eLOTUS UPDATE

AUGUST 2008

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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 by 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
Upcoming Events 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
Master Tungs pain can also treat thoracic pain.
Points Dr. Tans
Applications EXTRA POINTS EXCELLENT FOR BACK PAIN
(8 CEUs/PDAs)
The following points are always added to treat back pain: Wangu (SI 4) and the extra points
by Richard Tan Ling Ku, Da Bai, and Zhong Bai. Needle the opposite side of the pain. If the pain is on both
sides, needle bilaterally.
Location & Time:
Portland, OR Ling Ku - In the depression, just distal to the junction of the first and second
8/23/08 9 am to 6 pm 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
Meet the Masters: especially effective for pain around the L2-L3 area.
The Classic Zhong Bai - About 0.5 cun proximal to Zhongzhu (TH 3), on the shaoyang line.
Formulas They Wangu (SI 4) - On the ulnar side of the palm, in the depression between the base of
Crafted and Their the fifth metacarpal bone and the triquetral bone.
Contemporary
Stimulating the needles every twenty minutes will enhance the effectiveness of the
Connections
treatment.
(8 CEUs/PDAs)
by John Chen For more details or other uses, please refer to Dr. Tans first book, Twelve and Twelve in
Acupuncture.
Location & Time:
Portland, OR
8/24/08 9 am to 6 pm

Copyright 2008 Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine. All Rights Reserved.

eLOTUS UPDATE AUGUST 2008
Hear What
Successful Practitioners
are Saying about
LotusceuSEMINARS
This seminar was the best
I have been to, to date. Dr.
Tan is very knowledgeable
and effectively teaches the
material. P.P.
Dr. Tans 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 cant say enough about
him, and at my school clinic,
but to meet him and see for
myself - wow, he is a genius!
Cant wait for the next
seminar! D.S.
I love your clinical manual
for its comprehensive
resource value all in one
manageable sized book
- drugs/herbs, Dr. Tans
Balance Point combined
with herbal formulas, and
write-ups to copy for clients
- excellent reference for
finding herbal formulas.
H.R.
Copyright 2008 Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine. All Rights Reserved.
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. Tans 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.
eLOTUS UPDATE AUGUST 2008
Hear What
Successful Practitioners
are Saying about
LotusceuSEMINARS
I was very impressed with
the entire presentation and
the additional knowledge that
was gained today. J.M.
Always come away from
your lectures with a lot
more info than I expected.
Thanks so much for the
extra booklets on previous
seminars. F.G.
Refreshing to have such
an expert freely share
his wisdom and clinical
experience. K.B.
Far beyond stated
objectives. K.V.
Excellent knowledge,
especially clinical experience
by giving example of cases
and anecdote. K.V.
Totally 100% satisfied!!
Please inform me for future
seminars. J.S.
Copyright 2008 Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine. All Rights Reserved.
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 from Naohu
(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. Tans five systems, identify the meridians that can
treat the sick meridian(s).
Bladder Gallbladder
System 1: SI TH
System 2: LU HT
System 3: KI LR
System 4: LU HT
System 5: SI TH
eLOTUS UPDATE AUGUST 2008

Hear What Acupuncture 3: Point Selection

Successful Practitioners Choose any system(s) based on preference and/or convenience and needle all the points
are Saying about indicated below for the chosen system(s). All the points are chosen according to the image
LotusceuSEMINARS concept.

Great presentational
materials. Liked the
overhead notes, and
handouts. Very helpful and
time saving. Thanks much,
enjoyed the seminar and
learned a lot. A.T.
These last 2 days have
been remarkable. For
the information, the
professionalism of the
running of the seminar, the
helpfulness of the staff and
doctors. Thank you so much!
The computer/on screen
work has been excellent for
notes Brilliant! J.M.
System 1: Ashi point(s) from Wangu (SI 4) to Zhizheng (SI 7) and Yangchi (TH 4) to
Sidu (TH 9) on the left side
System 2: Ashi point(s) from Taiyuan (LU 9) to Kongzui (LU 6) and Shenmen (HT 7) to
Lingdao (HT 4) on either side
System 3: Ashi point(s) from Taixi (KI 3) to Zhubin (KI 9) and Zhongfeng (LR 4) to
Zhongdu (LR 6) on the left side
System 4: Ashi point(s) from Taiyuan (LU 9) to Kongzui (LU 6) and Shenmen (HT 7) to
Lingdao (HT 4) on either side
System 5: Ashi point(s) 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.

Thank you! This is the

best seminar I have ever
attended! A.G.

Super! Great! Fantastic!

Thank You! S.C.

Very enjoyable, educational,

straight to the point, well-
organized. I will certainly
pass the word along to other
practitioners for their CEUs.
Thanks for sharing your
knowledge. M.T.

Copyright 2008 Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine. All Rights Reserved.

eLOTUS UPDATE AUGUST 2008

Hear What
Successful Practitioners
are Saying about
LotusceuSEMINARS
The classes from the last
weekend were the best
seminars I ever went. I
greatly appreciate you
putting together such
a wonderful learning
opportunity for us. It really
makes the trip worthwhile.
V.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Tan, L.Ac., O.M.D.
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, Dr. Tans Strategy of Twelve Magical Points and
Acupuncture 1,2,3, among others.
This article was taken out of Dr. Tans book Acupuncture 1,2,3. To order a copy, click here.
To learn more about Dr. Tans Balance Method, he is speaking on the following topic for
Lotus Institute. All classes are approved for 8 CEUs/PDAs by the California Acupuncture
Board and NCCAOM.

I very much appreciate

how well-organized your
seminars and materials are. CLASS BY THE AUTHOR
You try very hard to make it
easy on the practitioners to Master Tungs Points Dr. Tans Applications
do the best job he/she can.
I want to come back and
recommend your seminars
8/23/08 Portland, OR
because of the good price
and discounts offered.
Also your staff is extremely
polite and professional,
very nice to deal with.
You are a top-notch
organization! P.S. Thank Click here to sign up for our free eLotus updates.
you for having someone Articles will be emailed to you monthly to enrich your
type out information on the
practice.
screen for all to see, makes
understanding easier and
quicker. D.V. Other Articles Available for Download
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