the theory of Yin-Yang: it is necessary to balance Yang-channel points (Yang corresponding to
activity and, in disease, to an "attack" or "invasion") with those of the Yin channel which is
controlled by it to prevent the Yang channel from over-acting on the Yin one.
For example, suppose one is treating a patient with sciatica occurring along the Gall-Bladder
channel. One selects G.B.-30 Huantiao, G.B.-29 Juliao, G.B.-31 Fengshi and G.B.-34
Yanglingquan. It might be a good idea to balance these four Gall-Bladder points with perhaps
one on the Spleen channel, say SP-3 Taibai or SP-6 Sanyinjiao. It is even better if the Spleen
point can be chosen according to the condition of the patient rather than just for the sake of
balancing the Gall-Bladder points. For example, say that the patient with sciatica also suffers
from insomnia from Blood deficiency, then SP-6 Sanyinjiao would be a good choice to balance
the Gall-Bladder points as it would not only perform a balancing function but also treat
insomnia.
Another example could be that of a patient with chronic shoulder inflammation with pain
radiating down to the arm being treated with L.I.-15 Jianyu, L.I.-14 Binao, L.I.-11 Quchi and
L.I.-4 Hegu. As four Large Intestine points are being used, it might be necessary to balance these
with a point of the Liver channel: LIV-3 Taichong might be an especially suitable choice as this
point would also relax the inflamed shoulder's sinews.
In the previous example when Large Intestine points are balanced with SP-6 Sanyinjiao, this
point could be used on the opposite side: this would achieve the effect of balancing Top and
Bottom, Yin and Yang, the Heavenly Stems, and Left and Right. It would therefore be a very
harmonious combination.
Another example of balancing according to the Heavenly Stems could be that of a patient being
treated for sciatica along the Bladder channel with BL-54 Zhibian, BL-36 Chengfu, BL-37
Yinmen and BL-40 Weizhong: these Bladder points could be balanced with a point from the
Heart channel such as, say, HE-7 Shenmen. This would be all the more indicated if the patient is
tense and anxious. In fact, especially in men, the point HE-7 Shenmen has an excellent effect in
relaxing the muscles of the back (see Chapter 24 on "Lower Backache").
Finally, blancing Yin and Yang points is especially necessary when several points of the same
polarity are used, as in the examples given above. This is particularly necessary, as mentioned
above, when several Yang points from the same channel are used in one treatment.
Balancing Back and Front
Balancing Back and Front is another aspect of balancing of Yin and Yang but it is best
discussed separately. Balancing Back and Front has two aspects:
Balancing Back-Transporting with Front-Collecting points