BALANCE SYSTEM

- By Vivek Rane
 Balance System
Balance Method is a series of acupuncture systems rooted in the concept of healing the body
by balancing meridians.

 It was developed by Dr. Richard Tan, L.Ac., O.M.D.

 Based on TCM theory (Meridian theory)
 Neijing—-Contralateral Needling (Juci)

Balance Method is based on the most

fundamental principal of I Ching, indian
acupuncture and Taoist
Philosophy: Balance. In Ba Gua theory balance
can be found in many ways.
 Balance Method
Advantages
• Very simple and very effective method for treating all types of pain.
• Patients can often be treated sitting position no need of undressing.
• Instant relief and sustaining relief.
• Minimum use of needles no aggravation of pain in the local area.
• There is no need of using moxa and electronic stimulator.
• Neither history required about the disease nor constitutional
pathology of the body.
 The Channels of Acupuncture
In Chinese acupuncture anatomy, the internal organs of the body are all interconnected with one another by
pathways called meridians, which are located throughout the body.

In acupuncture we generally consider that there are 72 channels of

therapeutic importance:
• 12 Primary Meridians
• 12 Tendomuscular Meridians
• 12 Transversal Lo Vessels
• 12 Longitudinal Lo Vessels
• 12 Distinct (Divergent) Meridians
• 8 Extra (Ancestral) Vessels
• 3 Extra Longitudinal Lo Vessels
• 1 Huato Channel
Acupuncture Channel Summary
We have 12 bilateral Meridians. Thetwo special vessels (the Conception Vessel and the
Governor Vessel) are not bilateral. They are singular channels, which follow the midline of the
body, one in front and one on the back.
 Yin-Yang

Hand Tai yin lung Foot Tai yin Spleen

Hand Shao Yin Heart Foot Shao Yin kidney
Hand jue yin pericardium Foot jue yin Liver
Hand Tai yang small intestine Foot Tai yang Urinary bladder
Hand shao yang San jiao Foot shao yang Gall Bladder
Hand yang ming large intestine Foot yang ming Stomach
Circulation of Energy Through the Primary Meridians
 Applications

Balance Method Treatment & The Five Systems provide five different

approaches to determine which Meridian(s) should be needled. The five
systems achieve a dynamic balance by pairing meridians that are pre-
arranged in each particular system.
 System #1: The Chinese Anatomical Image system (Chinese meridian Name
sharing)

---Pairs channels with same Chinese meridian name

.
---Hand channels treat foot channels and vice versa.
---Yin channel treats for yin channel, and yang
treats yang .
---Treats contra lateral side (opposite side).
System 1: Chinese Meridian Name-Sharing In System 1 the sick meridian and the needled meridian have the same Chinese
meridian name, excluding Du and Ren. A hand channel balances a foot channel and vice versa. Yin channels balance yin
channels and yang channels balance yang channels. For example, a problem in the Hand Tai Yin channel (Lung) is balanced
by the Foot Tai Yin (Spleen) channel. Any two channels with the same Chinese meridian name balance each other.
Example for System 1

A patient presents with left-sided tennis elbow on Hand Yang Ming (Large
Intestine) in the area of LI 11. The needled meridian is Foot Yang Ming
(Stomach) on the right side. Point selection is accomplished by using the
Mirroring Format, as discussed in a later section. ST35, or an ashi point near
ST35, would be the appropriate knee point to treat the elbow pain.
 Treating left hip pain

Dr. Tan’s method Needle in SJ 14

 1. Identify “sick” meridian:
 Left hip Gall Bladder (GB 30)

 2. Determine treating or
 balancing meridian (s):
 Right arm San Jiao

 3. Determine the acupoint(s)

 Using the “mirror format”
 Palpate for “ashi” (tender) points
 Right arm SJ 14 was chosen
 Treating left hip pain

Dr. Tan’s method

 Needle left for 30-60 min.

Needle in SJ 14

 No electricity or moxa

 After treatment ?????????

System #2: The “Bie Jing” or
Branching Channel system
Needle same side
--Uses Yang channels to treat Yin channels
(and vice-versa).
--Uses Hand channels to treat Foot channels.
--If the condition treated is one-sided, Bie
Jing treats the selected point on the side that
elicits the most Ahshi sensitivity upon
palpation.
System 2: Bie-Jing/Branching Channels System 2 illustrates the mutual attraction of Tai Yin with Tai Yang, Jue
Yin with Yang Ming, and Shao Yin with Shao Yang. Hand channels are paired with foot channels and foot
channels are paired with hand channels. For example, Hand Shao Yang links with Foot Shao Yin. In this system,
yin channels balance yang channels and yang channels balance yin channels.
Example for System 2

A patient presents with a sprained ankle on Foot Shao Yang at GB40 on the
right side. The needled meridian is the Hand Shao Yin. The appropriate point
to use is HT7 on the right or left side. Needle the side that is more ashi .
Example for system2
System #3: The Interior/Exterior Relationship

--Treats opposite side.

--Treats Yin channels for Yang, Yang
channel for Yin.
--Treats the Zang-fu paired channel
(hand for hand, foot for foot).
System 3: Biao-Li or Interior/Exterior Pairs
System 3 represents the interior/exterior pairs that are easily recognized as the Zang Fu organ relationships. The needled meridian
is the Biao-Li counterpart to the sick meridian. For example, Liver treats Gall Bladder and Gall Bladder treats Liver. Yin channels
balance yang channels and yang channels balance yin channels. This is the only one of the Five Systems in which hand channels
pair with hand channels and foot channels pair with foot channels. For example, Lung treats Large Intestine and Large Intestine
treats Lung. Though the Biao-Li concept is familiar, needling the opposite side from the affected channel is not common
knowledge.
Example for System 3

A patient presents with left-sided knee pain on the Foot Jue Yin
channel at LV8. The needled meridian is Foot Shao Yang on the right
side. The appropriate point is GB34 using the Mirroring format.
Example for system 3
System #4: The Chinese Clock — Opposites

--Based on the Chinese Clock.

--Treats Yang channels for Yin channel
problems, Yin channels for Yang channel
problems.
--Treats hand channels for foot channel
problems and vice-versa.
--Depending on palpation and ahshi
findings, uses either opposite or same side
for treatment.
System 4: Chinese Clock Opposites System 4 uses the format of the Chinese Clock to locate the needled channel. The sick
meridian on one side of the clock pairs with the needled meridian on the opposite side. Traditionally, the flow of chi creates a
twelve hour difference between the clock pairs. For example, Liver time is between the hours of I :G0-3:00am. and Small Intestine
time is from I :G0- 3:00pm. Therefore, Foot Jue yin balances Hand Tai yang and vice versa. The pairs are opposite each other on
the Chinese Clock. The actual time of the acupuncture treatment is not considered in applying this system of the Balance Method.
The treatment is effective at any time. Yin meridians balance yang meridians and yang meridians balance yin meridians. Hand
channels are paired with foot channels and foot channels are paired with hand channels. Several pairs within the Chinese Clock
Opposites format overlap with System 2 (Bie-Jing, Branching Channels).
Example for System 4
A patient presents with pain along the Hand Tai Yang/Small Intestine channel at SI12-SI14
on the left scapula. The needled meridian is Foot Jue Yin/Liver channel on the left side or the
right side. Using the Imaging Format, the appropriate point is around LV4-LV5.
Example for system 4
System #5:  The Neighbour System

The pairings are always with the neighbour of the same polarity: Yang with Yang, Yin with Yin.
Thus, looking at the diagram of the clock above, the pairings are: (starting with the Hand-
Taiyang or SI channel),
 Small Intestine (SI), with Urinary Bladder (UB).
 Kidney (K), with Pericardium (P).
 San Jiao (SJ), with Gall Bladder (GB).
 Liver (Lv), with Lung (Lu).
 Large Intestine (LI), with Stomach (St).
 Spleen (Sp), with Heart (H).
System 5:

• Chinese Clock Neighbors System 5 uses the

arrangement of the neighbor system on the
Chinese Clock.

• Hand channels are paired with foot channels and

foot channels are paired with hand channels.

• Yin channels balance yin channels and yang

channels balance yang channels.

• For example, Hand Tai Yin treats Foot Jue Yin

and vice versa.

• Several Chinese Clock Neighbors overlap with

System 1 (Chinese Meridian Name-Sharing).

• The actual time of the acupuncture treatment is

not considered in applying this system of the
Balance Method. The treatment is effective at any
time.
Example for System 5

Patient presents with hepatitis on the Foot Jue Yin/Liver channel. The
needled meridian is Hand Tai Yin, the Lung meridian. The appropriate point
to needle is LU6 using the Imaging Format.
 To specify the area of Needling
Mirroring format
• The mirroring format is design to specify the area of the limb which will respond positively
• By using the five system we got the sick meridian
• Mirror the sick area to a corresponding anatomical location on the chosen meridian
• Ashi points
• In most cases mirroring format balance UL-LL or LL to UL exception System 3 UL -UL and LL-LL
MIRRORING AND LIMB MICROSYSTEMS
Case studies using the five system and
mirroring format
 Imaging format

• Imaging format images the sick area to a different area of the body.

• The head can balance limb vice versa trunk can balance limb vice versa.

• Imagine the sick area superimposed on the head trunk or limb, eg- if sick
area on face place the image of the face on the leg or arm,if head is superimposed
on the whole leg than eye level is located on the knee ( Achi pointS).

• With a few needles the whole body can be treated with a maltitude of combination
using the imaging format.
Image of the head Reverse Image of the head
to to
upper and lower limb upper and lower limb
Image of upper limb to hand and trunk Image of upper limb to hand and trunk
Case studies using the imaging format
 Lung
Meridian
Large Intestine
Meridian
Stomach
Meridian
 Spleen
Meridian
Heart Meridian
 Small
Intestine
Meridian
Urinary
Bladder
Meridian
Kidney
Meridian
Pericardium
Meridian
Sanjiao
Meridian
Gall Bladder
Meridian
 Liver
Meridian
Du Meridian
Ren Meridian
 YAN-SOURCE AND LUO-CONNECTING POINTS
• According to the traditional Chinese theory each Yang Meridian (Large Intestine , Stomach , Small
Intestine , Urinary Bladder , Sanjiao , Gall Bladder) has a related Yin Meridian (Lung , Spleen ,
Heart , Kidney , Pericardium and Liver).

• Yang Meridians are distributed externally while Yin Meridians are distributed internally. Thus
there are six couples of Meridians which are spread in parallel (exteriorly - interiorly related
Meridians).

• The Luo point is located proximal to the Yuan point and it doesn't belong to the Five Shu Points ,
but is a special point category.From there , starts the transverse Luo vessel which ends at the Yuan
point of the coupled Meridian.

• The longitudinal Luo vessel starts from the Luo point and running parallel to the Meridian ends
directly to the channel's internal Zang or Fu organ.When a channel is diseased , we can puncture
the Yuan point of the affected Meridian and the Luo point of its exteriorly - interiorly related
channel.The Yuan-source and the Luo-connecting.
 MERIDIAN YUAN POINT LUO POINT

Lung L9 L16
Large Intestine Li 4 L7
Stomach S 42 SP 4
Spleen SP 3 S40
Heart H7 SI 7
Small Intestine Si 4 H5
Urinary Bladder UB 64 K4
Kidney K3 UB 58
Pericardium P7 SJ 5
Sanjiao SJ 4 P6
Gall Bladder GB 40 LIV 5
Liver LIV 3 GB 37
Du Mai - DU 1
Ren Mai - REN 15
 Xi Cleft Points

• The Xi Cleft points, also called

the accumulation points, are
where the Qi and Blood of a
meridian pool.

• They are primarily at or near

the joints of the body.

• In treatment they are used

primarily for acute conditions,
especially pain, that involve
their related organs/channels.
ST 6 – Ghost Point
This point is perfect for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Patients with PTSD have
tendency to clench their jaw, so ST 6 acts as a jaw relaxer as well.

BL 62 – Ghost Point
In clinical practice I use Bl 62 for long standing childhood trauma related to sexual
abuse, leading to anxiety and/or depression as an adult.

Li 11 – Ghost Point
Li 11 clear heat and balance the digestive system. It’s used for patient who like to
be in control, and get diarrhea or suffers from IBS when they feel out of control.

SP 1 – Ghost Point Bleeding

SP 1 is generally used for patient who have poor body image and eat their feelings
(as in Bulimia).
PC 7 – Ghost Point
This acupuncture point is the protector of the heart, which makes it the perfect
point to needle for those who are emotionally upset (broken hearted) after the
break up of a relationship.

PC 8 – Ghost Point
This is a good point for patient who have lost a sense of self, are manic with
hallucinations, anxious and experience paranoia (Like in schizophrenia).

Lu 11 – Ghost Point
This acupuncture point is perfect, when a vow, contract, or an important
agreement is broken, and anger results. Good during or after a nasty divorce, or
a business partnership which goes sour.

Ren 1 – Ghost Point

For patient who are ashamed of their body and their sexuality, and especially for
women after childbirth, who suffers from urinary incontinence and low libido,
or can’t reach orgasm.
Ren 24 – Ghost Point
This is a great acupuncture point for people who are always worried and are
consumed by their dark thoughts for years. They don’t ever smile or laugh.

Du 16 – Ghost Point
Because of its location, Du 16 is often overlooked because it is deemed a
dangerous point. But it’s a good one for patient who resist change and are
inflexible. Du 23 – Ghost Point. For unresponsive people who have years of
phlegm misting the mind, and become catatonic, such as Alzheimer’s patients in
later stage.

Du 26 – Ghost Point
Often used for intergenerational trauma, which leads to spontaneous laughing with
no reason. Yin Tang – Ghost Point. This 13th Ghost point is controversial. In some
text, extra point Gui Feng (under the tongue) is deemed a Ghost point, but because
of its location, Yin Tang has been used instead. Both are used for enlightening the
mind, seeking knowledge and wisdom.