Preparing for a Medical Procedure with EMDR, Brainspotting, and Tapping
Facing a medical procedure—whether it’s a surgery, diagnostic test, or ongoing treatment—can stir up a wave of emotions. Worry, fear, and even past trauma can surface, making the experience more distressing than it needs to be. But practices like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting, and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques or “tapping”), can significantly reduce emotional distress and increase your sense of control and calm before a procedure.
Why Emotional Preparation Matters
Medical interventions don’t just affect the body—they affect the mind. Pre-procedure worries can lead to:
- Elevated blood pressure and heart rate
- Increased pain sensitivity
- Poorer outcomes during recovery
- Avoidance of necessary medical care
Emotional preparedness can shift the experience from something overwhelming to something manageable, and even empowering.
EMDR: Reprocessing Fear from Past Experiences
EMDR helps reprocess distressing memories so they lose their emotional intensity. If you’ve had negative medical experiences in the past—such as a painful surgery, complications, or feeling out of control in a hospital—these memories can resurface with new procedures. Through guided bilateral stimulation (like eye movements or tapping), EMDR helps your brain “digest” these past events and reduces their emotional charge. You’re not just talking about the trauma—you’re reprocessing it at a neurological level. This can:
- Decrease anticipatory fears
- Increase your ability to advocate for yourself
- Create space for neutral or even positive expectations
Example: A person with a past experience of panic during a blood draw might revisit this memory in EMDR therapy. After several sessions, they may no longer feel the same fear, and can approach an upcoming procedure with a sense of calm confidence.
Brainspotting: Accessing the Root of Somatic Activation
Brainspotting taps into the brain-body connection. It uses specific eye positions to locate where distress is “held” in the body and brain, allowing the individual to process that emotion directly—without needing to analyze or retell the entire story. This is particularly useful when medical worry doesn’t seem to be tied to a clear past trauma but is deeply felt in the body (tight chest, clenched jaw, shallow breathing).
Benefits of Brainspotting before a medical procedure:
- Quieting the nervous system
- Building tolerance for uncertainty
- Creating space for emotional regulation during procedures
Example: Someone who feels an intense but vague dread before MRIs can use brainspotting to locate and reduce this somatic fear, often without needing to “explain” where it came from.
Tapping (EFT): Calming the Nervous System in Real Time
Emotional Freedom Techniques, or tapping, involve gently tapping on acupressure points while verbalizing distressing thoughts or emotions. It’s like acupuncture without needles and acts as a desensitization therapy. Tapping can be used before, during, or after a medical procedure to:
- Reduce fear in real-time
- Promote a sense of grounding
- Empower you with a self-regulation tool you can use independently
Example: While waiting in a hospital room, tapping on specific points while repeating phrases like “Even though I’m scared, I deeply and completely accept myself” can quickly reduce cortisol levels and enhance a feeling of safety.
Integrating These Therapies Into Your Medical Experience
If you have an upcoming procedure:
- Start therapy a few weeks in advance, if possible, to allow time to process emotions and practice regulation tools.
- Use tapping as a daily practice in the days leading up to your appointment.
- Communicate with your care team about what helps you feel better—whether it’s headphones, extra time, or a particular request regarding the procedure.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a medical procedure is not just about logistics and lab work—it’s about preparing your whole self. When emotional and psychological readiness meets medical care, outcomes often improve. Whether you carry trauma from past medical events or simply feel worried about the unknown, therapies like EMDR, Brainspotting, and tapping offer powerful tools to help you face the experience with more peace, clarity, and resilience. You are not overreacting—you are being human. And there are ways to support that humanity through every step of your healing path.