带脉者，起于季胁，回身一周其为病也，腰腹纵容，如囊水之状，其脉气所发，在季胁
下一寸八分，正名带脉，谓其回身一周如带也，又与足少阳会于维道（在章门下五寸三分），
凡此带脉所发，共四穴也。
论曰凡刺之要，官针最妙，九针之为，各有所宜，长短小大，各有所施，不得其用，病
弗能移，疾浅针深，内伤良肉，皮肤为痈，病深针浅，病气不泻，反为大脓，病小针大，泻
气太甚，必为后害，病大针小，大气不泻，后亦为败，欲知九针之宜者，一曰 针法天，谓
五脏之应天者肺也，肺与皮毛合，为之治针，必大其头而锐其末，令无得深入而阳气泄，故
针者，取法于布针，去末半寸猝锐之，长一寸六分，以治热在头身也，经曰∶病在皮肤无
常处者，取以 针，二曰员针法地，谓人之所以应土者肉也，为之治针，必筒其身而员其末
，令无得伤肉，伤则气竭，故员针者，取法于絮针，筒其身而卵其锋，长一寸六分，治肉分
间气。经曰∶病在分肉间，取以员针，三曰 针法人，谓人之所以生成者血脉也，为之治针
，必大其身而员其末，令可以接脉，勿陷以致其气，令邪气独出，故 针者，取法于黍粟之
锐，长三寸半，以接脉取气，令邪出，经曰∶病在脉气小，当补之者，取以 针，四曰锋针
法时，谓四时八风之客于经络中，为痼疾者也，为之治针，必筒其身而锋其末，令可以泻热
出血发痼，故锋针者，取法于絮针，筒身锋末，长一寸六分，治痈热出血，经曰∶病在经络
为痼痹者，取以锋针，五曰铍针法音，谓冬夏之分，分于子午，阴与阳别，寒与热争，两气
相合为痈脓者也，为之治针，必令其末如剑锋，可以取大脓，故铍针者，取法于剑锋，广二
分半，长四寸，治大脓两热争者，经曰∶病有大脓者，取以铍针，六曰员利针法律，谓调阴
阳四时而合十二经脉，虚邪客于经脉而为暴痹者也，故员利针者，取法于厘针，微大其末，
反小其身，令可深内，长一寸六分，以取痈痹，经曰∶病痹气暴发者，取以员利针，七曰毫
针法星，谓人之七窍邪客于经，而为痛痹舍于经络者也，为之治针，令尖如蚊虻喙，静以徐
往，微以久留，正气因之，真邪俱往，出针而养，故毫针者，取法于毫毛，长一寸六分，治
寒热痛痹在经络，经曰病痹气痛而不去者，取以毫针，入曰长针法风，谓人之股肱八节也，
八正之虚风伤人，内舍于骨解腰脊节腠理之间，而为深痹者，故长针者，取法于綦针，长七
寸，以取深邪远痹，经曰∶病在中者，取以长针，九曰大针法野，谓人之节解皮肤间淫邪流
溢于身，如风水之状，而溜不能过于机关大节者，为之治针，令尖如梃，其锋微员，以取大
气之不能过于关节者，故大针者，取法于锋针，其锋微员，长四寸，以取大气不出关节者，
经曰∶病为水肿不能过关节者，取以大针，诸病在五脏固居者，取以锋针，泻于井荥分输，
取以四时，此九针之数也。
带脉，起始于季胁部，环绕身体一周。它发病时，腰部腹部松弛无力，状如囊中盛水。其脉气发出的部位，在季胁下一寸八分处，正式名称为“带脉”，是因为它环绕身体一周如同腰带一样。此外，它与足少阳胆经交会于维道穴（位于章门穴下五寸三分）。凡是带脉所发出的穴位，共有四个。
论述说：大凡针刺的要领，使用官针最为精妙。九种针具的制作，各有适宜的用途，长短大小，各有所施，如果不掌握其用法，疾病就无法消除。病位浅而针刺过深，会内伤良肉，导致皮肤发生痈肿；病位深而针刺过浅，病邪之气不能排出，反而会导致化脓成大脓疡。病情轻而针具过大，泻气太过，必然造成后患；病情重而针具过小，大气（邪气）不能排出，日后也会败坏。想要了解九种针具的适宜用法：
第一种是镵针，取法于天。对应五脏中与天相应的肺脏。肺与皮毛相合，治疗时所用的针，必须头大而末端锐利，使其不能深入而只泄阳气。所以镵针，取法于布针，去掉末端半寸使其骤然锐利，长一寸六分，用于治疗头部和身体的热证。《内经》说：“病在皮肤且位置不固定的，用镵针治疗。”
第二种是员针，取法于地。人之所以对应土的是肌肉。治疗时所用的针，必须针身圆筒状而末端圆润，使其不能损伤肌肉，如果损伤了肌肉，正气就会竭绝。所以员针，取法于絮针，针身圆筒状而针锋呈卵圆形，长一寸六分，用于治疗肌肉间隙的气滞。《内经》说：“病在分肉之间的，用员针治疗。”
第三种是鍉针，取法于人。人之所以生成的是血脉。治疗时所用的针，必须针身粗大而末端圆润，使其能够接触脉管，不要陷入以致耗气，使邪气单独排出。所以鍉针，取法于黍粟之锐利，长三寸半，用于接触脉管以获取正气，使邪气排出。《内经》说：“病在脉气小，应当补益的，用鍉针治疗。”
第四种是锋针，取法于时。四时八风侵袭经络，成为顽固性疾病。治疗时所用的针，必须针身圆筒状而末端锋利，使其能够泻热、出血、发越痼疾。所以锋针，取法于絮针，针身圆筒状而针锋锋利，长一寸六分，用于治疗痈热出血。《内经》说：“病在经络成为顽固痹证的，用锋针治疗。”
第五种是铍针，取法于音。冬夏之分，在于子午之时，阴与阳有别，寒与热相争，两气相合形成痈脓。治疗时所用的针，必须令其末端像剑锋一样，可以切开排大脓。所以铍针，取法于剑锋，宽二分半，长四寸，用于治疗大脓及两热相争的病证。《内经》说：“病有大脓的，用铍针治疗。”
第六种是员利针，取法于律。调和阴阳四时以配合十二经脉，虚邪客于经脉而成为暴发性痹证。所以员利针，取法于厘针，末端略微粗大，针身相对细小，使其可以深刺，长一寸六分，用于治疗痈痹。《内经》说：“病痹气突然发作的，用员利针治疗。”
第七种是毫针，取法于星。人的七窍有邪气客于经络，成为痛痹并停留于经络。治疗时所用的针，令尖端像蚊虻的嘴一样，安静地缓慢进入，轻微地长久留针，借以扶助正气，真邪之气共同往来，出针后以滋养正气。所以毫针，取法于毫毛，长一寸六分，用于治疗寒热痛痹在经络的情况。《内经》说：“病痹气疼痛而不去的，用毫针治疗。”
第八种是长针，取法于风。人的大腿和手臂有八个关节节段，八正之时的虚风伤人，内舍于骨解、腰脊、节腠理之间，成为深部的痹证。所以长针，取法于綦针，长七寸，用于治疗深邪和远端的痹证。《内经》说：“病在深处的，用长针治疗。”
第九种是大针，取法于野。人的关节缝隙间，淫邪流溢于全身，状如风水病，但流动不能越过大的关节机关。治疗时所用的针，令尖端像棍棒一样，其锋略微圆润，用于取出不能通过关节的大气（积水/邪气）。所以大针，取法于锋针，其锋略微圆润，长四寸，用于治疗大气不能出于关节的病证。《内经》说：“病为水肿不能通过关节的，用大针治疗。”
各种病在五脏固居的，用锋针治疗，在井穴、荥穴、输穴处泻邪，取法于四时变化。这就是九针的数量和用法。
The Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) originates from the hypochondrium and encircles the body once. When diseased, it causes flaccidity and laxity of the waist and abdomen, resembling a water-filled bag. The points where its qi emerges are located 1.8 cun below the hypochondrium, formally named Dai Mai (Belt Vessel), because it encircles the body like a belt. Additionally, it intersects with the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel at Weidao (GB26, located 5.3 cun below Zhangmen LR13). In total, there are four acupoints where the Dai Mai (Belt Vessel) emerges.
It is stated that: Among the essentials of acupuncture, the use of official needles is most exquisite. The nine types of needles each have their specific indications; their length and size determine their application. If their usage is not mastered, diseases cannot be resolved. If the disease is superficial but the needle insertion is too deep, it will injure the healthy flesh internally, causing skin abscesses. If the disease is deep but the needle insertion is too shallow, the pathogenic qi will not be discharged, potentially leading to large suppurative abscesses. If the pathology is minor but the needle is too large, excessive draining of qi will inevitably cause subsequent harm. If the pathology is major but the needle is too small, the substantial pathogenic qi will not be discharged, leading to deterioration later. To understand the appropriate uses of the Nine Needles:
First is the Chan Needle (Chan Zhen), modeled after Heaven. It corresponds to the Lung, which among the Five Zang Organs corresponds to Heaven. The Lung harmonizes with the skin and hair. For treatment, the needle must have a large head and a sharp tip, ensuring it does not penetrate deeply but rather vents Yang Qi. Thus, the Chan Needle (Chan Zhen) is modeled after a cloth needle, with the distal half-inch removed to make it sharply acute, measuring 1.6 cun in length, used to treat heat in the head and body. The Classic states: "For diseases in the skin with no fixed location, use the Chan Needle (Chan Zhen)."
Second is the Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen), modeled after Earth. Humans correspond to Earth through their flesh/muscles. For treatment, the needle must have a cylindrical body and a rounded tip, ensuring it does not damage the muscle. Damage to the muscle would exhaust the Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). Thus, the Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen) is modeled after a cotton needle, with a cylindrical body and an egg-shaped tip, measuring 1.6 cun in length, used to treat qi stagnation between muscle layers. The Classic states: "For diseases between the muscles, use the Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen)."
Third is the Di Needle (Di Zhen), modeled after Humanity. Human generation relies on blood vessels. For treatment, the needle must have a thick body and a rounded tip, allowing it to contact the pulse without sinking too deep to deplete qi, thereby expelling only the pathogenic qi. Thus, the Di Needle (Di Zhen) is modeled after the sharpness of millet grains, measuring 3.5 cun in length, used to contact the pulse to gather Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) and expel pathogens. The Classic states: "For diseases involving small pulse qi requiring tonification, use the Di Needle (Di Zhen)."
Fourth is the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen), modeled after the Seasons. The Eight Winds of the four seasons invading the meridians become chronic diseases. For treatment, the needle must have a cylindrical body and a sharp tip, allowing it to drain heat, induce bleeding, and release chronic conditions. Thus, the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen) is modeled after a cotton needle, with a cylindrical body and a sharp tip, measuring 1.6 cun in length, used to treat abscesses, heat, and bleeding. The Classic states: "For diseases in the meridians becoming chronic bi-syndrome, use the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen)."
Fifth is the Pi Needle (Pi Zhen), modeled after Musical Notes. The division of winter and summer lies in the Zi and Wu hours, distinguishing Yin and Yang, where cold and heat contend. The combination of these two energies forms abscesses and pus. For treatment, the needle tip must resemble a sword edge, capable of draining large amounts of pus. Thus, the Pi Needle (Pi Zhen) is modeled after a sword edge, 2.5 fen wide and 4 cun long, used to treat large abscesses and contending heat/cold. The Classic states: "For diseases with large abscesses, use the Pi Needle (Pi Zhen)."
Sixth is the Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen), modeled after Rhythm/Law. It regulates Yin and Yang and the four seasons to align with the Twelve Meridians. When deficient pathogens invade the meridians causing sudden bi-syndrome, this needle is used. Thus, the Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen) is modeled after a Li Needle, with a slightly larger tip and a relatively thinner body, allowing for deep insertion. It measures 1.6 cun in length and is used to treat abscesses and bi-syndrome. The Classic states: "For sudden onset of bi-qi, use the Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen)."
Seventh is the Hao Needle (Hao Zhen), modeled after Stars. Pathogens invading the seven orifices enter the meridians, causing painful bi-syndrome lodged in the meridians. For treatment, the needle tip should resemble the proboscis of a mosquito or horsefly. Insert quietly and slowly, retain lightly for a long time, allowing Zheng Qi (Upright Qi) to follow, so that true and pathogenic qi interact. Upon withdrawal, nourish the body. Thus, the Hao Needle (Hao Zhen) is modeled after fine hairs, measuring 1.6 cun in length, used to treat cold-heat painful bi-syndrome in the meridians. The Classic states: "For bi-syndrome with persistent pain, use the Hao Needle (Hao Zhen)."
Eighth is the Chang Needle (Chang Zhen), modeled after Wind. The eight joints of the thighs and arms are vulnerable. Deficient winds from the eight correct seasons injure humans, lodging internally in the bone gaps, lumbar spine, and joint fissures, causing deep bi-syndrome. Thus, the Chang Needle (Chang Zhen) is modeled after a Qi Needle, measuring 7 cun in length, used to extract deep pathogens and distant bi-syndrome. The Classic states: "For diseases located deeply, use the Chang Needle (Chang Zhen)."
Ninth is the Da Needle (Da Zhen), modeled after the Wild/Open Space. Between the joints and skin, excessive pathogens overflow throughout the body, resembling wind-water edema, but unable to pass through the major joint mechanisms. For treatment, the needle tip should resemble a club, with a slightly rounded edge, used to extract substantial pathogenic qi (fluids) that cannot pass through the joints. Thus, the Da Needle (Da Zhen) is modeled after the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen), with a slightly rounded edge, measuring 4 cun in length, used to treat substantial qi/fluid retention failing to exit the joints. The Classic states: "For edema unable to pass through the joints, use the Da Needle (Da Zhen)."
For various diseases fixed within the Five Zang Organs, use the Feng Needle (Feng Zhen) to drain at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, timed according to the four seasons. This constitutes the number and application of the Nine Needles.