不问所感病证，或温，或凉，或热，或寒。如春时有病，先取气上，后取气下；夏月有
病，
气自然行。以是不绝生化之源也。
《内经》曰∶必先遂其气，而无伐天和，是为至治。又曰∶违时伐气。又曰∶无伐生之
气。此皆常道用针。春复秋冬，循环之法。若反其常，则阴阳气上气下，不可乱矣。
凡刺之理，经络为始。经络者，能决死生处，有病调虚实，不可不通也。夫经者，内干
五脏
无端。常以平旦为纪。其脉始从中焦手太阴，出于手阳明，上行注足阳明，下行至跗上去大
指间，与太阴相合，上行抵脾，注心，心注手少阴，出腋，下臂，次上巅，下注小指，合手
太阳，循脊，下至尻下行注小指之端，循足心，注少阴，上行肾，注心，外散于胸中，循于
心主脉，注腋，下臂，入两筋之间，入掌中，出中指之端，还注小指次指之端，合手少阳，
上行膻中，散于三焦，注胆，出胁，注足少阳，下行至跗上，复从跗注大指间，合足厥阴，
上注至肝，注肺，复出手太阴，此荣气之行也，逆顺之常。荣卫之行，常循其经。周身之度
，一十六丈二尺，一日夜行八百十一丈，计五十度周身于卫气，则下循其经焉。昼则行阳，
夜则行阴，行阳者行诸经，行阴者行诸脏。
凡刺之道，荣卫所在至后，用气上、气下，开通经络。
无论感受何种病证，无论是温病、凉病、热病还是寒病。如果在春季患病，先调理气机上行的规律，后调理气机下行的规律；夏季患病，气机自然运行通畅。以此不枯竭生化之源。
《黄帝内经》说：必须先顺应气机的运行，不要破坏人体的自然和谐，这才是最高明的治疗。又说：违背时令而损伤气机。又说：不要损伤生发之气。这些都是常规用针的原则。春、夏、秋、冬四季循环往复的治疗方法。如果违背常规，那么阴阳之气的气上、气下就会混乱。
大凡针刺的道理，以经络为起点。经络，能决定生死，处理疾病时调节虚实，不可不通晓。经脉，内连五脏，没有尽头。通常以平旦（清晨）作为纪时的标准。脉气开始从中焦的手太阴肺经发出，出于手阳明大肠经，上行注入足阳明胃经，下行至足背，去到大脚趾间，与手太阴肺经相合，上行抵达脾脏，注入心脏，心脏注入手少阴心经，出于腋下，沿手臂下行，依次上达头顶，向下注入小指，与手太阳小肠经相合，沿脊柱下行至尾骨，向下注入小趾末端，沿足心，注入足少阴肾经，上行至肾脏，注入心脏，外散于胸中，沿手厥阴心包经，注入腋下，沿手臂下行，进入两筋之间，进入手掌中，出于中指尖端，还注于无名指次指的末端，与手少阳三焦经相合，上行至膻中，散布于三焦，注入胆腑，出于胁肋，注入足少阳胆经，下行至足背，又从足背注入大脚趾间，与足厥阴肝经相合，上行注入肝脏，注入肺脏，再出手太阴肺经，这是营气运行的规律，也是逆顺的常道。营卫之气的运行，常沿着经络进行。周身经脉的长度，一十六丈二尺，一天一夜运行八百一十一丈，共计五十周全身。对于卫气，则沿其经脉下行。白天行于阳分，夜晚行于阴分。行于阳分的是运行于各条经脉，行于阴分的是运行于各个脏腑。
大凡针刺的方法，在于营卫之气所在之处，在气机之后，运用气上、气下的方法，开通经络。
Regardless of the disease syndrome contracted, whether it is warm, cool, hot, or cold. If illness occurs in spring, first regulate the ascending Qi, then regulate the descending Qi; if illness occurs in summer, Qi moves naturally. This ensures the source of generation and transformation is not exhausted.
The *Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: "One must first comply with the movement of Qi and not damage the harmony of Heaven (natural constitution); this is the highest treatment." It also states: "Do not violate the seasons and damage Qi." And again: "Do not damage the generating Qi." These are all the standard principles of using acupuncture. The methods for Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter follow a cyclical pattern. If one acts contrary to these norms, the Yin and Yang Qi, specifically the ascending and descending Qi, will become chaotic.
The principle of all needling begins with the meridians (Jing-Luo). Meridians can determine life and death, and when treating disease, they regulate deficiency and excess; thus, they must be thoroughly understood. The channels internally connect to the Five Zang Organs without end. They are typically measured starting from dawn (Pingdan). The pulse qi originates from the Middle Jiao, enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel, emerges into the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Channel, ascends and injects into the Foot-Yangming Stomach Channel, descends to the dorsum of the foot, goes between the big toe, and joins with the Hand-Taiyin, ascending to reach the Spleen, injecting into the Heart. The Heart injects into the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Channel, emerging from the axilla, descending along the arm, reaching the vertex, and descending to inject into the little finger, joining the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Channel. It follows the spine, descends to the sacrum, and injects into the tip of the little toe. Following the sole of the foot, it injects into the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney Channel, ascending to the Kidneys, injecting into the Heart, and dispersing externally into the chest. It follows the Pericardium Channel, injects into the axilla, descends along the arm, enters between the two tendons, enters the palm, emerges at the tip of the middle finger, returns to inject into the tip of the ring finger, joining the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel. It ascends to the Shanzhong (Chest Center), disperses into the Triple Burner, injects into the Gallbladder, emerges from the hypochondrium, and injects into the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel. It descends to the dorsum of the foot, again from the dorsum injects between the big toes, joining the Foot-Jueyin Liver Channel, ascending to inject into the Liver, then into the Lungs, and finally re-emerges into the Hand-Taiyin Lung Channel. This is the circulation of Ying (Nutritive) Qi, the normal course of reverse and forward flow. The circulation of Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi usually follows the meridians. The total length of the meridians throughout the body is sixteen zhang and two chi. In one day and night, it travels eight hundred eleven zhang, completing fifty circuits around the body. For Wei Qi, it follows down the meridians. During the day, it travels through the Yang aspects; at night, it travels through the Yin aspects. Traveling through Yang means circulating through the various meridians; traveling through Yin means circulating through the various Zang organs.
In general, the method of needling lies where Ying and Wei Qi reside. After the Qi has moved, employ techniques of ascending and descending Qi to open and unblock the meridians.