While the practice of infant circumcision has been a controversial practice, it remains a common practice. Of high concern to many is possible pain and stress associated with the procedure for infants.
Below are two accounts of using EFT on infants undergoing circumcision. One of them is from Barbara Heffel, an RN who described her use of EFT with newborns in difficulty. The other is from Dr. Larry Stoler; a psychologist who used EFT with his 8-day old nephew during the latter’s circumcision.
Dr. Stoler, a long time EFT practitioner, was the first to ever report on the use of EFT during circumcision. He is also a specialist in the healing applications of Qi Gong. In a report sent to Gary Craig’s email list (reprinted with his and Gary’s permission) he describes what happened:
“I was attending my nephew’s bris (ritual circumcision) and was asked to play a significant role in the ceremony. I held the child, offered the wine dipped cloth to suck and was close to him during the ceremony.
For those who are unfamiliar, in Jewish practice, the bris is performed when the child is 8 days old. I decided to tap on my nephew throughout the procedure. Prior to giving the wine, if he became uncomfortable, I tapped on the eyebrow point, sang to him. I also told him I loved him. I tapped pretty much through the entire ceremony. He hardly cried at all. It was quite apparent to everyone there that this boy was unusually calm during the bris.
It was extremely moving to think we have a method to alleviate some of the discomfort of the circumcision. Imagine the healing this could lead to!”
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
It was extremely moving to think we have a method to alleviate some of the discomfort of the circumcision. Imagine the healing this could lead to!”
I fully agree with Larry Stoler’s comments. From time to time, immemorial family members, and others, have tried to comfort infants exposed to this procedure. They attempt to ease their pain and fear by talking to them and rocking them during the procedure. While certainly well meaning and sometimes helpful, these efforts are nevertheless not all that is required in many cases. The baby is all too often bewildered and distressed as evidenced by their heavy crying and body language.
EFT Used on Distressed Newborn Infants
Barbara Heffel, is an EFT practitioner and registered nurse at a birthing center (see EFT Used on Distressed Newborn Infants) . She has also used EFT on infants undergoing circumcision. Her results, while gratifying, were not quite as dramatic as when she used it with newborns in other situations. She believes this is a result of being periodically interrupted to perform medically necessary tasks such as giving the doctor clamps etc. while trying to attend to the baby during circumcision.
Repeatedly, this takes her away from focusing on the baby and momentarily breaks the deep intentional bond that she finds invaluable in working with infants. She does hope to learn to “divide her attention” to a degree so that the bond with the infant remains intact while she simultaneously performs the required tasks.
When she uses EFT with infants undergoing circumcision she rests her hand on their head and gently says to the baby (while tapping on the EFT points) such comforting things as:
“Stay in your body, this will be over soon.” “I know it really hurts and it will be over soon.” “We’re right here with you…” etc.
She feels she is able to convey to the babies the fact that she is closely with them, that they have an ally, and that whatever bodily memories may be created, they will at least have the component of being supported energetically through this process.
In Conclusion
While discussing this, we agreed that the ideal procedure would be to have two people attending to the baby during circumcision. One person holding the infant and talking to him reassuringly, while doing EFT, and the other attending to his medical necessities. Instituting a regular practice of using EFT during circumcision as part of this medical procedure could prove to be extremely beneficial. Hopefully, people whose baby will be circumcised, professionals involved with the procedure, or those otherwise in control of such situations, will make use of and inform others of this important option. It is obviously noninvasive and may be a major source of help to the child and to his future well being.
Dr. Pat Carrington, EFT Master
