both bilaterally, to tonify Qi and Blood.
When needling unilaterally, the laterality can be chosen according to various criteria:
(a) according to painful side: needle distal and local points on the painful side and
balance them with some points on the other side (e.g. L.I.-15, L.I.-11 and L.I.-4
on the right and LIV-3 on the left)(b) according to gender and Top-Bottom: needle an arm-channel point on the left for
men and right for women and a leg-channel point on the other side (e.g. P-6
Neiguan on the right in women and left in men, and LIV-3 on the opposite side)(c) according to Yin-Yang: needle a Yin point on the left (the Yang side) and a Yang
point on the right (the Yin side).Unilateral needling can be discussed from four points of view:
(a) Arm and leg channels of the same polarity(b) Exteriorly-interiorly related channels(c) Other channels(d) Channel problems.Arm and Leg Channels of the Same Polarity
Arm and leg channels of the same polarity are those of Greater Yang (Small Intestine and
Bladder), Greater Yin (Lung and Spleen), etc. Since the channels within each of these pairs are
closely connected, unilateral needling is particularly effective. Examples of combination of Yang
arm and leg channels have already been given above, so they will be discussed here only briefly.
In addition, I will give some examples of unilateral needling of points from Yin arm and leg
channels.
Bright Yang
- L.I.-4 Hegu and ST-36 Zusanli to harmonize the rising and descending of Qi and regulate
digestion. L.I.-4 could be used on the right in a woman and on the left in a man, with
ST-36 on the opposite side, as explained above. - L.I.-4 Hegu and ST-44 Neiting to harmonize the rising and descending of Qi, with the
same laterality as above. - L.I.-10 Shousanli and ST-36 Zusanli to harmonize the rising and descending of Qi and
strengthen the Bright Yang channels. It also tonifies Stomach- and Spleen-Qi, invigorates
the channels and strengthens the limbs. This combination is useful to tonify Qi and the