苍龙摆尾气交流。血气奋飞遍体周。任君疼痛诸般疾。一插须臾万病休。
下水船中一舵游。犹如赤凤上摇头。迎随顺逆须明辨。休得劳心苦外求。
子午捣臼达者稀。九入七出莫更移。万病自然合天数。故教病者笑微微。
观夫针道。捷法最奇。须要明于补泻。方可起于倾危。先分病之上下。次定穴之高低。
头有
在下而晚在上。用之必识其时。午前为早属阳。午后为晚属阴。男女上下。凭腰分之。手足
三阳。手走头而头走足。手足三阴。足走腹而胸走手。阴升阳降。出入之机。逆之者为泻为
迎。顺之者为补为随。春夏刺浅者以瘦。秋冬刺深者以肥。更观原气浓薄。浅深之刺尤宜。
原夫补泻之法。妙在呼吸手指。男子者。大指进前左转。呼之为补。退后右转。吸之为泻。
提针为热。插针为寒。女子者。大指退后右转。吸之为补。进前左转。呼之为泻。插针为热
。提针为寒。左与右有异。胸与背不同。午前者如此。午后者反之。是故爪而切之。下针之
法。摇而退之。出针之法。动而进之。催针之法。循而摄之。行气之法。搓则去病。弹则补
虚。肚腹盘旋。扪为穴闭。重沉豆许曰按。轻浮豆许曰提。一十四法。针要所备。补者一退
三飞。真气自归。泻者一飞三退。邪气自避。补则补其不足。泻则泻其有余。有余者。为肿
为痛。曰实。不足者。为痒为麻。曰虚。气速效速。气迟效迟。死生贵贱。针下皆知。贱者
硬而贵者脆。生者涩而死者虚。候之不至。必死无疑。且夫下针之法。先须爪按重而切之。
次令咳嗽一声。随咳下针。凡补先呼气。初针至皮内。乃曰天才。少停进针至肉内。是曰人
才。又停进针至于筋骨之间。名曰地才。此为极处。就当补之。再停良久。却须退针至人之
分。待气沉紧。倒针朝病。进退往来。飞经走气。尽在其中矣。凡泻者吸气。初针至天。少
停进针直至于地。得气泻之。再停良久。却须退针。复至于人。得气沉紧。倒针朝病。法同
前矣。其或晕针者。神气虚也。以针补之。以袖掩之。口鼻气回。热汤与之。略停少顷。根据
前再施。及夫调气之法。下针至地之后。复人之分。欲气上行。将针右捻。欲气下行。将针
左捻。欲补先呼后吸。欲泻先吸后呼。气不至者。以手循摄。以爪切掐。以针摇动。进捻搓弹
。直待气至。以龙虎升腾之法。按之在前。使气在后。按之在后。使气在前。运气走至疼痛
之所。以纳气之法。扶针直插。复向下纳。使气不回。若关节阻涩。气不过者。以龙虎龟凤
。通经接气。大段之法。驱而运之。仍以循摄爪切。无不应矣。此通仙之妙。况夫出针之法
。病势既退。针气微松。病未退者。针气始根。推之不动。转之不移。此为邪气吸拔其针。
乃真气未至。不可出之。出之者。其病即复。再须补泻。停以待之。直待微松。方可出针豆
许。摇而停之。补者吸之去疾。其穴急扪。泻者呼之去徐。其穴不闭。欲令腠密。然后吸气
。故曰下针贵迟。大急伤血。出针贵缓。大急伤气。以上总要。于斯尽矣。方夫治病。其法
有八。一曰烧山火。治顽麻冷痹先浅后深。用九阳而三进三退。慢提紧按。热至。紧闭。插
针。除寒之有准。二曰透天凉。治肌热骨蒸。先深后浅。用六阴而三出三入。紧提慢按。寒
至。徐徐举针。退热之可凭。皆细细搓之。退热准绳。三曰阳中引阴。先寒后热。自浅而深
。以九六之法。先补后泻也。四曰阴中引阳。先热后寒。自深而浅。以九六之方。则先泻后
补也。补者直须热至。泻者务待寒侵。犹如搓线。慢慢转针。法在浅则用浅。法在深则用深
。二者不可兼而紊之也。五曰子午捣臼。水蛊鬲气。落穴之后。调气均匀。针行上下。九入
六出。左右转之。十遭自平。六曰进气之诀。腰背肘膝痛。浑身走注疼。刺九分。行九补。
卧针五七吸。待气上下。亦可龙虎交战。左捻九而右捻六。是亦住痛之针。七曰留气之诀。
癖 瘕。刺七分。用纯阳。然后乃直插针。气来深刺。提针再停。八曰抽添之诀。瘫痪疮
癞。取其要穴。使九阳得气。提按搜索。大要运气周遍。扶针直插。复向下纳。回阳倒阴。
指下玄微。胸中活法。一有未应。反复再施。若夫过关过节催运气。以飞经走气。其法有四
。一曰青龙摆尾。如扶船舵。不进不退。一左一右。慢慢拨动。二曰白虎摇头。似手摇铃。
退方进圆。兼之左右。摇而振之。三曰苍龟探穴。如入土之象。一退三进。钻剔四方。四曰
赤凤迎源。展翅之仪。入针至地。提针至天。候针自摇。复进其原。上下左右。四围飞旋。
病在上吸而退之。病在下呼而进之。至夫久患偏枯。通经接气之法。已有定息寸数。手足三
阳。上九而下十四。过经四寸。手足三阴。上七而下十二。过经五寸。在乎摇动出纳。呼吸
同法。驱运气血。顷刻周流。上下通接。可使寒者暖而热者凉。痛者止而胀者消。若开渠之
决水。立时见功。何倾危之不起哉。虽然。病有三因。皆从气血。针分八法。不离阴阳。盖
经脉昼夜之循环。呼吸往来之不息。和则身体康健。否则疾病竞生。譬天下国家地方。山海
田园。江河溪谷。值岁时风雨均调。则水道疏利。民安物阜。其或一方一所。风雨不均。遭
以旱潦。使水道涌竭不通。灾伤遂至。人之气血。受病三因。亦犹方所之于旱潦。盖针砭所
以通经脉。均血气。蠲邪扶正。故曰捷法最奇者哉。
苍龙摆尾法使气机流畅，气血振奋并周流全身。无论是疼痛还是各种疾病，只要施针片刻，万病皆可消除。
如同在下水船中转动舵柄一样游动，又好似赤凤上摇头部摆动。迎随补泻顺逆之法必须明辨清楚，不要劳心费力去向外寻求其他方法。
子午捣臼法精通者稀少，九次深入七次浅出不要随意更改。万病自然符合天道规律，所以让患者微笑康复。
观察针刺之道，快捷的方法最为奇特。必须明白补泻手法，才能挽救危重病情。先分辨疾病的上下部位，再确定穴位的高低深浅。头部穴位在下而时间属晚，身体下部穴位在上而时间属早，使用时必须知晓时机。午前为早属阳，午后为晚属阴。男女身体的上下分界以腰部为准。手足三阳经，手经走向头，头经走向足；手足三阴经，足经走向腹，胸经走向手。阴气上升，阳气下降，这是出入的关键。逆着经脉方向刺为泻、为迎；顺着经脉方向刺为补、为随。春夏季节针刺宜浅（针对瘦人），秋冬季节针刺宜深（针对肥人）。更要观察原气的浓薄，针刺的深浅尤其适宜。
至于补泻的方法，妙处在于呼吸和手指的运用。男子：大拇指向前左转，呼气时为补；向后退后右转，吸气时为泻。提针产生热感，插针产生寒感。女子：大拇指向后退后右转，吸气时为补；向前进前左转，呼气时为泻。插针产生热感，提针产生寒感。左右手操作有差异，胸部与背部也不同。午前操作如上述，午后则相反。因此，用指甲切按是下针前的准备方法；摇动并退出是出针的方法；动而前进是催针的方法；循按摄持是行气的方法；搓针可以去除疾病；弹针可以补虚。腹部盘旋操作，扪按以闭合穴孔。重按豆许大小称为“按”，轻浮豆许大小称为“提”。这十四种手法，是针灸要领所具备的。补法是一退三飞，真气自然回归；泻法是一飞三退，邪气自然避开。补法是补充不足，泻法是泻除有余。有余表现为肿和痛，称为实；不足表现为痒和麻，称为虚。气至则效速，气迟则效迟。生死贵贱，针下都能感知。体质弱者针感硬，体质强者针感脆；生机旺盛者针感涩，濒死者针感虚。如果候气不到，必死无疑。
况且下针的方法，先用指甲重切按压，接着令患者咳嗽一声，随着咳嗽声下针。凡是用补法，先在呼气时进针。初针至皮肤内，称为“天才”；稍停后进针至肌肉内，称为“人才”；再停后进针至筋骨之间，称为“地才”。这是极深的地方，应当在此处进行补法。再停留良久，然后将针退至“人”的分层，等待气感沉紧，倒转针尖朝向病所，进退往来，飞经走气的手法全在其中了。凡是用泻法，在吸气时进针。初针至天部，稍停后进针直达地部，得气后进行泻法。再停留良久，然后将针退至人部，得气且感觉沉紧，倒转针尖朝向病所，方法同前。如果出现晕针现象，是因为神气虚弱。应用补法，用袖子遮盖患者，待口鼻气息恢复，给予热汤，稍停片刻，根据前述方法再次施针。
至于调气的方法，下针至地部之后，退至人部分层。欲使气上行，将针向右捻；欲使气下行，将针向左捻。欲补先呼后吸，欲泻先吸后呼。气不至者，用手循按摄持，用指甲切掐，用针摇动，进捻搓弹，直待气至。运用龙虎升腾之法，按在前使气在后，按在后使气在前，引导气运行到疼痛之处。运用纳气之法，扶针直插，复向下纳入，使气不回流。若关节阻涩，气不过去，运用龙虎龟凤四法，通经接气，是大段的重要手法，驱运气血，仍以循按、爪切配合，没有不应验的。这是通仙的妙法。
至于出针的方法，病势既退，针气微松；病未退者，针气始根，推之不动，转之不移，这是因为邪气吸拔其针，乃真气未到，不可出针。出针的话，病即复发，须再行补泻，停以待之，直待微松，方可出针少许，摇动并停顿。补法在吸气时快速出针，迅速扪闭穴孔；泻法在呼气时缓慢出针，穴孔不闭。欲使腠理致密，然后吸气。所以说下针贵在慢，大急伤血；出针贵在缓，大急伤气。以上总括要点，都在这里了。
至于治病，其法有八。一曰烧山火，治疗顽麻冷痹，先浅后深，用九阳数而三进三退，慢提紧按，热至，紧闭穴孔，插针，除寒有准据。二曰透天凉，治疗肌热骨蒸，先深后浅，用六阴数而三出三入，紧提慢按，寒至，徐徐举针，退热可凭靠。都要细细搓针，作为退热的准绳。三曰阳中引阴，先寒后热，自浅而深，以九六之法，先补后泻。四曰阴中引阳，先热后寒，自深而浅，以九六之法，则先泻后补。补者务必等到热至，泻者务待寒侵。犹如搓线，慢慢转针。法在浅则用浅，法在深则用深，二者不可兼混紊乱。五曰子午捣臼，治疗水蛊膈气，落穴之后，调气均匀，针行上下，九入六出，左右转之，十遭自平。六曰进气之诀，治疗腰背肘膝痛，浑身走注疼，刺九分，行九补，卧针五七吸，待气上下，亦可龙虎交战，左捻九而右捻六，这也是住痛的针法。七曰留气之诀，治疗癖瘕，刺七分，用纯阳，然后直插针，气来深刺，提针再停。八曰抽添之诀，治疗瘫痪疮癞，取其要穴，使九阳得气，提按搜索，大要运气周遍，扶针直插，复向下纳入，回阳倒阴，指下玄微，胸中活法，一有未应，反复再施。
若夫过关过节催运气，以飞经走气，其法有四。一曰青龙摆尾，如扶船舵，不进不退，一左一右，慢慢拨动。二曰白虎摇头，似手摇铃，退方进圆，兼之左右，摇而振之。三曰苍龟探穴，如入土之象，一退三进，钻剔四方。四曰赤凤迎源，展翅之仪，入针至地，提针至天，候针自摇，复进其原，上下左右，四围飞旋。病在上吸而退之，病在下呼而进之。
至于久患偏枯，通经接气之法，已有定息寸数。手足三阳经，上九而下十四，过经四寸；手足三阴经，上七而下十二，过经五寸。在乎摇动出纳，呼吸同法，驱运气血，顷刻周流，上下通接，可使寒者暖而热者凉，痛者止而胀者消。若开渠决水，立时见功，何倾危之不起哉？
虽然，病有三因，皆从气血；针分八法，不离阴阳。盖经脉昼夜之循环，呼吸往来之不息，和则身体康健，否则疾病竞生。譬天下国家地方，山海田园，江河溪谷，值岁时风雨均调，则水道疏利，民安物阜。其或一方一所，风雨不均，遭以旱潦，使水道涌竭不通，灾伤遂至。人之气血，受病三因，亦犹方所之于旱潦。盖针砭所以通经脉，均血气，蠲邪扶正，故曰捷法最奇者哉。
The technique of "Green Dragon Swinging Tail" ensures the smooth flow of Qi, causing Blood and Qi to surge and circulate throughout the body. Whether it is pain or various diseases, after inserting the needle for a moment, myriad ailments can be resolved.
It moves like steering a boat in downstream currents, and resembles the "Red Phoenix Shaking Head." One must clearly distinguish between Ying-Sui (following and opposing) techniques for tonification and sedation; do not laboriously seek external methods.
The technique of "Ziwu Daobai" (Midnight-Noon Water-Mortar) is rarely mastered by experts. Nine insertions and seven withdrawals should not be altered arbitrarily. Myriad ailments naturally conform to the laws of Heaven, so the patient may smile as they recover.
Observing the Way of Needling, the most remarkable methods are those that are swift. One must understand tonification and sedation to rescue critical conditions. First, distinguish the upper and lower aspects of the disease; then determine the height and depth of the acupoints. For head points, the timing is late and position low; for lower body points, the timing is early and position high. Usage requires knowledge of timing: morning is early and Yang, afternoon is late and Yin. The division of upper and lower for men and women is based on the waist. The Six Yang Meridians of Hand and Foot: Hand meridians go to the Head, Head meridians go to the Foot. The Six Yin Meridians of Hand and Foot: Foot meridians go to the Abdomen, Chest meridians go to the Hand. Yin ascends, Yang descends; this is the mechanism of entry and exit. Opposing the meridian direction constitutes Sedation (Xie) and Ying (meeting); following the meridian direction constitutes Tonification (Bu) and Sui (following). In Spring and Summer, needling should be shallow (for thin individuals); in Autumn and Winter, needling should be deep (for fat individuals). Furthermore, observe the thickness of Yuan Qi (Original Qi); the depth of needling should be appropriate.
Regarding tonification and sedation methods, the subtlety lies in respiration and finger manipulation. For men: advancing the thumb forward and turning left during exhalation is Tonification; withdrawing the thumb backward and turning right during inhalation is Sedation. Lifting the needle generates Heat; inserting the needle generates Cold. For women: withdrawing the thumb backward and turning right during inhalation is Tonification; advancing the thumb forward and turning left during exhalation is Sedation. Inserting the needle generates Heat; lifting the needle generates Cold. There are differences between left and right hands, and between the Chest and Back. The above applies to before noon; after noon, it is reversed. Therefore, pressing with fingernails is the method for preparing to insert the needle; shaking and withdrawing is the method for removing the needle; moving and advancing is the method for urging Qi; circulating and grasping is the method for conducting Qi; rubbing the needle removes disease; flicking the needle tonifies deficiency. Rotating around the abdomen and palpating closes the acupoint. Heavy pressing equivalent to a bean's weight is called "An" (Pressing); light floating equivalent to a bean's weight is called "Ti" (Lifting). These fourteen methods constitute the essentials of needling. Tonification involves one withdrawal and three flights, causing True Qi to return naturally; Sedation involves one flight and three withdrawals, causing Evil Qi to avoid naturally. Tonification supplements insufficiency; Sedation drains excess. Excess manifests as swelling and pain, termed "Shi" (Excess); insufficiency manifests as itching and numbness, termed "Xu" (Deficiency). When Qi arrives, effect is rapid; when Qi is slow, effect is slow. Life, death, nobility, and baseness are known under the needle. Baseline constitutions feel hard; noble constitutions feel crisp. Those alive feel rough/astringent; those dying feel empty. If Qi does not arrive, death is certain.
Moreover, the method of inserting the needle first requires heavy pressing with nails, followed by having the patient cough once, inserting the needle upon the cough. For all Tonification, begin during exhalation. Initially insert to the skin layer, called "Tian Cai" (Heaven Talent); pause slightly and advance to the muscle layer, called "Ren Cai" (Human Talent); pause again and advance to the bone-tendon junction, called "Di Cai" (Earth Talent). This is the extreme depth, where Tonification should be performed. Pause for a long time, then withdraw the needle to the Ren (Human) level. Wait for the Qi sensation to become heavy and tight, invert the needle tip towards the disease, and move back and forth; the techniques of Feijing Zouqi (Flying through meridians and moving Qi) are contained herein. For all Sedation, begin during inhalation. Initially insert to Tian, pause slightly and advance directly to Di. Upon obtaining Qi, perform Sedation. Pause for a long time, then withdraw the needle to Ren. Upon obtaining Qi and feeling heavy/tight, invert the needle tip towards the disease, using the same method as before. If syncope occurs due to its cause is deficiency of Shen Qi. Apply Tonification, cover the patient with a sleeve, wait for breath to return at mouth and nose, provide hot soup, pause briefly, and apply treatment again according to previous methods.
Regarding Qi regulation: after inserting the needle to Di, withdraw to Ren. To make Qi ascend, twist the needle to the right; to make Qi descend, twist the needle to the left. For Tonification, exhale first then inhale; for Sedation, inhale first then exhale. If Qi does not arrive, use hand circulation/grasping, nail pressing, needle shaking, advancing/turning/rubbing/flicking until Qi arrives. Use the Longhu Shengteng (Dragon-Tiger Ascending-Soaring) method: press front to make Qi go back, press back to make Qi go front, guiding Qi to the painful area. Use Naqi (Receiving Qi) method: hold needle straight and insert, then push down to receive, preventing Qi from retreating. If joint obstruction prevents Qi passage, use Longhu Guifeng (Dragon-Turtle-Green-Pheasant) techniques to connect meridians and Qi. These are major methods for driving and transporting Qi. Combined with circulation, grasping, and nail pressing, there is no failure. This is the wonder of Tongxian.
Regarding needle removal: if the disease trend has receded and needle Qi is loose, remove. If the disease remains, the needle Qi is rooted, immovable and unrotatable, because Evil Qi is sucking the needle; True Qi has not arrived, so do not remove. Removing it will cause disease recurrence; reapply Tonification/Sedation, wait until loose, then withdraw slightly, shake and pause. For Tonification, remove quickly during inhalation and immediately close the acupoint. For Sedation, remove slowly during exhalation and leave the acupoint open. To make pores dense, inhale afterwards. Thus, inserting the needle should be slow; haste injures Blood. Removing the needle should be gentle; haste injures Qi. The above summarizes the essentials.
There are eight methods for treating diseases. 1. Shaoshan Huo (Fire Mountain): treats stubborn numbness and cold bi. Start shallow, go deep. Use Nine Yang numbers with three advances and three retreats. Slow lift, firm press. When heat arrives, close tightly, insert needle. Reliable for dispelling cold. 2. Toutian Liang (Cool Sky): treats muscular heat and bone-steaming fever. Start deep, go shallow. Use Six Yin numbers with three withdrawals and three insertions. Firm lift, slow press. When cold arrives, slowly lift needle. Reliable for reducing heat. All require fine rubbing, serving as the standard for reducing heat. 3. Yang Zhong Yin Yin (Yin within Yang): starts with cold then heat, shallow to deep. Using Nine-Six method, Tonify first then Sedate. 4. Yin Zhong Yin Yang (Yang within Yin): starts with heat then cold, deep to shallow. Using Nine-Six method, Sedate first then Tonify. For Tonification, wait for heat; for Sedation, wait for cold. Like twisting thread, turn needle slowly. Method depends on shallow or deep; do not confuse them. 5. Ziwu Daobai: treats water distension and diaphragmatic qi. After entering point, regulate Qi evenly. Needle moves up and down, nine insertions six withdrawals, rotating left and right, ten times for self-leveling. 6. Jinqi Jue (Secret of Advancing Qi): treats pain in waist, back, elbows, knees, and wandering pain. Pierce 9 fen, perform nine Tonifications. Lay needle horizontally, count five to seven inhalations, wait for Qi up and down. Can also use Longhu Jiaozhan (Dragon-Tiger Battle), twist left nine times and right six times. This is also a pain-stopping needle. 7. Liuqi Jue (Secret of Retaining Qi): treats pi-jia (accumulations/masses). Pierce 7 fen, use pure Yang. Then insert straight. When Qi arrives, pierce deep, lift needle and pause. 8. Choutian Jue (Secret of Drawing and Adding): treats paralysis, sores, and scabies. Select key points, make Nine Yang obtain Qi, lift and press/search. Majorly circulate Qi thoroughly, hold needle straight and insert, then push down to receive, restore Yang and reverse Yin. Subtle under fingers, flexible in mind. If no response, repeat.
For crossing passes and joints to urge Qi, use Feijing Zouqi techniques, four methods: 1. Qinglong Baiwei (Green Dragon Swinging Tail): like holding a ship's rudder, neither advancing nor retreating, left and right, slowly拨动 (拨动 means to stir/move). 2. Baihu Yaotou (White Tiger Shaking Head): like shaking a bell, retreat square advance circle, combined with left and right, shake and vibrate. 3. Canggui Tanxue (Green Turtle Exploring Cave): like entering soil, one retreat three advances, drill and pick in four directions. 4. Chifeng Yingyuan (Red Phoenix Welcoming Source): spreading wings ritual. Insert to Di, lift to Tian, wait for needle to shake naturally, return to origin, fly around up/down/left/right. Disease in upper part: retreat during inhalation; disease in lower part: advance during exhalation.
For chronic hemiplegia, the method of connecting meridians and Qi has fixed cun measurements per breath. Hand-Foot Six Yang: upper 9, lower 14, passing meridian 4 cun. Hand-Foot Six Yin: upper 7, lower 12, passing meridian 5 cun. Rely on shaking and insertion/extraction, same breathing method, drive and circulate Blood and Qi, flowing completely in an instant, connecting up and down, making cold warm and heat cool, stopping pain and eliminating distension. Like opening a canal to drain water, effect is immediate. How could critical conditions not rise?
Although, diseases have three causes, all stemming from Blood and Qi; needles divide into eight methods, never leaving Yin and Yang. Meridians circulate day and night, respiration comes and goes without ceasing. Harmony leads to health; otherwise, diseases arise. Compare to countries and regions, mountains, seas, fields, rivers, valleys. When seasons and wind/rain are balanced, waterways are clear, people are safe, and goods abundant. If one region suffers uneven wind/rain, drought or flood, causing waterways to dry up or block, disaster follows. Human Blood and Qi, affected by three causes, is like regions affected by drought/flood. Acupuncture and moxibustion therefore unblock meridians, balance Blood and Qi, eliminate evil and support righteousness. Thus, it is said the swift method is most wondrous.