Dr. Tan's Balance Method Matrix: Which Meridian Balances Which —
All 6 Systems
The Complete Master Matrix
Each row is a sick meridian. Read horizontally to find the treating meridian for each system. Systems 2, 4, and 6 treat both sides.
← swipe to see all systems →
| Sick Meridian | System 1 Opposite |
System 2 Both sides ★ |
System 3 Opposite |
System 4 Both sides ★ |
System 5 Opposite |
System 6 Both sides ★ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LI Large Intestine | ST | LIV | LU | KID | ST | LI |
| ST Stomach | LI | PC | SP | PC | LI | ST |
| SP Spleen | LU | SI | ST | SJ | HT | SP |
| HT Heart | KID | GB | SI | GB | SP | HT |
| SI Sm Intestine | UB | SP | HT | LIV | UB | SI |
| UB Urin. Bladder | SI | LU | KID | LU | SI | UB |
| KID Kidney | HT | SJ | UB | LI | PC | KID |
| PC Pericardium | LIV | ST | SJ | ST | KID | PC |
| SJ San Jiao | GB | KID | PC | SP | GB | SJ |
| GB Gallbladder | SJ | HT | LIV | HT | SJ | GB |
| LIV Liver | PC | LI | GB | SI | LU | LIV |
| LU Lung | SP | UB | LI | UB | LIV | LU |
The matrix is bidirectional: if LIV treats LI in System 2, then LI also treats LIV in System 2.
Every Balance Method treatment follows the same logic: the patient has pain on a specific meridian — which meridian do you needle to balance it? The answer depends on which system you choose. If you need to understand how each system works, read the complete guide to the 6 systems. If you need to identify which meridian is sick, start with the guide on diagnosing the sick meridian.
Side Rules: Which side do you needle?
| System Category | Side Rule | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| System 1, 3, 5 | Opposite Side | Right side pain → Left side needle |
| System 2, 4, 6 | Both Sides ★ | One needle treats left and right simultaneously |
How to Use the Matrix: The 1-2-3 Flow
Step 1 — Diagnose the sick meridian
Where is the patient's pain? Ask them to point with one finger. The location tells you which meridian is affected — that's meridian geography. For the complete method, including the sun exposure rule, coverage principle, and common mistakes, see the guide on diagnosing the sick meridian.
Step 2 — Choose the system and treating meridian
Find the sick meridian in the left column of the matrix above. Read across the row — you have up to 6 treating options. For bilateral problems, start with System 2 or System 4. For unilateral problems, any system works. If multiple meridians are sick (common in shoulder and neck pain), run a matrix analysis: list all sick meridians, find the treating meridian that appears in the most rows, and treat with the fewest needles possible.
Step 3 — Find the exact point
You know which meridian to treat. Now where on that meridian do you needle? Use projection (mirror image, puppet show, or reversed mirror) to map the pain location onto the treating meridian. Then palpate for ashi — the spot where the patient reacts. That's your needle point. Match needle depth to tissue type: tendon for tendon, muscle for muscle, bone for bone.
Step 4 — Needle, retest, refine
After needling, ask the patient to move. Has the pain changed? Reduced? Shifted? If it shifted to a new location, that's a different meridian — diagnose again, balance again, needle again. This iterative process is the feedback loop that makes the Balance Method so precise. For clinical examples of this in action, see the guides on back pain and shoulder pain.
The 6 Systems at a Glance
Hand and Foot meridians that share the same Chinese name (e.g., LU (Hand Tai yin) ↔ SP (Foot Tai yin)).
Rule: Opposite sideHand and Foot meridians with opposite Chinese names (e.g., LU (Hand Tai yin) ↔ UB (Foot Tai Yang)).
Rule: Both sides ★The Biao-Li pair (e.g., LU ↔ LI).
Rule: Opposite sideMeridians opposite each other on the Chinese Clock (e.g., LU ↔ UB).
Rule: Both sides ★Yin meridians next to each other on the Chinese Clock (e.g., LU ↔ LIV).
Rule: Opposite sideNeedle the same meridian on the opposite side of the body.
Rule: Both sides ★Explore the Full Balance Method System
How each system works, when to use which, with clinical examples.
The one-finger rule, meridian geography, and common mistakes.
How to find the exact point on the treating meridian.
The Mississippi technique and needle depth matching.
When to treat the meridian vs treat the whole body.
How the two systems compare, overlap, and complement each other.
The million dollar combo and clinical decision tree.
Five meridians, the neck-shoulder combo, and the feedback loop.
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