channels as well. This will be explained shortly.
Left-Right balancing will be discussed from the following points of view:
Connecting channels
Extraordinary Vessels
Divergent channels
Main channels
Arm and leg channels of same polarity
Exteriorly-interiorly related channels
Other channels
Channel problemsConnecting Channels
The Connecting point of the affected channel can sometimes be needled on the opposite side.
This technique is used mostly in acute painful conditions due to invasion of a channel by
external pathogenic factors. When a pathogenic factor invades a Connecting channel on one side,
it does so because there is a temporary and relative deficiency of Qi in the channel of that side
whilst the other side is in a state of relative Excess (due to the imbalance of Qi between one side
and the other). Thus to needle a distal point on the affected side with reducing method would
further weaken the channel. For this reason, it is necessary to needle (with reducing method) the
Connecting point of the opposite side, and local points on the affected side.
For example, in case of invasion of Cold in the Connecting channel of the Large Intestine on the
right side causing a pain in the arm extending to the shoulder and jaw, we can needle (with
reducing method) L.I.-6 Pianli on the left side and local points (with moxa on needle) on the
right side.
Chapter 63 of the "Simple Questions" deals with what it calls "reverse needling":
When the pathogenic factor invades the Connecting channels the left side is in
Excess while the disease [i.e. pathogenic factor] is on the right and vice
versa.15(580)It further says:
When the pathogenic factor resides in the Kidney Connecting channel ... needle
the left side if the disease is on the right [and vice versa] ...16(581)In chronic cases the problem is quite different as the pathogenic factor has penetrated into the