Needling LI-3 to LI-4,5 (Large Intestine): Balance Method Threading Demo

Estimated reading time ⏱: 2 minutes

Last updated: April2026

This is how you clear an entire area in one move. Threading from (Large Intestine) LI-3 to LI-4,5 mirrors a whole pathway on the foot or hand for that "instant release" your patients are looking for.

Quick Stats

• Video Duration: 29 seconds

• Key Conditions: Foot pain, leg pain, arm pain, hand pain, belly pain, deep back pain, facial pain

• Alternative Names: Sanjian to Hegu threading

Balance Method LI-3 to LI-4,5 Logic

Look, here's the deal: sometimes a single needle at LI-4 doesn't cover the whole "pain zone." By threading from LI-3 toward LI-4,5, you are mirroring the entire anatomical stretch. This area covers the Stomach, Kidney, Lung, and Liver channels through the 5 Systems, ensuring you don't miss a single spot.

Large Intestine Thread Through needling demo . Dr. Tan Balance Method Acupuncture.

LI-3 to LI-4 Treatment Applications (Systems 1-6)

By threading these points, you amplify the results.

(See why to use this on the Large Intestine channel in The Balance Method Notebook—grab it here for the complete breakdown.)

• System 1: Stomach (St)

  • Treats: Opposite side foot, facial pain, belly pain, chest pain, leg pain

• System 2: Liver (Liv)

  • Treats: Either side foot pain, belly pain, torso pain, leg pain

• System 3: Lung (Lu)

  • Treats: Opposite side hand pain, arm pain

• System 4: Kidney (Kid)

  • Treats: Either side foot pain, belly pain, chest pain, leg pain

• System 5: Stomach (St)

  • Treats: Opposite side foot, facial pain, belly pain, chest pain, leg pain

• System 6: Large Intestine (Li)

  • Treats: Either side hand pain, facial pain, arm pain

Balance Method Threading Protocol

Here's the step-by-step for this advanced "Master" move.

Location

Start at LI-3 (distal to the 2nd metacarpal head) and direct the needle proximally along the bone toward LI-4,5.

Pro Tip

Keep the needle parallel to the bone to ensure you stay within the meridian; you can put your finger along the bone to follow it.

Which Side

Always needle the opposite side of the pain (contra-lateral) if you are treating an odd (number) system.

Depth (ASS)

Follow the ASS principle:

• Is it an area you want to cover? Use a thread through.

• Is it a specific point or single location? Use a specific point or location.

Retention

Always leave the needles for 45 minutes.

Immediate Check

Have the patient move their foot or hand immediately. If they don't feel a 50%+ reduction, your angle or depth is off

Dr. Tan Mississippi in the Balance Method Notebook

What You'll See (Expected Results)

• Immediate Results: A "release" or a significant drop in pain intensity within seconds.

• 1-3 Sessions: Acute pain should stabilize or disappear.

• 4-7 Sessions: The timeframe for resolving chronic, deep-seated structural pain.

FAQ?

• Q: Why thread instead of two needles?

  • Efficiency: One needle covers the "bridge" between several points, mirroring the exact anatomy of the pain using fewer (here just one) needles.
    
    

• Q: How fast are the results?

  • Immediate: This technique covers an area that single-point needling can't touch.
    
    

• Q: How many sessions?

  • 1-3 sessions for acute sprains; 4-7 sessions for chronic instability.
    
    

Watch Out For (Safety & Mistakes)

• Metacarpal Bone: Don't scrape the bone; it's painful. Stay right next to it.

• Pregnancy: CAUTION. LI-4 (and this threading) is strongly contraindicated in pregnancy (in certain areas of the world).

• Common Mistake: Not directing the needle far enough.

Want More?

• Full Balance Method Notebook: Why Dr. Tan used threading techniques (link here)

Full in-depth explanation of threading techniques

• Watch also:Needling Dr. Tan's KID-3 (perfect for deep back pain)
  

New to the Balance Method?

Start with the basics in our complete guide or master the system through official training with the direct students of Dr. Tan.

To get clinical results like this every day, join our Global Community to discuss cases with experts, and grab your copy of The Balance Method Notebook to unlock every treatment combination.

Thread. Check immediately. Expect 50%+ reduction. Drop your results below in the comments!

About the Authors: Laurence & Olivier

Laurence and Olivier are specialized Balance Method practitioners based in Terneuzen, Netherlands. Both were trained directly by Dr. Delphine Armand — one of Dr. Tan's appointed disciples and co-founder of Si Yuan. For 8 years, they were part of Si Yuan's core team as instructor and video director — teaching, filming, and documenting every aspect of the Balance Method's global training program. Today they treat up to 75 patients weekly using exclusively the Balance Method at Acusana Acupunctuur.

• →Laurence was an instructor at Si Yuan, teaching the Balance Method alongside Dr. Delphine Armand across international trainings. She developed the illustrated clinical notes used during these trainings — notes that became the Balance Method Notebook, now the go-to clinical reference for practitioners worldwide.
• →Olivier filmed and edited every Si Yuan training for 8 years — from live clinical demonstrations to the complete Video on Demand library. He founded this independent knowledge hub to make Balance Method education freely accessible to practitioners everywhere.

Through this platform, they continue to build on Dr. Tan's core philosophy: "Share everything, keep nothing, help everyone."