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“Dr. Tan's class was amazing, now I understand why my friends & colleagues rave about him and The Tan Balance System. I had seen his technique in action with one of his students, M.B., who can't say enough about him, and at my school clinic, but to meet him and see for myself - wow, he is a genius! Can't wait for the next seminar!” D.S.

ACUPUNCTURE 1, 2, 3 FOR BACK PAIN

By Richard Tan, L.Ac., O.M.D.

Back pain is one of the most commonly seen condition that affects patients of all ages. Pain can be caused from an acute sprain or strain, a herniated disk, surgery, or another type of trauma. Regardless of the cause of injury, the treatment principles are the same. Treatment duration, however, may vary depending on the severity of the injury.

The primary meridians involved with back pain are the Bladder, Gallbladder, du (governing), and dai (girdle) channels. When selecting points, the dai (girdle) channel is considered the same as the Gallbladder meridian.

The arm and leg both create an image of the torso. With this in mind, the knee and elbow image the lumbar spine at the L2 level. Ashi points can be palpated above and below the knee to treat back pain.

By using the Imaging and Reverse Imaging concepts, the same points treating low back pain can also treat thoracic pain.

EXTRA POINTS EXCELLENT FOR BACK PAIN

The following points are always added to treat back pain: Wangu (SI 4) and the extra points Ling Ku, Da Bai, and Zhong Bai. Needle the opposite side of the pain. If the pain is on both sides, needle bilaterally. The following points are always added to the regular points to treat back pain.

• Ling Ku – In the depression, just distal to the junction of the first and second metacarpal bones. Approximately 0.5 cun proximal to Hegu (LI 4), on the yangming line. This point is especially effective for pain around the sacral-iliac L4-L5 area.
• Da Bai – About 0.5 cun proximal to Sanjian (LI 3) on the yangming line. This point is especially effective for pain around the L2-L3 area.
• Zhong Bai  – About 0.5 cun proximal to Zhongzhu (TH 3), on the shaoyang line.
• Wangu (SI 4) – On the ulnar side of the palm, in the depression between the base of the fifth metacarpal bone and the triquetral bone.

Stimulating the needles every twenty minutes will enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

For more details or other uses, please refer to Dr. Tan’s first book, Twelve and Twelve in Acupuncture.

EXAMPLE 1

Area of Discomfort

• Paraspinal pain, from L3 to L4, left side.

Acupuncture 1: Diagnose
Determine the sick meridian(s)

• BL meridian imbalance on the left side

Acupuncture 2: Channel Selection
Using Dr. Tan’s five systems, identify the meridians that can treat the sick meridian(s).

• System 1: SI
• System 2: LU
• System 3: KI
• System 4: LU
• System 5: SI

Acupuncture 3: Point Selection
Choose any system(s) based on preference and/or convenience and needle all the points indicated below for the chosen system(s). All the points are chosen according to the image concept.

• System 1: Ashi point(s) from Zhizheng (SI 7) to Xiaohai (SI 8) on the right side
• System 2: Ashi point(s) from Chize (LU 5) to Kongzui (LU 6) on either side
• System 3: Ashi point(s) from Yingu (KI 10) to Jiaoxin (KI 8) on the right side
• System 4: Ashi point(s) from Chize (LU 5) to Kongzui (LU 6) on either side
• System 5: Ashi point(s) from Zhizheng (SI 7) to Xiaohai (SI 8) on the right side
  
  Note: Normally, needling the points from one system is sufficient. However, if there are no results, additional points can be included from different systems. If there is still no improvement, reconsider your diagnosis.

EXAMPLE 2

Area of Discomfort

• Pain on the spine (L4 area)

Acupuncture 1: Diagnose
Determine the sick meridian(s)

• Du (governing) channel

The du (governing) channel runs directly along the spine. This meridian follows System 1. Therefore, with the mirror concept, the ren (conception) channel is used. Keep in mind, the abdomen tends to have fatty tissue, and it may be more difficult to find the acupuncture/ashi points. Deep palpation must be used to find the ashi points.

Acupuncture 2: Channel Selection

• Ren (conception) channel

Acupuncture 3: Point Selection

• According to the mirror concept, find all the ashi points around Qugu (CV 2).

EXAMPLE 3

Area of Discomfort

• Sacral pain, from S1 to S2

Acupuncture 1: Diagnose
Determine the sick meridian(s)

• GV channel imbalance

Acupuncture 2: Channel Selection

• CV channel

Acupuncture 3: Point Selection

• According to the mirror concept, find and needle all the ashi points from Qugu (CV 2) to Zhongji (CV 3)
• According to the scalp imaging concept, find and needle all the ashi points fromNaohu (GV 17) to Qiangjian (GV 18)

EXAMPLE 4

Area of Discomfort

• Right-sided back pain, medial side of the PSIS, radiating down the leg.

Acupuncture 1: Diagnose
Determine the sick meridian(s)

• BL and GB meridian imbalance on the right side

Acupuncture 2: Channel Selection
Using Dr. Tan’s five systems, identify the meridians that can treat the sick meridian(s).

Acupuncture 3: Point Selection
Choose any system(s) based on preference and/or convenience and needle all the points indicated below for the chosen system(s). All the points are chosen according to the image concept.

• System 1: Ashi points from Wangu (SI 4) to Zhizheng (SI 7) and Yangchi (TH 4) to Sidu (TH 9) on the left side
• System 2: Ashi points from Taiyuan (LU 9) to Kongzui (LU 6) and Shenmen (HT 7) to Lingdao (HT 4) on either side
• System 3: Ashi points from Taixi (KI 3) to Zhubin (KI 9) and Zhongfeng (LR 4) to Zhongdu (LR 6) on the left side
• System 4: Ashi points from Taiyuan (LU 9) to Kongzui (LU 6) and Shenmen (HT 7) to Lingdao (HT 4) on either side
• System 5: Ashi points from Wangu (SI 4) to Zhizheng (SI 7) and Yangchi (TH 4) to Sidu (TH 9) on the left side

Note: Normally, needling the points from one system is sufficient. However, if there are no results, additional points can be included from different systems. If there is still no improvement, reconsider your diagnosis.

For this example, pain on the medial side of the PSIS, Shan Cha (three points total, in the web between the 2nd and 3rd finger, 3rd and 4th finger, and 4th and 5th finger) is more effective than Ling Ku, Da Bai and Zhong Bai because Shan Cha points form the reverse image of the hip joint and PSIS. Needle perpendicularly toward the wrist, one cun deep.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Richard Tan, O.M.D., L.Ac.

Dr. Richard Tan is a leading authority in acupuncture, herbs, feng shui and qi cultivation. His skills represent the culmination of years of study in the disciplines of Zang-Fu, Five Element and Channel Theory. Dr. Tan authored Twelve and Twelve in Acupuncture, Twenty-Four More in Acupuncture and Dr. Tan’s Strategy of Twelve Magical Points and Acupuncture 123, among others.

This article was taken out of Dr. Tan’s book Acupuncture 1,2,3. To order a copy, click here.

To learn more about Dr. Tan’s Balance Method, he is speaking on the following topic for Lotus Institute. This class is approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture Board and NCCAOM.

CLASS BY THE AUTHOR

Master Tung’s Points Dr. Tan’s Applications

• 8/23/08 Portland, OR

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