古谓医者必通三世之书∶其一《黄帝针灸》，其二《神农本草》，其三《岐伯脉诀》。脉诀察症，本草
辨药，针灸祛疾，非是三者，不足言医。集本草于后者，均卷帙也。
针法多端，今以《素》、《难》为主。子者，阳也；午者，阴也。不曰阴阳，而曰子午者，正以见人身
任督，与天地子午相为流通，故地理南针不离子午，乃阴阳自然之妙用孔。八法者，奇经八穴为要，乃十二经
之大会也。言子午八法者，子午流注兼奇经八法也。
神针大要有四∶
曰穴法 周身三百六十穴，统于手足六十六穴。六十六穴，又统于八穴，故谓之奇经。
曰开阖 燕避戊己，蝠伏庚申，物性且然，况人身一小天地乎？故缓病必俟开阖，犹瘟疫必根据运气；急
病不拘开阖，犹杂病舍天时而从人之病也。
曰迎随 迎者，逆也；随者，顺也。逆则为泻，顺则为补。迎随一差，气血错乱，目前或见小效，久后
必生异症。谚云∶目不针不瞎，脚不针不跏。
曰飞经走气 今人但知飞经走气为难，而不知迎随明，而飞走在其中矣。
穴法子午流注。
流，往也；注，住也。神气之游行也。
十二经脉，每经各得五穴，
以应五行。
井荥俞经合也。经言所出为井，
井，常汲不乏，常注不溢，言其经常如此也。应东方春，万物之所始。
所流为荥，所注为俞，所行为经，所入为合。
应北方冬，万物之所藏也。夫人身经脉，犹水行地中。井者，若水之源始出也；流之尚微者，谓之荥；水
上流下注，而流之不息者，谓之俞；水流过者，谓之经；经过于此，乃入脏腑与众经会者，谓之合。《素问》
云，六经为川，肠胃为海是也。
井主心下痞满，
肝邪治之于井。
荥主身热，
心邪治之于荥。
俞主体重（四肢）节痛，
脾邪治之于俞。
经主喘咳寒热，
肺邪治之于经。
合主逆气而泄。
肾邪治之于合。
手不过肘，足不过膝，阳干三十六穴，阴干三十穴，共成六十六穴。其阳干多六穴，乃原穴合谷、腕骨、
丘墟、冲阳、京骨、阳池是也。
脏井荥有五，腑井荥有六。经言胆原丘墟，肝原太冲，小肠原腕骨，心原神门，胃原冲阳，脾原太白，
大肠原合谷，肺原太渊，膀胱原京骨，肾原太溪，三焦原阳池，胞络原大陵。十二经皆以俞为原者，三焦阳气
通行诸经，脐下肾间动气者，十二经之根本也，故曰原。五脏六腑皆有病者取其原，脏病针俞，腑病针合。
井穴肌肉浅薄，多不宜针，故经每言荥俞。
歌曰∶手大指内太阴肺，少商为井荥鱼际，太渊之穴号俞原，行入经渠（经）尺泽（合）类。盐
指阳明曰大肠，商阳（井）二间（荥）三间（俞）详，合谷（原）阳溪（经）根据穴取，曲池为合正相当。中指
厥阴心包络，中冲（井）掌中劳宫（荥）索，大陵为俞本是原，间使（经）从容求曲泽。（合）无名指外是三焦，
关冲（井）寻至液门（荥）头，俞原中渚阳池取，经合支沟天井求。手小指内少阴心，少冲少府井荥寻，神门
俞穴为原穴，灵道（经）仍须少海（合）真。手小指外属小肠，少泽（井）流于前谷（荥）内，后溪腕骨是
俞原，阳谷为经合小海。足大指内太阴脾，井荥隐白大者推，太白俞原商丘（经）穴，阴陵泉合要须知。足大指
端厥阴肝，大敦为井（荥）行间，太冲为俞原都是，经在中封合曲泉。第二指端阳明胃，厉兑（井）内庭（荥）
须要会，陷谷（俞）冲阳（原）经解溪，三里（合）膝下三寸是。足掌心中少阴肾，涌泉（井）然谷（荥）天然
定，太溪为俞又为原，复溜（经）阴谷（合）能医病。足第四指少阳经，窍阴为井侠溪荥，俞原临泣丘墟穴，
阳辅（经）阳陵泉（合）认真。足小指外属膀胱，至阴通谷井荥当，束骨（俞）次寻京骨（原）穴，昆仑经合委
中央。
经曰∶左盛则右病，右盛则左病。右痛未已。而左脉先病。
左痛未已而右脉先病。
如此者，必巨刺之。此五穴临时变合，刺法之最大者也。
巨刺者，刺经脉也。
窦师曰∶公孙冲脉胃心胸，内关阴维下总同；临泣胆经连带脉，阳维目脱外关逢。后溪督脉内背颈，申
脉阳跷络亦通。列缺任脉行肺系，阴跷照海膈喉咙。
又云∶阳跷阳维并督脉；
三脉属阳。
主肩背腰腿在表之病；阴跷阴维任冲带，
五脉属阴。
去心腹胁肋在里之 ，此奇经主病要也。
《兰江赋》云∶先将八法为定例，流注之中分次节，欲解之病内关担，脐下公孙用拦法。头部须逢寻列缺，
痰涎壅塞及咽干，噤口喉风针照海，三棱出血刻时安。伤寒在表并头疼，外关泻动自然安，眼目之症诸疾苦，
更用临泣使针担。后溪专治督脉病，癫狂此法治还轻，申脉能除寒与热，头风偏正及心惊。耳鸣鼻塞胸中满，
好用金针此穴寻。盖公孙配内关为子母，合于心胸胃冲脉；临泣配外关为妻夫，合于目锐 耳后、颊车肩颈缺
盆胸；后溪配申脉为夫妻，合于小肠膀胱内、背颈耳肩膊属，列缺配照海为母子，合于肺及肺系喉咙胸膈，
此八脉交会也。凡脾经左右四十二穴，统于公孙二穴，一切脾病皆治。余经仿此。心包络内关，胆临泣，三焦
外关，小肠后溪，膀胱申脉，肺列缺，肾照海。
配卦后天，干坎艮震巽离坤兑，以五行生旺为次。就干宫起甲顺行，则甲胆窍阴配干，乙肝大敦（附干），
丙小肠少泽配坎，丁心少冲配艮，戊胃厉兑配震，己脾隐白配巽，庚大肠商阳配离，辛肺少商配坤，壬膀胱至
阴（附坤），癸肾涌泉配兑，三焦寄壬，包络寄癸，此论天干然也。地支干宫起子顺行，则子属干，午属巽，
卯属艮，酉属坤，（即子午卯酉四正也） 寅属坎，申属离，巳属震，亥属兑。（即寅申巳亥四旁也） 辰戌
丑未寄旺，故不入卦，但在卦则为老阴老阳、少阴少阳；（干三男震坎艮，坤三女巽离兑） 在十二经脉与奇
经，则为大阴大阳、少阴少阳；（卦为虚，穴为实，犹地理用穴不用卦，卦向穴中作也） 经曰∶邪客大络者，
左注右，右注左，上下左右，其气无常，不入经俞，命曰缪刺。（缪刺者，刺络脉也。言络脉与经脉缪处，
身有蜷挛疼痛，而脉无病，刺其阴阳交贯之道） 此八穴配合定位刺法之最奇者也，是故头病取足，而应之以
手；足病取手，而应之以足；左病取右，而应之以左；右病取左，而应之以右。散针亦当如是也。（头为阳，
足为阴，头病取足者，头走足也。足病不取头者，头不走头也。左右病必互针者，引邪复正故也） 散针者，
治杂病而散用某穴，因病之所宜而针之，初不拘于流注也。若夫折伤跌扑、损逆走痛，因其病之所在
而针之，虽穴亦罔顾其得与否也。（指痛针痛，徐氏谓之天应穴） 此穴法之大概也。
古人说，医生必须精通三部医书：第一部是《黄帝针灸》，第二部是《神农本草》，第三部是《岐伯脉诀》。脉诀用于察看病症，本草用于辨别药物，针灸用于祛除疾病，不具备这三者，就不足以谈论医学。将本草类书籍放在后面，是为了统一卷册篇幅。
针法多种多样，现在以《素问》和《难经》为主要依据。“子”代表阳，“午”代表阴。不直接说阴阳而说子午，正是为了体现人身任脉、督脉与天地子午方位相互流通的道理，所以地理指南针不离子午线，这是阴阳自然奥妙的关键所在。“八法”以奇经八脉的八个特定穴位为要点，它们是十二经脉的大会合处。所谓“子午八法”，是指子午流注法结合奇经八法。
神针的要领主要有四个方面：
第一是穴法。全身三百六十个穴位，统属于手足六十六个穴位。这六十六个穴位，又统属于八个穴位，所以称为奇经（此处指代奇经八脉交会穴）。
第二是开阖。燕子避开戊己日，蝙蝠潜伏在庚申日，连动物的本性尚且如此，何况人身这个小天地呢？所以慢性病必须等待开阖时机，就像瘟疫治疗必须根据运气学说一样；急病则不拘泥于开阖，就像杂病舍弃天时而从人体自身病情出发一样。
第三是迎随。迎，就是逆着经脉走向；随，就是顺着经脉走向。逆则为泻法，顺则为补法。迎随手法稍有差错，就会导致气血错乱，眼前或许能看到小效，但长久以后必然产生其他病症。谚语说：“眼睛不针刺不会瞎，脚不针刺不会跛。”
第四是飞经走气。现在的人只知道飞经走气很难，却不知道只要明白了迎随补泻，飞经走气的道理就在其中了。
关于穴法中的子午流注。
流，指运行；注，指停留。这是神气在体内的游行过程。
十二经脉，每经各有五个穴位，对应五行，即井、荥、输、经、合。经文说“所出为井”。井，像水井一样常汲水而不枯竭，常注水而不溢出，形容其常态如此。它对应东方春季，是万物开始的地方。
“所流为荥”，水流尚微细时称为荥；“所注为俞”，水向上流向下注且流动不息时称为俞；“所行为经”，水经过此处称为经；“所入为合”，水流经过此处，进入脏腑并与众经会合，称为合。它对应北方冬季，是万物收藏的地方。人的身体经脉，就像水在地中流淌。井，就像水的源头刚刚流出；流势尚微弱的是荥；水由上流下注且流动不息的是俞；水流经过的是经；经过于此，乃进入脏腑与众经会合的是合。《素问》说：“六经如河流，肠胃如大海”，就是这个意思。
井穴主治心下痞满，肝邪在井穴治疗。
荥穴主治身体发热，心邪在荥穴治疗。
输穴主治身体沉重、四肢关节疼痛，脾邪在输穴治疗。
经穴主治咳嗽、寒热，肺邪在经穴治疗。
合穴主治气逆和泄泻，肾邪在合穴治疗。
手部不超过肘部，足部不超过膝部，阳干有三十六个穴位，阴干有三十个穴位，共成六十六个穴位。其中阳干多出的六个穴位，分别是原穴：合谷、腕骨、丘墟、冲阳、京骨、阳池。
脏的井穴和荥穴各只有五个，腑的井穴和荥穴各有六个。经文说：胆的原穴是丘墟，肝的原穴是太冲，小肠的原穴是腕骨，心的原穴是神门，胃的原穴是冲阳，脾的原穴是太白，大肠的原穴是合谷，肺的原穴是太渊，膀胱的原穴是京骨，肾的原穴是太溪，三焦的原穴是阳池，心包络的原穴是大陵。十二经脉都以输穴作为原穴的，是因为三焦阳气通行于诸经，脐下肾间的动气，是十二经脉的根本，所以称为原。五脏六腑都有病时取用原穴，脏病针刺输穴，腑病针刺合穴。
井穴处肌肉浅薄，大多不宜深刺，所以经文常常只提荥穴和输穴。
歌诀说：
手大指内侧属太阴肺经，少商是井穴，鱼际是荥穴，太渊穴号称为输穴兼原穴，行气进入经渠（经穴），尺泽（合穴）类似。
食指外侧属阳明大肠经，商阳（井穴）、二间（荥穴）、三间（输穴）要详细知晓，合谷（原穴）、阳溪（经穴）根据穴位选取，曲池为合穴正好相当。
中指内侧属厥阴心包络，中冲（井穴）在掌心中寻找劳宫（荥穴），大陵为输穴本是原穴，间使（经穴）从容求取曲泽（合穴）。
无名指外侧属三焦经，关冲（井穴）寻至液门（荥穴）头部，输穴和原穴在中渚、阳池取，经穴和合穴在支沟、天井求。
手小指内侧属少阴心经，少冲、少府寻找井穴和荥穴，神门输穴作为原穴，灵道（经穴）仍须少海（合穴）才是真。
手小指外侧属小肠经，少泽（井穴）流向前谷（荥穴）内，后溪、腕骨是输穴和原穴，阳谷为经穴，小海为合穴。
足大指内侧属太阴脾经，井穴荥穴隐白、大都推崇，太白为输穴原穴，商丘（经穴）穴，阴陵泉为合穴要知道。
足大指端属厥阴肝经，大敦为井穴（荥穴行间），太冲为输穴原穴都是，经穴在中封，合穴曲泉。
第二指端属阳明胃经，厉兑（井穴）、内庭（荥穴）必须要领会，陷谷（输穴）、冲阳（原穴）、经穴解溪，三里（合穴）膝下三寸是。
足掌心中属少阴肾经，涌泉（井穴）、然谷（荥穴）天然确定，太溪为输穴又为原穴，复溜（经穴）、阴谷（合穴）能医病。
足第四趾属少阳经，窍阴为井穴，侠溪为荥穴，输穴原穴临泣、丘墟穴，阳辅（经穴）、阳陵泉（合穴）要认真。
足小指外侧属膀胱经，至阴、通谷井穴荥穴恰当，束骨（输穴）其次寻找京骨（原穴）穴，昆仑为经穴，委中为合穴。
经文说：左边盛实则右边发病，右边盛实则左边发病。右边疼痛未止，左边的脉象先有病。左边疼痛未止，右边的脉象先有病。像这样的情况，必须用巨刺法。这是五个穴位临时变合，是刺法中最大的法则。
巨刺，是刺经脉的方法。
窦材先生说：公孙穴通冲脉，治胃心胸；内关穴通阴维脉，二者下总相同；临泣穴通胆经连带脉；阳维脉在目锐眦，外关穴相逢。后溪穴通督脉，治内背颈；申脉穴通阳跷脉，络脉也相通。列缺穴通任脉，行于肺系；阴跷脉通照海穴，治膈喉咙。
又说：阳跷、阳维并督脉；
这三脉属阳。
主治肩背腰腿在表之病；阴跷、阴维、任脉、冲脉、带脉，
这五脉属阴。
主治心腹胁肋在里之病，这是奇经主病的要领。
《兰江赋》说：先将八法定为定例，在流注之中分次节。欲解之病，内关担当；脐下公孙用拦法。头部须逢寻列缺，痰涎壅塞及咽干，噤口喉风针照海，三棱出血刻时安。伤寒在表并头疼，外关泻动自然安，眼目之症诸疾苦，更用临泣使针担。后溪专治督脉病，癫狂此法治还轻，申脉能除寒与热，头风偏正及心惊。耳鸣鼻塞胸中满，好用金针此穴寻。盖公孙配内关为子母，合于心胸胃冲脉；临泣配外关为妻夫，合于目锐眦、耳后、颊车、肩颈、缺盆、胸；后溪配申脉为夫妻，合于小肠膀胱内、背颈、耳、肩膊属；列缺配照海为母子，合于肺及肺系、喉咙、胸膈，这就是八脉交会。凡脾经左右四十二个穴位，统于公孙二穴，一切脾病皆治。其余经脉仿照此理。心包络配内关，胆配临泣，三焦配外关，小肠配后溪，膀胱配申脉，肺配列缺，肾配照海。
配合后天八卦，乾、坎、艮、震、巽、离、坤、兑，以五行生旺为次序。从乾宫起甲顺行，则甲胆窍阴配乾，乙肝大敦（附于乾），丙小肠少泽配坎，丁心少冲配艮，戊胃厉兑配震，己脾隐白配巽，庚大肠商阳配离，辛肺少商配坤，壬膀胱至阴（附于坤），癸肾涌泉配兑，三焦寄于壬，包络寄于癸，这是论天干的情况。地支从乾宫起子顺行，则子属乾，午属巽，卯属艮，酉属坤，（即子午卯酉四正位）寅属坎，申属离，巳属震，亥属兑。（即寅申巳亥四旁位）辰戌丑未寄旺，所以不入卦，但在卦中则为老阴、老阳、少阴、少阳；（乾、震、坎、艮为三男，坤、巽、离、兑为三女）在十二经脉与奇经中，则为大阴、大阳、少阴、少阳；（卦为虚，穴为实，犹如地理风水用穴不用卦，卦向是在穴中作的）经文说：邪气客于大络，左注右，右注左，上下左右，其气无常，不入经俞，命曰缪刺。（缪刺，是刺络脉的方法。言络脉与经脉交错之处，身体有蜷挛疼痛，而脉无病，刺其阴阳交贯之道）这八个穴位的配合定位刺法是最奇妙的，因此头病取足部穴位，而用手部穴位应验；足病取手部穴位，而用足部穴位应验；左病取右侧，而用左侧应验；右病取左侧，而用右侧应验。散针也应当这样。（头为阳，足为阴，头病取足者，因为头气走足。足病不取头者，因为足气不走头。左右病必互针者，是为了引邪复正的缘故）散针，是治疗杂病而分散使用某些穴位，因病情的适宜而针刺，起初不拘泥于流注。至于折伤跌扑、损逆走痛，因其病所在的位置而针刺，虽然穴位也不顾及其是否得气与否。（指哪里痛针哪里，徐氏称之为天应穴）这是穴法的概略。
Ancient texts state that a physician must master three medical classics: the first is *Huangdi Zhenjiu* (Yellow Emperor's Acupuncture), the second is *Shennong Bencao* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), and the third is *Qibo Maijue* (Qibo's Pulse Manual). The *Maijue* is used to observe symptoms, *Bencao* is used to distinguish herbs, and acupuncture is used to eliminate diseases; without these three, one cannot speak of medicine. Placing *Bencao* at the end serves to unify the volume size.
Acupuncture methods are diverse; currently, we take *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) as the main basis. "Zi" represents Yang; "Wu" represents Yin. Why not directly say Yin and Yang but rather Zi and Wu? This is precisely to show that the Ren and Du meridians in the human body circulate in correspondence with the Zi and Wu directions of heaven and earth. Therefore, geographical compass needles do not depart from the Zi-Wu line, which is the profound application of natural Yin and Yang. The "Eight Methods" focus on eight acupoints of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, which are the great gatherings of the Twelve Regular Meridians. Speaking of the "Zi-Wu Eight Methods" refers to combining the Zi-Wu Flowing-Note method with the Eight Extraordinary Vessels methods.
The essentials of divine acupuncture have four aspects:
First is the Method of Points. The 360 points over the whole body are unified into 66 points on the hands and feet. These 66 points are further unified into eight points, hence referred to as the Extraordinary Vessels (referring here to the Eight Confluent Points of the Extraordinary Vessels).
Second is Opening and Closing. Swallows avoid Wu and Ji days; bats rest on Geng and Shen days. Even animal natures are like this, let alone the human body, a small universe? Therefore, chronic illnesses must wait for the timing of opening and closing, just as epidemic diseases must follow the theory of Five Movements and Six Qi; acute illnesses do not拘泥 (stick rigidly) to opening and closing, similar to how miscellaneous diseases set aside heavenly timing and follow the patient's condition.
Third is Ying and Sui (Following and Opposing). Ying means opposing (against the meridian flow); Sui means following (with the meridian flow). Opposing constitutes the reducing method; following constitutes the reinforcing method. A slight error in Ying and Sui will cause chaotic Qi and Blood. Although small effects may be seen immediately, other syndromes will inevitably arise later. The proverb says: "Eyes will not go blind unless needled; feet will not become deformed unless needled."
Fourth is Flying through the Meridians and Moving Qi. People today only know that flying through meridians and moving Qi is difficult, but they do not realize that if Ying and Sui are understood clearly, the principles of flying and moving are included within them.
Regarding the Zi-Wu Flowing-Note in point selection:
Liu (Flow) means going; Zhu (Pour/Stay) means staying. This is the circulation of Shen (Spirit) and Qi.
Each of the Twelve Regular Meridians has five specific points, corresponding to the Five Elements: Jing (Well), Ying (Spring), Shu (Stream), Jing (River), and He (Sea). The classic states: "What issues out is the Well." The Well is like a water source that is never exhausted when drawn from nor overflowing when filled, describing its constant state. It corresponds to the East and Spring, the beginning of all things.
"What flows is Ying"; what is poured is Shu; what travels is Jing; what enters is He. It corresponds to the North and Winter, the storage of all things. The meridians of the human body are like water flowing underground. The Well is like the source of water just emerging; the still weak flow is called Ying; water flowing down continuously is called Shu; water passing through is called Jing; passing through here and entering the Zang-Fu organs to meet with other meridians is called He. *Suwen* says: "The Six Meridians are rivers, the stomach and intestines are the sea," which is exactly this meaning.
Jing (Well) points govern epigastric fullness; Liver pathogenic factors are treated at Jing points.
Ying (Spring) points govern body heat; Heart pathogenic factors are treated at Ying points.
Shu (Stream) points govern heaviness of the body and joint pain in the limbs; Spleen pathogenic factors are treated at Shu points.
Jing (River) points govern cough, asthma, cold, and fever; Lung pathogenic factors are treated at Jing points.
He (Sea) points govern rebellious Qi and diarrhea; Kidney pathogenic factors are treated at He points.
Hand points do not exceed the elbow; foot points do not exceed the knee. The Yang stems comprise 36 points, and the Yin stems comprise 30 points, totaling 66 points. The six additional points in the Yang stems are Yuan (Source) points: Hegu (LI4), Wanggu (SI4), Qiuxu (GB40), Chongyang (ST42), Jinggu (BL64), and Yangchi (TE4).
The Zang organs have five Jing and Ying points each; the Fu organs have six Jing and Ying points each. The classic states: Gallbladder Yuan is Qiuxu; Liver Yuan is Taichong; Small Intestine Yuan is Wanggu; Heart Yuan is Shenmen; Stomach Yuan is Chongyang; Spleen Yuan is Taibai; Large Intestine Yuan is Hegu; Lung Yuan is Taiyuan; Bladder Yuan is Jinggu; Kidney Yuan is Taixi; Sanjiao Yuan is Yangchi; Pericardium Yuan is Daling. For the Twelve Meridians where the Shu point serves as the Yuan point, it is because the Qi of the Sanjiao circulates through all meridians. The moving Qi below the umbilicus in the Kidney region is the root of the Twelve Meridians, hence called Yuan. When treating diseases of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, one takes the Yuan points. For Zang diseases, needle the Shu points; for Fu diseases, needle the He points.
Jing (Well) points have shallow muscle layers and are generally not suitable for deep needling, so the classics often mention only Ying and Shu points.
Rhyme says:
On the medial side of the thumb belongs the Taiyin Lung Meridian; Shaoshang is the Jing point, Yuji is the Ying point, Taiyuan is the Shu and Yuan point, Xingqi leads to Jingqu (Jing point), and Chize (He point) is similar.
On the lateral side of the index finger belongs the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; Shangyang (Jing), Erjian (Ying), Sanjian (Shu) should be detailed; Hegu (Yuan), Yangxi (Jing) are selected according to the points, and Quchi is the He point, perfectly matching.
On the medial side of the middle finger belongs the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian; Zhongchong (Jing) is sought in the palm at Laogong (Ying); Daling is the Shu and Yuan point; Jianshi (Jing) seeks Quze (He point) calmly.
On the lateral side of the ring finger belongs the Sanjiao Meridian; Guanchong (Jing) leads to Ye Men (Ying) head; Shu and Yuan are taken at Zhongzhu and Yangchi; Jing and He are sought at Zhigou and Tianjing.
On the medial side of the little finger belongs the Shaoyin Heart Meridian; Shaochong and Shaofu seek Jing and Ying points; Shenmen Shu point serves as the Yuan point; Lingdao (Jing) still requires Shaohai (He point) to be true.
On the lateral side of the little finger belongs the Small Intestine Meridian; Shaoze (Jing) flows into Qian Gu (Ying); Houxi and Wanggu are Shu and Yuan points; Yanggu is the Jing point, Xiaohai is the He point.
On the medial side of the big toe belongs the Taiyin Spleen Meridian; Jing and Ying are Yinbai and Dazhong; Taibai is Shu and Yuan; Shangqiu (Jing) point; Yinlingquan is the He point, essential to know.
At the tip of the big toe belongs the Jueyin Liver Meridian; Dadun is the Jing point (Xingjian is Ying); Taichong is Shu and Yuan; Jingqu is Zhongfeng (Jing point), and Ququan is the He point.
At the tip of the second toe belongs the Yangming Stomach Meridian; Lidui (Jing) and Neiting (Ying) must be mastered; Xiangu (Shu), Chongyang (Yuan), Jingqu (Jing); Zusanli (He) is three cun below the knee.
In the center of the sole belongs the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; Yongquan (Jing) and Ranggu (Ying) are naturally fixed; Taixi is Shu and Yuan; Fuliu (Jing) and Yinggu (He) can treat diseases.
On the fourth toe belongs the Shaoyang Meridian; Guanyin is the Jing point, Xiaxi is the Ying point; Shu and Yuan are Linqi and Qiuxu points; Yangfu (Jing) and Yanglingquan (He) require seriousness.
On the lateral side of the little toe belongs the Bladder Meridian; Zhiyin and Tonggu are appropriate for Jing and Ying points; Shugu (Shu) next seeks Jinggu (Yuan) point; Kunlun is the Jing point, Weizhong is the He point.
The classic says: If the left is excess, disease appears on the right; if the right is excess, disease appears on the left. If pain persists on the right, the pulse on the left shows disease first. If pain persists on the left, the pulse on the right shows disease first. In such cases, Ju Ci (Giant Puncture) must be used. This involves the temporary combination of five points and is the most significant method of puncture.
Ju Ci refers to puncturing the meridians.
Master Dou said: Gongsun connects to the Chong Mai, treating the stomach, chest, and heart; Neiguan connects to the Yin Wei Mai, both governing the lower aspect similarly; Linqi connects to the Gallbladder Meridian and Dai Mai; Yang Wei Mai meets at the outer canthus via Waiguan. Houxi connects to the Du Mai, treating the interior back and neck; Shenmai connects to the Yang Qiao Mai, also connecting to collaterals. Lieque connects to the Ren Mai, traveling through the lung system; Yin Qiao Mai connects to Zhaohai, treating the diaphragm and throat.
It is also said: Yang Qiao, Yang Wei, and Du Mai;
These three meridians belong to Yang.
They govern diseases of the shoulder, back, waist, and legs on the exterior; Yin Qiao, Yin Wei, Ren, Chong, and Dai Mai;
These five meridians belong to Yin.
They govern diseases of the heart, abdomen, flanks, and ribs on the interior. This is the essence of diseases governed by the Extraordinary Vessels.
*Lan Jiang Fu* says: First establish the Eight Methods as a fixed rule, dividing stages within the Flowing Notes. To resolve certain diseases, Neiguan takes charge; for those below the umbilicus, use the blocking method with Gongsun. For head ailments, seek Lieque; for phlegm obstruction and dry throat, or lockjaw and wind in the throat, needle Zhaohai, bleeding with a three-edged needle brings instant relief. For exterior cold damage and headache, reducing Waiguan brings natural peace; for eye disorders and various afflictions, use Linqi to take charge. Houxi specializes in treating Du Mai diseases; epilepsy and mania are lightened by this method; Shenmai can remove cold and heat, headaches (both frontal and temporal), and palpitations. For tinnitus, nasal congestion, and chest fullness, this golden needle point is useful. Gongsun paired with Neiguan acts as mother and son, connecting to the heart, chest, stomach, and Chong Mai; Linqi paired with Waiguan acts as husband and wife, connecting to the outer canthus, behind the ear, Jiache, shoulder, neck, clavicle, and chest; Houxi paired with Shenmai acts as husband and wife, connecting to the interior of the Small Intestine and Bladder, back, neck, ears, shoulders, and arms; Lieque paired with Zhaohai acts as mother and son, connecting to the lungs, lung system, throat, and diaphragm. These are the Eight Confluent Points. All 42 points on the Spleen Meridian (left and right) are unified under the two Gongsun points, treating all Spleen diseases. Other meridians follow this pattern. Pericardium pairs with Neiguan; Gallbladder with Linqi; Sanjiao with Waiguan; Small Intestine with Houxi; Bladder with Shenmai; Lungs with Lieque; Kidneys with Zhaohai.
Matching with the Later Heaven Bagua: Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui, ordered by the generation and prosperity of the Five Elements. Starting from Qian Palace with Jia moving clockwise: Jia Gallbladder Guanyin matches Qian; Yi Liver Dadun (attached to Qian); Bing Small Intestine Shaoze matches Kan; Ding Heart Shaochong matches Gen; Wu Stomach Lidui matches Zhen; Ji Spleen Yinbai matches Xun; Geng Large Intestine Shangyang matches Li; Xin Lung Shaoshang matches Kun; Ren Bladder Zhiyin (attached to Kun); Gui Kidney Yongquan matches Dui; Sanjiao attaches to Ren; Pericardium attaches to Gui. This discusses Heavenly Stems. Earthly Branches start from Qian Palace with Zi moving clockwise: Zi belongs to Qian, Wu belongs to Xun, Mao belongs to Gen, You belongs to Kun (these are the Four Cardinal Directions Zi-Wu-Mao-You); Yin belongs to Kan, Shen belongs to Li, Si belongs to Zhen, Hai belongs to Dui (these are the Four Corners Yin-Shen-Si-Hai). Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei attach to prosperity, thus do not enter the Bagua, but within the Bagua they represent Old Yin, Old Yang, Young Yin, Young Yang; (Qian, Zhen, Kan, Gen are Three Sons; Kun, Xun, Li, Dui are Three Daughters); in the Twelve Meridians and Extraordinary Vessels, they represent Great Yin, Great Yang, Young Yin, Young Yang; (Bagua is virtual, acupoints are real, just as Feng Shui uses points rather than Bagua, direction is made within the point). The classic says: When evil invades the large collaterals, it moves from left to right and right to left, up and down, left and right, with unpredictable Qi, not entering the regular meridians or Shu points; this is called Miu Ci (Erratic Puncture). (Miu Ci refers to puncturing collateral vessels. It means collaterals and meridians intersect; when the body has curling, spasms, and pain, but the pulse shows no disease, puncture the pathways where Yin and Yang intersect.) This configuration and positioning of the eight points for puncture is the most extraordinary. Therefore, for head diseases, take foot points and respond with hand points; for foot diseases, take hand points and respond with foot points; for left-sided diseases, take the right side and respond with the left; for right-sided diseases, take the left side and respond with the right. Scattered needling should also be done thus. (The head is Yang, the feet are Yin. Taking foot points for head diseases is because head Qi travels to the feet. Not taking head points for foot diseases is because foot Qi does not travel to the head. Interleaving needling for left/right diseases is to draw out evil and restore righteousness.) Scattered needling treats miscellaneous diseases by dispersing the use of specific points, needling according to the suitability of the illness, initially not restricted by Flowing Notes. As for fractures, falls, injuries, and wandering pains, needle according to the location of the disease, disregarding whether the specific acupoint is obtained or not. (Needling the painful spot itself, Mr. Xu calls it Tianying Point). This is the general outline of point methods.