Health

Living Fully With Chronic Illness

This isn't the life you planned. The constant management, the invisible symptoms, the grief for your healthy self. Chronic illness is exhausting—physically, emotionally, socially. These are stories from people who found Tapping to be a companion in the long journey of living with ongoing conditions.

40% Avg. Stress Reduction
1.8M+ Sessions Completed

The Science: How Chronic Stress Worsens Chronic Illness

Your nervous system doesn't distinguish between physical threat and psychological stress. When you're anxious about a flare, frustrated with your limitations, or grieving your old life, your body releases the same stress hormones as if you were being chased by a predator—cortisol, adrenaline, inflammatory cytokines. For someone with a chronic condition, this creates a vicious cycle: illness causes stress, stress worsens illness.

Research shows that chronic stress increases inflammation throughout the body, suppresses immune function, interferes with sleep (critical for healing), and can directly trigger or worsen symptoms in many conditions—from autoimmune flares to IBS episodes to pain amplification. Your emotional state isn't separate from your physical condition; they're part of the same system.

Tapping works on this system directly. By stimulating acupressure points while focusing on specific stressors, it sends calming signals to the amygdala (your brain's threat detector) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Studies show Tapping can reduce cortisol by 24-43% in a single session. For someone with a chronic condition, this isn't just about feeling calmer—it's about breaking the stress-symptom cycle and giving your body the physiological environment it needs to manage your condition more effectively.

Not a cure, but support: We're careful not to promise that Tapping will cure chronic conditions. It won't. What it can do is help you live better with your condition—managing stress that worsens symptoms, processing grief, and finding moments of peace in difficult circumstances.

Real Results

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Sandra

Chronic Lyme -> Finding lasting relief

"I've been dealing with chronic Lyme for some time with parasitic infections as well so all this pain is pretty common place for me. I tried to take a nap but the pain was too intense. So, I pulled out your book to read to distract me primarily focused on how I could use this in my own work."

Sandra discovered Tapping at a live event where she watched the amazing results of three women on stage. Two days later, on an Amtrak home to NYC, her sciatica started acting up along with her usual gut pain.

"Pain that has been constant every day since July had in a few minutes gone from an 8 to about a 2 if that. There has been a permanent shift here and there is no doubt that this is on a way to a resolution on a bigger level than I could have hoped for."
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Siobhan

Pituitary tumor, Addison's Disease -> Finding peace

"About fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumour and soon underwent surgery. Recovery was complicated, but I was determined to push through. Over the months and years that followed, my health faced several setbacks. One of the hardest moments was learning that, due to my health, we wouldn't be able to have children of our own."

Siobhan's journey included secondary Addison's Disease, two serious adrenal crises, and pandemic-triggered panic attacks. She discovered Tapping four years ago.

"Tapping frees me from those thoughts—enough to help me get out of the house on my own, walk with a friend, visit shops, and attend doctor's appointments. These are big steps for me. Tapping has been a gift, and I just wanted to say thank you."
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Andra

Brain tumor diagnosis -> Coping with treatment

"I started using The Tapping Solution three years ago, after I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. For three years this app has been one of my lifelines, and it has helped me cope with the surgeries, the radiotherapy and chemotherapy."

Andra, from Romania, faced one of the most challenging diagnoses imaginable. Now in remission, she still struggles with PTSD and was left with structural epilepsy from her treatment journey.

"This app has been one of my lifelines."

Living With Chronic Illness

Good days and bad: Tap on good days to build resilience; tap on bad days to cope. Both are needed.

Process the emotions: Grief, anger, fear, frustration—all appropriate for chronic illness. Don't suppress them; process them.

Pace yourself: Tapping can help you tune into your body's signals about what it can handle—and accept its limits.

Support Your Journey

These sessions are designed for living well with chronic conditions.

Living With Chronic Conditions 18 min Releasing Physical Pain 15 min
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Tapping help with chronic illness?

Tapping helps by reducing the chronic stress that worsens chronic illness symptoms. Stress increases inflammation, suppresses immune function, interferes with sleep, and can directly trigger or worsen symptoms. By calming the nervous system and reducing cortisol by 24-43%, Tapping helps break the stress-symptom cycle and creates better conditions for the body to manage illness.

Q: Can Tapping cure my chronic illness?

No, Tapping is not a cure for chronic conditions. What it can do is help you live better with your condition—managing stress that worsens symptoms, processing grief about your health, and finding moments of peace in difficult circumstances. It works alongside medical treatment as emotional and stress support.

Q: Why does stress make chronic illness worse?

Your nervous system doesn't distinguish between physical and psychological stress. When anxious about flares, frustrated with limitations, or grieving your old life, your body releases stress hormones that increase inflammation, suppress immune function, interfere with sleep, and can directly trigger symptoms. Your emotional state and physical condition are part of the same system.

Q: When should I tap - on good days or bad days?

Both. Tap on good days to build resilience and reduce overall stress levels. Tap on bad days to cope with symptoms and difficult emotions. Consistent practice helps more than crisis-only Tapping, but any Tapping is better than none.

Results Hub All results Autoimmune Specific conditions Chronic Pain Pain management Grief Loss & illness

Important Notice: The Tapping Solution App is intended for general wellness purposes, including stress management and emotional wellness support. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. If you have been diagnosed with a medical or mental health condition, please consult with your healthcare provider. This app is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.