Clinical EFT (emotional freedom techniques) combines fingertip stimulation of acupuncture points (acupressure) with elements drawn from cognitive and exposure therapies. Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of EFT for depression, anxiety, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological conditions. The current study was designed to measure whether acupressure is an active ingredient in EFT, or whether its effects are due to its cognitive and exposure elements, or factors common to all therapies like sympathetic attention and belief in a positive outcome. In this study, 37 participants with "frozen shoulder" consisting of limited range of motion (ROM) and pain were randomized into a wait list, or 1 of 2 treatment groups. ROM, pain, and psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression were assessed before and after a 30-min treatment session, and 30 days later. One treatment group received clinical EFT, while the other received all the elements of EFT but with diaphragmatic breathing (DB) substituted for acupressure. No statistically significant improvement (1 possibility in 20) in any psychological symptom was found in the wait list group. After treatment, participants in the both the EFT and DB groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in psychological symptoms and pain. Follow-up showed that both groups maintained their gains for pain, with EFT superior to DB, but only the EFT group maintained their gains for psychological symptoms. Statistically large EFT treatment effects were found for anxiety, pain, and depression. ROM changes were not statistically significant for most measures in any of the groups. The EFT group showed a significant association between reductions in psychological distress and pain. The results are consistent with 5 earlier studies showing that acupressure is an active ingredient in EFT treatment and not an inert ingredient or a placebo. The study adds further support to other clinical trials indicating that clinical EFT is an evidence-based and effective treatment for pain and psychological conditions.