Healing Through EFT: No More Chronic Salivary Gland Inflammation, Diabetes, Stomach Issues, or Sciatica

Ms. Vu Thi Bao, from Son Tay, Hanoi, was a student of the "Igniting a New Vitality" course. After learning and practicing EFT methods and therapeutic self-hypnosis, she shared that her health had seen many clear changes: years of knee joint pain significantly reduced, her left shoulder became more comfortable, swelling and inflammation of lymph nodes in the neck area subsided, stomach pain improved, her back and neck felt lighter, sciatica reduced numbness and heaviness, and her blood sugar levels became more stable according to her own monitoring.

The video from the "Igniting a New Vitality" class on August 15, 2015, captured her sharing after about 4 months of applying the methods. This is one of the stories showing that when learners practice regularly, seriously, and learn to observe their bodies, mind-body methods can become very valuable supportive tools in daily life.

Knee joint pain for 16–17 years and the feeling of never being pain-free

Ms. Bao shared that her two knee joints had been painful for 16–17 years. The aching pain occurred year-round, almost never stopping. Sometimes the pain was so severe that she had to drag her leg, and her left shoulder also ached in response. For her, for more than a decade there were only two states: moderate pain or severe pain, never truly feeling pain-free.

Right in the class, after the first practice session, she still felt some slight pain in her leg. By the second practice session, she began to feel a clearer change: her leg was comfortable, no longer aching as before, and her left shoulder also felt lighter and more pleasant.

For someone who has lived with chronic pain for many years, a moment when the body feels lighter can create a very great sense of hope. Prolonged pain not only damages the body but also causes the patient to gradually lose their sense of freedom, lose confidence in movement, and always have to be cautious with every step.

Multiple simultaneous conditions: polyarthritis, swollen lymph nodes, stomach pain, half-body numbness

Before attending the course, Ms. Bao shared that she had multiple health issues at the same time. She suffered from polyarthritis, inflammation of the salivary glands or swelling on both sides of her neck resembling mumps, had been examined many times and taken medication, but the pain returned about every month. She had come down to Hanoi to prepare for surgery, visiting many hospitals including the Institute of Odonto-Stomatology, the Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital, and then Bach Mai Hospital.

At the time she learned about the "Igniting a New Vitality" course, she was in a very exhausted state. She had a prolonged fever, with chills every two days, had to inhale herbal steam, was weakened, and even had to drink ginseng to have enough energy to sit in class. Before Tet, she also had stomach bleeding, with her abdomen swelling as large as a mango. Additionally, she had suffered from numb shoulders and numb hands for many years, and sciatica caused numbness in her leg and heaviness on one side of her body.

This is not a story of a single symptom. It is a condition of compounded health issues, leaving the body constantly tired, in pain, heavy, and uneasy.

Initially not very trusting, but decided to try the class anyway

Ms. Bao recounted that when she went to class, she didn't trust it very much. Her reason for attending was simple: because she had so many illnesses, she decided to just give it a try.

This is a very real psychology of many long-term patients. When they have been to many places, taken many medications, heard many pieces of advice, and still haven't found relief, patients feel both hope and doubt. They fear more disappointment, but also don't want to miss an opportunity that might help them get better.

In class, by the second day, she began to feel that one side of her body had become completely lighter, no longer as numb and heavy as before. From that day on, she no longer felt half-body numbness. After finishing the course, she went home, followed the Teacher's guidance, focused on practicing the "tapping" EFT method, and continued to monitor her body.

Two swollen lumps in the neck area subsided

One of the changes that Ms. Bao noticed was the two swollen lumps in her neck area. She shared that after practicing, the two "lumps" on her neck disappeared without her noticing exactly when; they were no longer swollen, no longer painful as before, although when pressing deeply she could still feel them.

For conditions such as swollen lymph nodes, salivary gland inflammation, neck lumps, or persistent swelling, patients need to be evaluated by ear-nose-throat, dental, endocrine, or oncology specialists depending on the case. EFT, self-hypnosis, and deep relaxation methods may support stress reduction, soothe discomfort, and help learners take better care of their bodies, but they do not replace medical examination, lab tests, ultrasound, biopsy, or medical treatment when necessary.

Fever stopped after returning from the course

Ms. Bao also shared that after returning from the course, her fever did not reappear as before. For her, this was a very welcome change, because previously her body was constantly tired, had periodic chills and fever, and she had to use herbal steam and many other methods to cope.

Prolonged or recurring fever is a sign that requires medical examination to find the cause. However, during the recovery process, when stress decreases, sleep improves, mental state stabilizes, and the patient takes more consistent care of themselves, the body may feel lighter and healthier. It should be understood cautiously that changes after practice are personal experiences and should not be used to replace diagnosis of the cause of fever.

Monitoring diabetes indicators after the course

Ms. Bao shared that previously her blood sugar levels were erratic, sometimes 8.0, sometimes 7.0. After learning and practicing, in the first month her level dropped to 6.6, in the second month to 6.0, in the third month still around 6.0. When she went for additional blood tests, she was very happy because her doctor friend said that such a drop was very good.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires serious monitoring. The CDC describes diabetes as a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin as effectively as normal, leading to high blood sugar; if not well managed, diabetes can cause complications affecting the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes, and many other organs. (CDC) [https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html]

In Ms. Bao's story, the improvement in blood sugar levels should be understood as a personal experience linked to her practice process, stress reduction, self-care, and health monitoring. People with diabetes should not stop medication or treatment without a doctor's guidance. The NIDDK emphasizes that diabetes management typically requires a combination of blood sugar monitoring, diet, physical activity, prescribed medications if any, and regular medical care. (NIDDK) [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes]

Stomach pain, back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and sciatica

After 3 months of learning and practicing, Ms. Bao felt her health improving, her body more comfortable. She said she recovered from 3–4 conditions at once: stomach pain and swelling resolved, her abdomen no longer swollen like a mango, back pain gone, neck pain gone, joints significantly less painful, sciatica no longer making one side of her body heavy as before.

Stomach pain, back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and sciatica can have many different causes. Some causes are related to inflammation, degeneration, nerve compression, digestive disorders, stress, posture, sleep, nutrition, or conditions requiring specialist treatment. Therefore, mind-body methods should be viewed as supportive approaches to help learners reduce stress, soothe pain perception, improve sleep, increase mobility, and enhance quality of life.

NCCIH states that relaxation techniques can help produce the body's relaxation response, usually accompanied by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and calmer heart rate. Techniques mentioned include progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, guided imagery, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, and breathing exercises. (NCCIH) [https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-what-you-need-to-know]

EFT and therapeutic self-hypnosis

In the course, Ms. Bao practiced EFT and therapeutic self-hypnosis. EFT is commonly understood as a method combining naming an issue, focusing on the emotion or symptom present, using a setup phrase, and gently tapping on certain points on the body. In the course context, EFT was used as a tool to help learners self-soothe emotions, reduce stress, observe symptoms, and support the body in entering a more stable state.

Therapeutic self-hypnosis helps learners bring themselves into a state of relaxation, focus, and receptivity to positive suggestions. When the body relaxes, breathing becomes more regular, the nervous system is less vigilant, muscles are less tense, and the mind is less caught up in fear, some people may perceive reduced pain, better sleep, and a lighter body.

NCCIH states that hypnosis has been studied in many contexts such as pain, pre-procedure anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal symptoms, headaches, PTSD, and smoking cessation; the level of evidence varies by condition, and hypnosis should be understood as a supportive method rather than a replacement for medical treatment. (NCCIH) [https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hypnosis]

Why can stress make illness worse?

Stress is not the sole cause of disease, but stress can make many symptoms worse. When stress persists, the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active, muscles tense, sleep worsens, digestion becomes more easily disturbed, blood sugar may be harder to stabilize, pain perception may increase, and the patient may fall into a cycle of anxiety – pain – insomnia – fatigue.

When learners are guided to relax, breathe slowly, use self-hypnosis, EFT, and positive suggestions, the body has an opportunity to step out of a prolonged state of tension. This does not mean that organic pathology automatically disappears, but it can help the body become less tense, help the learner become less fearful, sleep better, take more consistent self-care, and cooperate better with the treatment process.

The greatest value: knowing how to practice on your own

What is valuable in Ms. Bao's story is that she not only perceived changes in class but also brought the methods home and practiced consistently for many months. After finishing the course, she focused on healing by practicing EFT as guided, monitoring her body, tracking her blood sugar, and observing each change.

Mind-body methods cannot be heard once and then left aside. They need to be practiced. The body needs time to learn how to relax. The nervous system needs time to become accustomed to a state of safety. The mind needs time to change its habit of fear. Learners need time to turn techniques into self-care reflexes.

Excerpt from Ms. Vu Thi Bao's reflection

"My two knee joints have been painful for 16–17 years now, I have had constant aching pain all year round and have never known what it feels like to be pain-free."

"After the first practice session, I still felt a slight ache in my leg, but by the second practice session, I felt completely comfortable and no longer had leg pain."

"For more than ten years, I have never been pain-free, only moderate pain or severe pain."

"I have many illnesses: polyarthritis, inflammation of the salivary glands with swelling on both sides like mumps."

"When I learned, I didn't trust it very much. I listened until the second day, then I felt one side of my body become completely light, no longer numb and heavy."

"Those two lumps on my neck disappeared without me noticing when, no longer swollen, no longer painful as before, when pressing deeply I can still feel them, but they no longer hurt like before."

"After 3 months of attending Teacher Quan's class, my health has improved, I feel much more comfortable."

"I feel like I have recovered from 3–4 diseases at once."

Who might be interested in this course?

The "Igniting a New Vitality" course is suitable for people who want to learn mind-body self-care methods, especially when dealing with issues such as prolonged stress, insomnia, body aches, chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, tension, negative emotions, or wanting additional supportive tools alongside medical treatment.

The course is also suitable for family caregivers, elderly people who are still able to practice, people who do intensive mental work, those who frequently experience pressure, and anyone who wants to better understand the relationship between emotions, body, sleep, pain, and overall health.

Scientific and safety note

The content of this article is the personal reflection of a student after the course and her own practice process. Results may vary depending on the individual, medical history, cause of symptoms, severity of condition, medications being taken, diet, exercise, sleep, ability to practice, and medical follow-up.

Methods such as EFT, self-hypnosis, deep relaxation, positive suggestions, and emotion regulation should be understood as tools to support mind-body health. They do not replace medical examination, lab tests, diagnostic imaging, medication, surgery, diabetes treatment, digestive treatment, musculoskeletal treatment, infection treatment, or emergency care when necessary.

People with diabetes should not stop medication or change their treatment protocol without a doctor's guidance. People with swollen lymph nodes, swollen salivary glands, prolonged fever, stomach bleeding, severe abdominal pain, abnormal blood sugar, half-body numbness or weakness, severe sciatica, prolonged joint pain, or progressive symptoms should seek timely specialist medical evaluation.

Course information

Related course: Haruva – Igniting a New Vitality

Orientation: EFT, self-hypnosis, deep relaxation, stress reduction, pain perception support, emotion stabilization, mind-body health care

Instructor: Hypnosis Expert Nguyen Manh Quan

Suitable for: People with stress-related body aches, insomnia, tension, anxiety, low energy, wanting to learn self-care methods and support emotion stabilization

Hotline: 0904.606.965

Email: chualanhkhongdungthuoc@gmail.com

References

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/index.html

- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetes Overview. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes

- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Relaxation Techniques: What You Need To Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-what-you-need-to-know

- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Hypnosis. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hypnosis

Under the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, the center trains special methods to improve health, prevent and support treatment of physical and mental issues, and provides training in learning methods, thinking, and applied psychology for communication, business, negotiation, and sales.

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