Hi Clinicserver,

I understand your point of view and respect your beliefs. I think emotions ahve a large part to play in how we move and execute our motor patterns.

From a scientific point of view, the levels of evidence are:

Level 1 - Systematic review of all relevant randomised controlled studies (RCTs)
Level 2 - Well conducted RCT
Level 3 - Well designed trials with aspects of good RCTs missing - e.g. randomisation
Level 4 - Opinions of respected practitioners, clinical experience, case studies etc

We are currently trying to increase the number of quality Level 2 evidence we have so that the Level 1 evidence improves as well...currently there are more systematic reviews on back pain than there are RCTs!!!

With respect to my objection to EFT improving ALL restricted range-of-motion (ROM) issues, i still stand by it because i think that EFT only deals with a subgroup of patients who have restricted ROM - that is, the cause of their restriction is able to be dealt with by using EFT.

For example, restrictions in ROM can be from non-contractile tissue. We know that non-contractile tissue is unable to be changed without a change in the physical loading of the tissue - either external or internal forces. By changing the muscular forces using EFT, you may be able to help these people. However, sometimes it is not the muscle tesion causing these restrictions. I have a patient with an ACL reconstruction. She had done everything right. however, we wouldn't get her last 10degrees of extension at the knee, no matter what. I relayed this to her surgeon who went back in and confirmed our suspicion - she had a 'cyclops lesion' which is where the stump of the old ligament was blocking the ROM. Now, with all respect, i don't think EFT was going to help her out there.

There are also bony reasons why ROM can be restricted over time. The development of osteophytes can lead to gradual decreases in ROM and postural changes etc. Again, i don't think EFT will help these people.

The lists of conditions can go on and on.

I think something that deals with a person's emotions and psychology - be it traditional or alternative - is useful for a lot of our patients. However, i think it is only responsible NOT to sell our patients false hopes by saying "ALL restricted ROM issues" can be improved with EFT - it is simply not true at this stage given the body of evidence that we have. I am not saying that it doesn't work, just that it works in patients who have been carefully selected and classified - much like the rest of our physiotherapy treatment!

Thanks