Acknowledgment
The following pages contain information as taught by the late Richard Teh Fu Tan, more commonly called Tan style or balance acupuncture all credit is given to his teachings and methodology.
Introduction
Training today for most acupuncturists in the UK is based around Zang Fu theory, these theories of disease classification prove useful for herbal treatments but meridian theory should be the diagnostic tool for acupuncture treatments. Today there is a modern resurgence in distal acupuncture with various styles such as Tan, Tung/ Dong, Meridian Wave, all becoming popular as acupuncturists become aware of this highly effective technique, especially for pain management.
After cultural revolution took place within China, numerous ancient scriptures were destroyed and great practitioners were killed resulting in a huge loss of knowledge. Richard Tan stated that after years of study and reading the classics and studying with traditional masters, meridian diagnosis and treatment was the most effective form of Acupuncture he new and with it treated thousands of patients.
The Method
Tan style is a simple to learn method based around a three step principle.
1. Identify the effected meridian,
2. Determine the treating meridian
3. Point selection based on step two. If correct procedure has been made there should be an immediate reduction in pain from the patient.
THE SYSTEMS
Five systems of channel balancing exist within this method that of:
•Chinese Meridian name sharing.
•Bie-Jing/ Branching meridians
•Biao Li/ Interior-Exterior pairs
•Chinese Clock Opposites
•Chinese Clock Neighbours.
To be successful at using the balance method, learning the Chinese meridian names is essential for its effectiveness. By achieving a dynamic balance between the meridians harmony is restored within the body.
SYSTEM 1
Would be a great starting point in learning this method as it refers to the same hand and foot meridian for example hand Tai Yin meridian (Lung) would treat leg Tai Yin meridian (Spleen).
Mirroring image
This is the first stage in selecting the appropriate points which will be apparent through palpation of tenderness to the corresponding diseased meridian. It’s important to picture the arm and leg as the same thing eg. the hand mirrors the foot, elbow knee and shoulder hip and vice versa. If we use the example of the Yang Ming channel, if pain was at St41, the point on the corresponding arm channel would be at Li5, check for tenderness to confirm and needle. As this is a moving therapy it’s important to either get the patient to move affected area to allow the local Qi blockage to move.
Reverse Image
In this image now the top of shoulder represents the foot, the shoulder joint is the ankle, the elbow is still the knee, forearm is the thigh and wrist joint mirrors the hip joint. From position the classical point of St38 traditionally taught for shoulder pain becomes clear why the classics list this point for such conditions. Throughout the entire process of examining the traditional actions of points then apply the channel methodology using imagery, suddenly it becomes clear why as practitioners we use certain points and a deeper understanding occurs.
When using System 1, it is important to use the opposite side and opposite limb, locate the appropriate ashi, needle and acquire De Qi then leave needles in for 30 to 40 minutes.
When using mirroring or reverse mirroring format it is common to locate ashi in both forms thus allowing you to needle through accessibility and patient comfort.
THE IMAGING FORMAT:
REVERSE IMAGING FORMAT:
SYSTEM 2
Either side can be needled using System 2.
SYSTEM 3
Needle opposite side.
SYSTEM 4
The forth Tan System is that of the use of the Chinese clock, still using the principle of opposites now we use the opposite side of the clock to balance the diseased meridian; we still use the opposite limb eg. hand treats foot. Chinese medicine theory states Qi circulates around the body in 24 hours residing in each organ for two hour intervals. Thankfully to use this method we do not have to wait for the correct time just the ability to know the opposite pairing.
SYSTEM 5
The final system uses once again the Chinese clock to balance the meridian by using the adjacent organ next to the diseased meridian to pair it with, taking into account Yin meridians balance Yang meridians and hand meridians balance foot meridians. As with system four, time itself is not important just its positioning on the clock.
MICRO-SYSTEMS
Image Upper/ Lower limb to head
Image of scalp to the spine
Using the system
When you are in clinic and a patient presents with pain, discomfort or even numbness correct identification of the effected meridian is paramount to success. I would suggest firstly listen to what the patient says describing how the condition arose, let them place their own finger to the exact area or point of discomfort. From this you can ascertain the diseased meridian where Qi/Blood is stagnating. Ask the patient to move the area if possible to see if further channels are affected during the range of motion. If a limb fails to move or has a restriction it’s important to understand anatomy in the relationship of flexion and contraction and how muscles function and their normal range of motion, any disfunction may also be identified at this stage further adding to your assessment. Finally local palpation of the area your self would be my final check identifying if the pain is excess or deficient and then using the appropriate shu point on the diseased Chanel. I would recommend starting with system 1 initially. First palpate for any ashi on the image location corresponding to the disharmony. Needle along the channel area in one cun intervals also checking either side of the channel line for further ashi as the affected area may be either off channel slightly or covering a wider area if patient doesn’t state it’s a pin point pain more local dull ache or numbness to a wider area.
After needling get the patient to move the affected area, this helps Qi circulation to take place and ask how much pain relief has resulted. If not 100% you may wish to palpate another area to supplement the balance correction. Once needles are in and patient reports either total or near total reduction leave as long as possible. I try to leave in for at least 30 mins.