火针即淬针,频以麻油蘸其针,灯上烧令通红,用方有功。若不红,不能去病,反损于
人。烧时令针头低下,恐油热伤手,先令他人烧针,医者临时用之,以免手热。先以墨点记
穴道,使针时无差。火针甚难,须有临阵之将心,方可行针。先以左手按穴,右手用针,切
忌太深,恐伤经络,太浅不能去病,惟消息取中耳。凡行火针,必先安慰病患,令勿惊惧,
较之与灸一般,灸则疼久,针则所疼不久,一针之后,速便出针,不可久留,即以左手速按
孔,则能止疼。人身诸处皆可行火针,惟面上忌之。火针不宜针香港脚,反加肿痛,宜破痈疽
发背,溃脓在内,外面皮无头者,但按毒上软处以溃脓,其阔大者,按头尾及中以墨点记,
宜下三针,决破出脓,一针肿上,不可按之,即以手指从两旁捺之。令脓随手而出,或肿大
脓多,针时须侧身回避,恐脓射出污身也。
王节斋曰∶近有为温针者,乃楚人之法。其法针穴上,以香白芷作圆饼,套针上,以艾
灸之,多以取效。然古者针则不灸,灸则不针。夫针而加灸,灸而且针,此后人俗法。此法
行于山野贫贱之人,经络受风寒致病者,或有效,只是温针通气而已。于血宜衍,于疾无与
也。古针法最妙,但今无传,恐不得精高之人,误用之则危拙出于顷刻。惟灸得穴,有益无
害,允宜行之。近风衰弱之人,针灸并用,亦无妨。
火针即淬针,频繁用麻油蘸取针体,在灯上烧至通红,使用才有效。如果不烧红,不仅不能去除疾病,反而损害人体。烧针时让针头朝下,防止热油烫伤手,先让别人烧针,医生临时使用,以避免手部受热。先用墨汁标记穴位,使针刺时不出现差错。火针很难掌握,必须有临阵对敌的将领心态,才可以施针。先用左手按压穴位,右手持针,切忌刺得太深,恐怕损伤经络,太浅则不能去除疾病,只有斟酌把握适中罢了。凡是施行火针,必须先安抚病人,使其不要惊恐害怕,这与艾灸差不多,艾灸疼痛时间久,火针疼痛时间短,一针之后,迅速出针,不可久留,随即用左手快速按压针孔,就能止痛。人体各处都可以施行火针,只有面部忌讳使用。火针不适合治疗香港脚(足部疾患),反而会增加肿痛,适宜用于破溃痈疽发背,脓液在体内,外部皮肤没有脓头的情况,只要按压毒处柔软的地方来排脓,如果范围阔大,在头部、尾部及中间用墨汁标记,适宜下三针,决破排出脓液,一针刺在肿胀处,不可按压,就用手指从两旁捺压,令脓液随手而出,或者肿大脓多,针刺时必须侧身回避,恐怕脓液射出污染身体。
王节斋说:近来有人使用温针,这是楚地的方法。其方法是针刺穴位后,用香白芷做成圆饼,套在针上,再用艾条灸治,大多能取得疗效。然而古代是针则不灸,灸则不针。既针又加灸,既灸又针,这是后人的世俗方法。这种方法在山野贫贱之人中流行,因经络受风寒致病者,或许有效,只是通过温针通气而已。对于血液宜于滋养,对于疾病没有直接关系。古代的针法最妙,但如今没有传承,恐怕得不到技艺高超的人,误用的话危险和笨拙会在顷刻间出现。只有艾灸得穴,有益无害,确实应该施行。近来风邪衰弱之人,针灸并用,也没有妨碍。
Fire needle, also known as quenched needle (Cuì zhēn), is frequently dipped in sesame oil and burned red-hot over a lamp before use to be effective. If not heated sufficiently, it fails to cure the disease and may instead harm the patient. When heating, the needle tip should be kept downward to prevent hot oil from burning the hand; it is advisable to have an assistant heat the needles for the practitioner to use immediately, thereby avoiding heat transmission to the hands. Mark the acupoints with ink beforehand to ensure accuracy during needling. The technique of fire needle is difficult and requires the resolve of a general facing battle; only then can one proceed. Use the left hand to press the acupoint and the right hand to insert the needle. Avoid inserting too deeply to prevent damage to the meridians and collaterals (Jīng luò); if too shallow, the disease cannot be expelled. One must carefully gauge the appropriate depth. Before performing fire needle therapy, comfort the patient to alleviate fear and anxiety, similar to moxibustion. Moxibustion causes prolonged pain, whereas fire needle pain is brief. After insertion, withdraw the needle quickly without retention. Immediately press the puncture site with the left hand to stop pain. Fire needle can be applied to all parts of the body except the face, where it is contraindicated. Fire needle is unsuitable for treating Hong Kong foot (Zú xiè, tinea pedis) as it may exacerbate swelling and pain. It is indicated for breaking open carbuncles and back sores (Yōng jū fā bèi) where pus is retained internally but no external head is visible. Press the soft area of the toxicity to facilitate pus drainage. For large lesions, mark the head, tail, and center with ink; three needles are suitable. Pierce to break the skin and drain pus. For a single needle on the swollen area, do not press; instead, use fingers to press from both sides to guide the pus out. If swelling is severe with abundant pus, avoid facing the lesion directly during needling to prevent spray contamination.
Wang Jiezhai stated: Recently, some practitioners use warm needle (Wēn zhēn), a method originating from Chu. The technique involves inserting a needle into the acupoint, placing a round cake of Bletilla striata Rhizome (Xiāng bái zhǐ) onto the needle handle, and applying moxibustion. This often yields good results. However, in ancient times, needling was performed without moxibustion, and moxibustion without needling. Combining both is a later folk practice. This method is prevalent among poor people in rural areas and may be effective for diseases caused by wind-cold invading the meridians and collaterals, primarily by warming and unblocking Qi. It benefits blood nourishment but has little direct effect on the disease itself. Ancient needling techniques were superior, but their transmission is lost. Without skilled practitioners, misuse could lead to danger or ineffectiveness instantly. Moxibustion at accurate acupoints is beneficial and harmless, making it highly recommended. For individuals weakened by wind pathogen, combining acupuncture and moxibustion is also acceptable.