If you've been wondering can I do Access Bars on myself, the short answer is a resounding yes, though the experience is definitely a little different than when someone else does it for you. It's one of those questions that pops up the moment someone hears about the 32 points on the head that supposedly "delete" the junk mail in your brain. You think, Hey, I have hands and I have a head, so why wouldn't I just do it myself?
It's a fair question. In a world where we're all trying to be more self-sufficient and find ways to de-stress without booking a three-week retreat, the idea of "self-Barring" is pretty attractive. But before you start poking around your temples, let's talk about how it works, why you might want to do it, and why you still might want to get on someone else's massage table every now and then.
Why you might want to try a self-session
The most obvious reason people ask can I do Access Bars on myself is convenience. Life happens. Sometimes it's 2:00 AM, your brain won't shut up about a conversation you had in 2014, and there isn't exactly a practitioner on speed dial ready to come over and hold your head. In those moments, knowing how to run your own Bars is like having a mental emergency kit.
It's also great for those times when you feel a bit of "energetic " funk coming on. Maybe you just walked out of a stressful meeting or you're feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list. Instead of letting that stress snowball, you can just take ten minutes, find a few points, and let some of that pressure valve release.
How does it actually work when you're the one doing it?
In a standard Access Bars session, you're usually laying down, totally relaxed, while someone else lightly touches various points on your head. These points correspond to different areas of life—like money, control, creativity, aging, and healing. The idea is that these touches help release the electromagnetic charge of thoughts, feelings, and emotions that keep you stuck.
When you do it yourself, the theory remains the same. You're still stimulating those points. You don't need any special equipment, and you don't even need to be perfectly precise. The energy follows your intent. If you're thinking about the "Money" bars and you've got your fingers roughly in the right spot, it's going to work.
Finding the points on your own
One of the trickiest parts about doing Access Bars on yourself is the physical logistics. If you've ever tried to hold your arms above your head for twenty minutes, you know that "relaxed" isn't exactly the word that comes to mind. Your shoulders start to ache, your elbows get tired, and suddenly you're more focused on your bicep cramp than your mental clarity.
If you're going to try it, I highly recommend lying down and using pillows. Prop your elbows up so your hands can reach your head without your muscles having to do all the heavy lifting.
You can focus on just a few points rather than trying to do the whole "sequence" that a practitioner would do. The Implant Band (which is behind the ears) is a great one to start with because it's easy to reach and helps clear out the thoughts and beliefs that aren't even yours.
The difference between giving and receiving
This is the big "but" in the conversation. While you can do it yourself, Access Consciousness (the organization behind the Bars) emphasizes that a huge part of the process is about the "gift of receiving."
Most of us are really, really bad at receiving. We're great at doing, fixing, helping, and managing. We're even okay at "self-care" when it feels like a task. But just lying there and letting someone else contribute to us? That's actually a challenge for a lot of people.
When you run your own Bars, you're still in "doing" mode. You're the one initiating the session, you're the one holding the points, and you're the one monitoring the time. You're still "on." When someone else does it for you, your brain gets to drop into those deep theta waves—the state right before sleep—where the real heavy-duty clearing happens.
Think of it like giving yourself a massage. You can rub your own shoulders and it feels okay. It might even get rid of a knot. But it's never going to feel the same as lying on a table while a professional works on you. There's a level of surrender that only happens when you aren't the one in charge.
Making self-sessions part of your routine
So, if you've decided that you're going to try it, how do you make it effective?
First, don't get hung up on the "right" way to do it. If you spend the whole time worrying if your finger is half an inch too high, you're just creating more mental noise, which is exactly what you're trying to get rid of. Just relax.
I've found that running the Implant Band while falling asleep is one of the easiest ways to do a self-session. It's a very natural position for your hands anyway, and it helps quiet the "monkey mind" before bed.
Another great trick is to use the Access Clearing Statement alongside the hand positions. If you're not familiar with it, it's that weird string of words (Right and Wrong, Good and Bad, POD and POC) that acts like a magic wand for your brain. Using them together can really kick the self-session up a notch.
When should you definitely see a practitioner?
Even if you get really good at doing your own Bars, there are times when you should definitely book a session with someone else.
- When you're stuck in a loop: If you've been "self-Barring" for a week and you're still feeling like you're hitting a wall, you need a fresh set of hands. Another person's energy can often bypass the defenses your own mind has set up.
- When you're exhausted: If you're truly burnt out, the last thing you need is another "to-do." Go lie down and let someone else do the work.
- When you want a breakthrough: There's something about the dynamic of two people that creates a different energetic space. If you're looking for a big shift in your life, receiving is usually the way to go.
Is it worth doing it yourself?
Totally. Even if it's only "50% as effective" (though who's really measuring?), 50% of a brain-clear is still a lot better than 0%.
If you're someone who struggles with anxiety or just has a very busy internal monologue, being able to put your hands on your head and find a moment of peace is a superpower. It's about taking ownership of your own energy.
I know some people who run their Bars every single morning for ten minutes before they get out of bed. They say it's better than coffee. They feel clearer, less reactive, and more ready to handle whatever the day throws at them.
The final verdict
So, can I do Access Bars on myself? Yes, and you probably should try it. It's a fantastic tool to have in your back pocket. It's free, it's always available, and it's a great way to get to know your own body and energy.
Just don't let it be the only way you experience the Bars. There is a world of difference between "managing" your stress and truly "receiving" a session that changes your perspective. Use the self-sessions for maintenance, for late nights, and for quick resets. But every once in a while, find a local practitioner, get on the table, and just let yourself be.
At the end of the day, Access Bars is about making life easier. If doing it yourself makes your life easier, go for it. If trying to reach your head makes you more stressed, skip it and find a trade partner. There's no "wrong" way to use these tools—the only mistake is not using them at all when they could be helping you feel a bit more like yourself.