Tapping on the Diagnosis

There are few things more terrifying than going to the doctor for a potentially life-changing diagnosis. In fact, the only thing worse might be actually getting the bad news you’ve been dreading.

Things can get complicated at this point. Very often, the stress and worry that accompanies your diagnosis can have just as big an impact on your overall health as the illness or injury you’re facing. As such, it’s crucial that you find a way to deal with it.

In my book, “The Tapping Solution: A Revolutionary System for Stress-Free Living,” I share many Tapping routines to help you deal with common issues so many of us face, one of them being a script to help you deal with a scary diagnosis. Here, I’m presenting an extended version of that script to help you release the negative swirl of emotions surrounding your health.

Tapping varies for everyone: some people just need to do a few rounds to clear the negative emotions that have them all wound up; others need a few more rounds. Whichever the case is for you, it’s always great to go deeper and longer. As you do, take note of any unexpected thoughts or feelings that arise. These can often be used to help you clear your negative attachment to incidents or emotions buried in your unconscious mind that may have been tripping you up without you even knowing it! You’ll also find many more extended tapping sessions here on our blog, our articles site, or in the Tapping Insider’s Club. Please explore, and keep tapping!

– Nick Ortner

In the book, I recommend starting your Tapping by using a “check-in” phrase to determine if this particular issue is something you need to work on. The check-in phrase for this routine will vary depending on what you’ve been diagnosed with, but it would be something along the lines of I have [name what you’ve been diagnosed with] and there’s very little I can do about it.

Essentially, you want to acknowledge what the doctor says you have. More importantly, you want to address your beliefs surrounding this diagnosis.

How do you feel when you say this check-in phrase? Rate your discomfort on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being “absolutely true” and 0 being “not at all true.” If your truth level is a 5 or more, then this is definitely an issue you want to tackle.

For this routine, we’ll use a diagnosis of a slipped disc as an example, but make sure to use whatever you’ve been diagnosed with when you’re Tapping. Start at the karate chop point:

Karate Chop: Even though I have a slipped disc, I deeply love and accept myself.
Karate Chop: Even though I have a slipped disc, I completely love and accept myself.
Karate Chop: Even though I have a slipped disc, I totally love and accept myself.

Eyebrow: This slipped disc . . .
Side of Eye: This slipped disc in my back . . .
Under Eye: It’s throbbing and painful . . .
Under Nose: The doctors told me I have a slipped disc . . .
Chin: The doctors told me it would always hurt . . .
Collarbone: The doctors told me it would eventually need surgery . . .
Under Arm: The doctors told me it was degenerating and would likely get worse . . .
Top of Head: The only way the pain goes away is if I take pain medication.

Back to the Eyebrow:

Eyebrow: I believe I’ll have this forever and it will only get worse . . .
Side of Eye: This slipped disc in my back . . .
Under Eye: This painful slipped disc . . .
Under Nose: This throbbing, red-hot pain . . .
Chin: I believe it will only get worse . . .
Collarbone: I believe what the doctors told me about my back . . .
Under Arm: The only way the pain goes away is if I take pain medication . . .
Top of Head: This painful slipped disc.

Take a deep breath and check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Rate your feeling on the 0 to 10 scale. Return to the eyebrow. You want to keep tapping until the worry and frustration with your diagnosis has reduced considerably.

Eyebrow: I don’t even know if the medication will work. . .
Side of Eye: I don’t want to get surgery. . .
Under Eye: What if something goes wrong?
Under Nose: What if the surgeons make a mistake?
Chin: I could never afford it. . .
Collarbone: I’m just going to have to live with this pain. . .
Underarm: I don’t want to take medication, but I have to. . .
Top of Head: I don’t know what I’m going to do. . .

Eyebrow: This is going to affect my life in so many ways. . .
Side of Eye: Nothing’s going to be the same anymore. . .
Under Eye: I’m so depressed about this. . .
Under Nose: I can’t believe it. . .
Chin: I just wish I didn’t have a slipped disc. . .
Collarbone: I feel so wounded and weak. . .
Underarm: It’s all downhill from here. . .
Top of Head: I wish I were well again. . .

Keep repeating this routine until your frustration and fear don’t bother you as much. Once you’ve reached a level of calm that you feel satisfied with, move on to the positive rounds below.

Eyebrow: I can fight this. . .
Side of Eye: It means I have some work to do, but I choose to do it. . .
Under Eye: I’ve been making it much worse in my head. . .
Under Nose: My mood affects how well I feel. . .
Chin: My slipped disc doesn’t have to change my life for good. . .
Collarbone: I can even get a second opinion. . .
Underarm: Even if I have a slipped disc, I might not ever need surgery. . .
Top of Head: I might not need as much medication as I’m thinking. . .

Eyebrow: I need to look after myself better. . .
Side of Eye: I choose to look after myself better. . .
Under Eye: There are different ways I can address my pain. . .
Under Nose: I might consider some alternative therapies. . .
Chin: I might see another doctor. . .
Collarbone: I can deal with this. . .
Under Arm: My diagnosis does not define me. . .
Top of Head: I choose to believe I can heal. . .

Take a deep breath . . . and let it go.