channel (see Figure 1.4(582) in Chapter 1, "Headache"), while the Yang divergent channels
rejoin their main channel. Thus, in the end, all divergent channels join the Yang main channels
around the neck and head. Furthermore, the Yang divergent channels join interiorly-exteriorly
related Yin and Yang organs internally (e.g. the Bladder divergent channel joins with both the
bladder and the kidney organs). Figure I.15(583) shows the pathways of the Kidney and Bladder
Divergent channels as an example.
Thus, divergent channels harmonize not only Yin and Yang but also Left and Right because they
all, in the end, join the Yang main channels in the neck area: in fact, the Yang channels all join
in the head superficially and converge at Du-20 Baihui; they play an important role in balancing
the circulation of Qi between Left and Right.
Painful symptoms which move from one side to the other (as often happens in migraines)
indicate affliction of the divergent channels. In such cases, it is necessary to needle the opposite
side (i.e. the side opposite to where the pain is) usually needling the Well point. For example, if a
migraine headache occurring on the Gall-Bladder channel normally moves from one side to the
other and the patient is seen during an acute attack with pain on the left side, then one can needle
the Well point of the right side, i.e. G.B.-44 Zuqiaoyin as a distal point and local points on the
affected side. The pain will temporarily move to the right side and then go.
Main Channels
Using points unilaterally, balancing them between Left and Right, presents us with the
opportunity of creating very interesting and balanced combinations of points. Needling points
unilaterally, balancing Left and Right has several advantages:
(a) it makes for a particularly dynamic effect(b) it balances Left and Right(c) it allows us to reduce the total number of points used.Far from reducing the effect of the treatment, using points unilaterally makes the treatment more
dynamic and powerful: it is like applying a force to the tangents of two opposite poles of a circle,
making it spin (Figure I.16(584)).
Since using points unilaterally and balanced between Left and Right has a particularly dynamic
effect, I generally use in this way points which are intended to move Qi or Blood and I use
bilaterally those to tonify Qi and Blood, although not exclusively so. For example, if a woman
patient presented with symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and pre-menstrual tension due to
stagnation of Liver-Qi from emotional problems occurring against a background of Qi and Blood
deficiency, one could needle P-6 Neiguan on the right and LIV-3 Taichong on the left to move
Liver-Qi, calm the Mind and settle the Ethereal Soul, and ST-36 Zusanli and SP-6 Sanyinjiao,