UCSD Wellness Center Uses TAT for Cancer Patients

Editor’s note: Chris Lewis is a student in the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT) Certification Program and works as a physician’s assistant at the University of California San Diego )UCSD) Wellness Clinic. He forwarded this note to Tapas Fleming, and we thought you’d enjoy reading it. It’s a beautiful demonstration of how energy psychology (in this case, TAT) helps people heal.

And here’s a note from Tapas – “I missed seeing each and every one of you at the ACEP conference this year and send love, hugs and affection. I look forward to seeing you next year!”

To Whom It May Concern:

On January 15, 2014, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. During my treatment at UCSD, I met Chris Lewis, P.A. in the Encinitas Oncology Department. At an appointment for a new cancer fear in March 2015, Chris introduced me to the concept of TAT and I immediately signed up. The results have been unimaginable. I don’t have the words to convey how effective and life changing this work has been for me. Life long beliefs and behavior patterns that have caused me distress, and have limited my life, have almost vanished as if by magic. I have had more joy in my life. I have less stress. My physical health, as well as my emotional and psychological health, have improved in ways I had not expected. My relationships with everyone, those close to me and those with whom I only have a passing interaction, have improved. I am more optimistic. I have been able to tackle difficult projects that I have put off. I have more hope that I will be physically healthy.

Additionally, since I have been a child, my posture has been poor. I do not have scoliosis or a physical deformity, but was required to wear a brace for a year when I was about 10 years old. Over the years, I have had physical therapy, yoga, chiropractic, and osteopathic therapies but none have afforded me any significant improvement. I had not mentioned my posture issue to Chris, nor did I have any expectation that TAT would affect it. However, inexplicably to me, after one of my TAT sessions, I could feel that my posture was different. It had improved. It was not my imagination. It has remained improved for over a month and has been noted by my husband, long time friends who hadn’t seen me for years, and my medical team. This is a very significant physical change for me. I stand straighter. My breathing is better since I can expand my lungs more. I see more since my eyes look up instead of down. I walk with more confidence and feel that my balance is also better. This is just one of the unexpected gifts of my TAT treatment.  

I am so grateful that UCSD offers TAT and that there is the acceptance of the fact that when a patient is physically ill, attention and services need to be available to address their emotional and psychological health as well. I am even more grateful that UCSD is aware that psychotropic medication is not the answer to all emotional needs that arise from a cancer diagnosis. Even after “active” treatment is over, a cancer diagnosis leaves its imprint where it may not be visible. My TAT experience has healed me in ways I cannot express but, on a daily basis, it has given me peace, strength, and optimism beyond my understanding.