(针经指南)
拯救之法。妙用者针。察岁时于天道。定形气于予心。春夏瘦而刺浅。秋冬肥而刺深(
春气
在毛。夏气在皮。秋气在分肉。冬气在骨髓。故春夏及瘦人皆刺浅秋冬及肥人皆刺深若有针
入而气逆者。失其浅深之宜也)不穷经络阴阳。多逢刺禁。既论脏腑虚实。须向经寻。原夫
起自中焦。水初下漏。太阴为始。至厥阴而方终。穴出云门。抵期门而最后(人之气脉周流
。每日寅时从中焦肺经起。交至肝经期门穴而终)正经十二别络走三百余支(各经有横络孙络
散走三百余支脉)正侧仰伏。气血有六百余候。手足三阳手走头而头走足。手足三阴。足走
腹而胸走手。要识迎随。须明逆顺。况夫阴阳。气血多少为最。厥阴太阳少气多血。太阴少
阴少血多气。而又气多血少者少阳之分。气盛血多者。阳明之位。先详多少之宜。次察应至
之气。轻滑慢而未来。沉涩紧而已至(言入针之后。值轻浮滑虚慢迟。乃真气未来。沉重涩
滞紧实是正气以来)既至也。量寒热而留疾。(留住也疾速也)未至也。据虚实而候气。气之
至也。如鱼吞钩饵之沉浮。气未至也。如闲处幽堂之深邃。气速至而速效。气迟至而不治。
观夫九针之法。毫针最微七星上应。众穴支持。本形金也。有蠲邪扶正之道。(其体象金)短
长水也有决凝开滞之机。(其流通象水)定刺象木。或斜或正。(其劲直象木)口藏比火。进阳
补羸。(其气温象火)循机扪塞以象土。(其填补象土)实应五行而可知。然是三寸六分。包含
妙理。虽细拟于毫发。同贯多岐。可平五脏之寒温。能调六腑之虚实。拘挛闭塞。追八邪而
去矣。(手足拘挛。气血不通之症先追散。八风之邪)寒热痹痛。开四关而已之。(寒痹热痹
痛风之类。针两肘两膝之穴)凡刺者。使本神朝而后入。既刺也。使本神定而气随。神不朝
而勿
刺神已定而可施。定脚处。取气血为主意。下手处。认水木是根基。(言用针必先认五行子
母相生)天地人。三才也。涌泉同璇玑百会。(百会应天。璇玑应人。涌泉应地)上中下。三
部也。大包与天枢地机。(上部大包中部天枢下部地机)阳跷阳维并督带。(此四脉属阳)主肩
背腰腿在表之病。阴跷阴维任冲脉(此四脉属阴)去心腹胁肋在里之疑。(疑疾也)二陵(阴阳
陵泉)二跷(照海申脉)二交(足太阴经三阴交足少阳经阳交)似续而交五大(续接续。五大。五
体也)两间(二间三间)两商(少商商阳)两井。(天井肩井)相根据而别两支大抵取穴之法。必有
分寸。先审自意。次观肉分。或伸屈而得之。或平直而安定。在阳部。筋骨之侧。陷下为真
。在阴分 之间动脉相应。取五穴用一穴而必端。取三经用一经而可正。头部与肩部详分
。督脉与任脉易定。明标与本论刺深刺浅之经住痛移疼。取相交相贯之径。(如手太阴列缺
交于阳明之络。足阳明丰隆别走太阴之类)岂不闻脏腑病而求(章)门(气)海 募之微。经络
滞。而求原别交会之道。(各经之原。及阳别阴交。八会诸穴)更穷四根三结。根据标本而刺无
不痊(四根。诸经根于四肢。即井穴也。三结即太阴结于大包。少阴结于廉泉。厥阴结于玉
堂也)但用八法五门。分主客而针无不效(详见前)八脉始终连八会。本是纪纲。十二经络十
二原。是为枢要。(详见后)一日取六十六穴之法。方见幽微。(阳干注府三十六穴阴干注藏
三十穴)一时取十二经脉之原。始知要妙。(十二经之原歌。云。甲出丘墟乙太冲。丙居宛。
骨阳池同丁出神门太陵过戊当胃脉波阳通。己出太白庚合谷。辛原本注太渊空壬归京骨是原
穴。癸出太 跟骨中。)原夫补泻之法。非呼吸而在手指。(义见宝命全角。离合真邪等论)
速效之功。要支正而识本经。(如心病取小肠经穴之类)交经缪刺。左有病而右畔取。写络远
针。头有病而脚上针。巨刺与缪刺各异。微针与妙针难传。观部分而知经络之虚实。视沉浮
而辨脏腑之寒温且夫先令针耀而虑针损。次藏口内而欲针温。目无外视。手如握虎。心无内
慕。如待贵人。左手重而多按。欲令气散。右手轻而徐入。不痛之因空心恐怯。直力侧而多
晕。背目沉掐。坐卧平而弗昏推于十干十变。知孔穴之开阖。(详见前)论其五行五脏。察日
时之旺衰。(得五行。生者旺。受五行克者衰。如心之病得甲乙之日时者生旺。遇壬癸之日
时者克衰。余仿此)伏如横弩。应若发机。(言血气未应。针则伏如横弩。血气既应针则退如
发机)阴交阳别而定血晕。(任脉阴交脾经三阴交。膀胱经飞扬。皆主血病)阴跷阳维而下胎
衣。(肾经照海。三焦经外关)痹厥偏枯。迎随俾经络接续。漏崩带下。温补使气血根据归。静
以久留。停针待之必准者取照海治喉中之闭塞端的处。用大钟治心内之呆痴。大抵疼痛实泻
。痒麻虚补。体重节痛而俞居。心下痞满而井主。心胀咽痛。刺太冲而必除。脾冷胃疼。泻
公孙而立愈。胸满刺内关。胁痛针飞虎。(三焦经支沟穴)筋挛骨痛补魂门。体热劳嗽泻魄户
。头风头痛。刺申脉与金门。(足太阳经)眼痒眼疼。泻光明到地五。(足少阳经)泻阴 止
盗
后。(辰巳二时)太阴生而疾温。离左酉南。(未申二时)月朔死而速冷。(月死生数。望前谓
之生。望后谓之死。以一月而比一日。午前谓之生。无泻午后谓之死无补)循扪弹努。留吸
母而坚长。(循扪皆摩也。弹弩者。着力之意留吸坚长。须待热至也母者虚则补其母也)爪下
伸提疾呼子而嘘短(爪下者掐穴令气血散。然后下针也。伸。即提也施针轻浮之谓疾呼嘘短
。去之速也。子者实则泻其子也)动退空歇迎夺右而泻凉(用针摇动而退伸提空歇以候气行
。此谓泻法)推内进搓。随济左而补暖(推。推转。进针犹搓线之状。慢慢转针。此谓补法)
慎之大患危疾。色脉不顺而莫针寒热风冷。饥饱醉劳而切忌。望不补而晦不泻。弦不夺而朔
不济。(如非急症。不可犯此日忌)精其心而穷其法。无灸艾而坏其皮。正其理而求其源。免
投针而失其位。避灸处。和四肢四十有七禁刺处除六 二十有二。(禁针歌有二十五穴)昔高
皇抱疾未瘥。李氏刺巨阙而后苏。太子暴死为厥。越人针维会而复醒。(秦越人过虢。虢太
子死未半日。越人诊其脉曰。太子之病为尸厥。脉乱。故形如死也。乃使弟子子阳砺针砥石
。以取外三阳五会即任脉中极穴。一名玉泉也。盖手之三阳脉维于玉泉。又足三阴任脉之会
。故曰维会)肩井曲池。甄权刺臂痛而即射。悬钟环跳。华佗刺 足而立行。秋夫针腰目而
鬼免沉 。王纂针交俞而妖精立出(续齐谐记。徐秋夫疗腰痛鬼。缚茅作人。为针腰目二处
○交俞未详)取肝俞与命门。使瞽者见秋毫之末。刺少阳之交别。俾聋夫听夏蚋之声(交谓手
足少阳二脉之交会。翳风角孙禾 穴也。别谓手少阳之别外关也)嗟夫。去圣逾远。此道渐
坠。或不得意而散其学。或幸其能而犯禁忌。愚庸智浅。难契于元微。至道渊深。得之者有
几。
(窦汉卿标幽赋旧有杨继洲注。其未详处。窃以已见附之)
《针经指南》
救治疾病的方法，妙处在于针刺。观察天道以顺应岁时变化，在心中审度患者的形体与气质。春夏季节人体消瘦，针刺宜浅；秋冬季节人体肥胖，针刺宜深。（因为春气在毫毛，夏气在皮肤，秋气在分肉之间，冬气在骨髓深处。所以春夏及瘦人皆宜浅刺，秋冬及肥人皆宜深刺。如果针刺后出现气机逆乱，就是失去了深浅适宜的准则。）如果不穷究经络阴阳的变化，就会多触犯针刺禁忌。既然论述了脏腑的虚实状况，就必须向经脉中寻求答案。
原本人体之气脉起始于中焦，如同水初从漏壶滴下，始于太阴肺经，终于厥阴肝经。穴位出自云门穴，到达期门穴而终结。（人的气脉周流全身，每天寅时从中焦肺经开始，交接至肝经期门穴结束。）十二正经和别络走向三百多条分支脉络。（各经有横络、孙络散行分布的三百余支脉。）正侧仰伏等不同体位下，气血有六百多个腧穴候应。手足三阳经，手经从头走足，足经从头走足（注：原文此处表述有误，通常手三阳从手走头，足三阳从头走足，但依原文翻译）；手足三阴经，足经从腹走胸，手经从胸走手。要认识迎随补泻的原则，必须明白逆顺的道理。况且阴阳气血的多少最为关键。厥阴经和太阳经少气多血，太阴经和少阴经少血多气，而气多血少的是少阳经的分野，气盛血多的是阳明经的位置。先详细辨别气血多少的适宜情况，其次观察应至的气机。轻、滑、慢而尚未到来的，是正气未至；沉、涩、紧而已经到来的，是正气已至。（这是说进针之后，若感觉轻浮滑虚慢迟，乃是真气未来；沉重涩滞紧实，是正气已来。）气既已至，就要根据寒热情况决定留针时间的长短。（“留”指停留，“疾”指快速。）气未至时，要根据虚实情况候气。气至的感觉，就像鱼吞钩饵一样有沉浮感；气未至时，就像处在幽深空旷的大堂里一样寂静无声。气速至则疗效速显，气迟至则难以治愈。
观察九针之法，毫针最为细微，对应七星，支撑众穴。其本体属金，有祛除邪气、扶助正气的功效。（其体质象金。）长短属水，有决断凝滞、开通阻滞的机能。（其流通性象水。）定刺法属木，或斜或正。（其劲直性象木。）口藏比火，能进阳补虚。（其温性象火。）循经扪按闭塞象土。（其填补性象土。）这确实符合五行之理从而可知。然而毫针虽只有三寸六分长，却包含奥妙道理，虽然细小如毫发，却能贯通多种歧路。可以平复五脏的寒温失调，能够调理六腑的虚实病变。对于拘挛闭塞之症，追散八风之邪即可去除。（手足拘挛、气血不通的症状，先追散八风之邪。）对于寒热痹痛，针刺四关穴即可治愈。（寒痹、热痹、痛风之类，针刺两肘两膝的四关穴。）
大凡施针，要使患者精神集中后再进针。既已针刺，要使患者精神安定而气随针行。精神不集中就不要针刺，精神安定后方可施术。定针之处，以调摄气血为主意；下手之处，以认清五行子母相生为根基。（言用针必须先认五行子母相生关系。）天、地、人称为三才。涌泉穴同璇玑穴、百会穴相应。（百会应天，璇玑应人，涌泉应地。）上、中、下称为三部。大包穴、天枢穴、地机穴分别对应。（上部大包，中部天枢，下部地机。）阳跷脉、阳维脉并督脉、带脉。（此四脉属阳。）主治肩背腰腿在表之病。阴跷脉、阴维脉并任脉、冲脉。（此四脉属阴。）去之心腹胁肋在里之疑疾。（疑疾指疑难杂症。）二陵（阴阳陵泉）、二跷（照海、申脉）、二交（足太阴经三阴交、足少阳经阳交），似乎接续而交会于五大部位（续即接续，五大指五体）。两间（二间、三间）、两商（少商、商阳）、两井（天井、肩井），相互依据而分为两支。
大抵取穴的方法，必须有分寸标准。先审视自己的心意，其次观察肌肉纹理。有的通过伸屈肢体而取得，有的通过平直身体而安定。在阳部，筋骨之侧，凹陷处为真穴所在。在阴分之间，动脉相应之处可取。取五穴时用一穴而必端正，取三经时用一经而可纠正。头部与肩部需详细区分，督脉与任脉容易确定。明了标与本的理论，才能论及刺深刺浅的经脉。想要止痛移疼，需选取相交相贯的径路。（如手太阴列缺穴交于阳明之络，足阳明丰隆穴别走太阴之类。）岂不闻脏腑有病而求章门穴、气海穴、募穴的精微之处？经络滞涩，而求原穴、别络、交会之道。（各经的原穴，以及阳经别络阴经交会、八会诸穴。）更要穷究四根三结，根据标本理论针刺无不痊愈。（四根指诸经根于四肢，即井穴也。三结即太阴结于大包，少阴结于廉泉，厥阴结于玉堂也。）只要运用八法五门，分清主客进行针刺，无不奏效（详见前文）。八脉始终连系八会穴，本是纲领；十二经络十二原穴，是为枢要。（详见后文。）一日取六十六穴之法，方见幽微。（阳干注府三十六穴，阴干注脏三十穴。）一时取十二经脉之原，始知要妙。（十二经之原歌云：甲出丘墟乙太冲，丙居宛骨阳池同，丁出神门太陵过，戊当胃脉通阳通，己出太白庚合谷，辛原本注太渊空，壬归京骨是原穴，癸出太溪跟骨中。）
原本补泻之法，不在于呼吸而在于手指的运用。（义理见《宝命全形论》、《离合真邪论》等篇。）速效之功，要支正而识本经。（如心病取小肠经穴之类。）交经缪刺，左边有病而在右边取穴；泻络远针，头部有病而在脚上针刺。巨刺与缪刺各不相同，微针与妙针难以言传。观察部位而知经络之虚实，视沉浮而辨脏腑之寒温。
况且首先要使针具光亮并顾虑针具损坏，其次将针含于口中欲使其温暖。眼睛不要向外看，手如握虎般稳健，内心不要有杂念，如同等待贵人一般恭敬。左手重按多揉，欲令气散；右手轻缓进针，是不痛的缘由。空腹恐怯者，直力侧入易晕；背目沉掐，坐卧平稳而不昏沉。推究十天干十变，知晓孔穴的开阖。（详见前文。）论及其五行五脏，察考日时的旺衰。（得五行生者旺，受五行克者衰。如心病得甲乙之日时者生旺，遇壬癸之日时者克衰，其余仿此。）伏如横弩，应若发机。（言血气未应，针则伏如横弩；血气既应，针则退如发机。）阴交、阳别而定血晕。（任脉阴交、脾经三阴交、膀胱经飞扬，皆主血病。）阴跷、阳维而下胎衣。（肾经照海、三焦经外关。）痹厥偏枯，迎随使经络接续；漏崩带下，温补使气血回归。静以久留，停针待之必准者，取照海治喉中之闭塞；端的处，用大钟治心内之呆痴。
大抵疼痛属实则泻，痒麻属虚则补。体重节痛由俞穴主治，心下痞满由井穴主治。心胀咽痛，刺太冲而必除；脾冷胃疼，泻公孙而立愈。胸满刺内关，胁痛针飞虎（三焦经支沟穴）。筋挛骨痛补魂门，体热劳嗽泻魄户。头风头痛，刺申脉与金门（足太阳经）。眼痒眼疼，泻光明到地五（足少阳经）。泻阴郄止盗汗（辰巳二时）。太阴生而疾温，离左酉南（未申二时）。月朔死而速冷。（月死生数，望前谓之生，望后谓之死，以一月而比一日，午前谓之生无泻，午后谓之死无补。）循扪弹努，留吸母而坚长。（循扪皆摩也，弹弩者着力之意，留吸坚长须待热至也，母者虚则补其母也。）爪下伸提疾呼子而嘘短（爪下者掐穴令气血散，然后下针也，伸即提也，施针轻浮之谓，疾呼嘘短去之速也，子者实则泻其子也）。动退空歇迎夺右而泻凉（用针摇动而退伸提空歇以候气行，此谓泻法）。推内进搓，随济左而补暖（推转进针犹搓线之状，慢慢转针，此谓补法）。
慎之大患危疾，色脉不顺而莫针；寒热风冷，饥饱醉劳而切忌。望不补而晦不泻，弦不夺而朔不济。（如非急症，不可犯此日忌。）精其心而穷其法，无灸艾而坏其皮；正其理而求其源，免投针而失其位。避灸处，和四肢四十有七禁刺处，除六经二十有二。（禁针歌有二十五穴。）
昔高皇抱疾未瘥，李氏刺巨阙而后苏。太子暴死为厥，越人针维会而复醒。（秦越人过虢，虢太子死未半日，越人诊其脉曰：太子之病为尸厥。脉乱，故形如死也。乃使弟子子阳砺针砥石，以取外三阳五会，即任脉中极穴，一名玉泉也。盖手之三阳脉维于玉泉，又足三阴任脉之会，故曰维会。）肩井、曲池，甄权刺臂痛而即射。悬钟、环跳，华佗刺足而立行。秋夫针腰目而鬼免沉冥，王纂针交俞而妖精立出（续齐谐记：徐秋夫疗腰痛鬼，缚茅作人，为针腰目二处○交俞未详）。取肝俞与命门，使瞽者见秋毫之末；刺少阳之交别，俾聋夫听夏蚋之声（交谓手足少阳二脉之交会，翳风、角孙、禾髎穴也；别谓手少阳之别外关也）。
嗟夫！去圣逾远，此道渐坠。或不得意而散其学，或幸其能而犯禁忌。愚庸智浅，难契于元微。至道渊深，得之者有几。（窦汉卿《标幽赋》旧有杨继洲注，其未详处，窃以己见附之。）
*Zhenjing Zhinan* (Guidelines for the Classic of Needling)
The method to save lives lies in the wonderful application of acupuncture. Observe the heavenly dao to align with seasons and years; determine the constitution and qi within one's own heart. In spring and summer, when bodies are lean, needling should be shallow; in autumn and winter, when bodies are plump, needling should be deep. (Spring qi is in the hair follicles, summer qi is in the skin, autumn qi is in the muscle layers, and winter qi is in the bone marrow. Therefore, spring and summer, as well as lean individuals, require shallow needling, while autumn and winter, as well as plump individuals, require deep needling. If qi rebellion occurs after needle insertion, it indicates a loss of appropriate depth.) Without thoroughly investigating the meridians and yin-yang, one often encounters acupuncture contraindications. Having discussed the deficiency and excess of zang-fu organs, one must seek answers within the meridians.
Originally, qi circulation begins at the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), like water dripping from a clepsydra, starting with the Taiyin Lung Meridian and ending with the Jueyin Liver Meridian. Acupoints emerge from Yunmen (LU-1) and reach Qimen (LR-14) as the final point. (Human qi and blood circulate continuously; daily at Yin hour, it starts from the Middle Jiao Lung Meridian and transitions to the Liver Meridian, ending at Qimen.) The twelve regular meridians and eight extraordinary vessels branch into over three hundred collateral networks. (Each meridian has horizontal collaterals and sun collaterals scattering into over three hundred branches.) Depending on upright, supine, prone, or lateral positions, there are over six hundred acupoint sites for qi observation. Hand and Foot Yang meridians: hand meridians go from hand to head, foot meridians go from head to foot. Hand and Foot Yin meridians: foot meridians go from abdomen to chest, hand meridians go from chest to hand. To understand Ying-Sui (following and opposing) techniques, one must clarify reverse and smooth directions. Moreover, the quantity of yin-yang and qi-blood is paramount. Jueyin and Taiyang have little qi and much blood; Taiyin and Shaoyin have little blood and much qi. Shaoyang is characterized by much qi and little blood; Yangming is characterized by abundant qi and abundant blood. First, detail the appropriateness based on quantities; second, observe the arriving qi. Light, slippery, slow, and absent indicates qi has not yet arrived; heavy, choppy, tight, and present indicates qi has arrived. (This refers to post-insertion sensation: light, floating, slippery, deficient, slow, and delayed means true qi has not arrived; heavy, choppy, stagnant, and tight means righteous qi has arrived.) Once arrived, measure coldness or heat to determine retention time ("Liu" means retention, "Ji" means speed). If not yet arrived, await qi based on deficiency or excess. The arrival of qi feels like a fish swallowing bait, rising and sinking; absence of qi feels like an empty, deep hall. Fast arrival brings fast effect; slow arrival brings difficult cure.
Observing the Nine Needles method, the Filiform Needle (Haoren) is the most subtle, corresponding to the Seven Stars, supporting all acupoints. Its form is Metal, possessing the way to dispel evil and support righteousness (its body resembles metal). Its length is Water, possessing the mechanism to resolve stagnation and open blockages (its flow resembles water). Its insertion resembles Wood, oblique or straight (its stiffness resembles wood). Its mouth/oral aspect compares to Fire, advancing yang and tonifying weakness (its warmth resembles fire). Its manipulation and sealing resemble Earth (its filling resembles earth). This truly corresponds to the Five Elements and can be known. However, though only three cun six fen long, it contains profound principles. Though fine as a hair, it connects many paths. It can balance the cold and heat of the five zang organs and regulate the deficiency and excess of the six fu organs. For spasm and obstruction, chasing away the Eight Evils (Ba Xie) removes them. (Spasm of limbs and qi-blood blockage: first chase and scatter the Eight Winds pathogenic factors.) For cold-heat bi pain, opening the Four Gates (Si Guan) cures it. (Cold bi, heat bi, gout: needle the four gates at elbows and knees.)
Generally, when needling, ensure the patient's Shen (Spirit) is gathered before insertion. After insertion, ensure the Shen is settled and qi follows. If Shen is not gathered, do not needle; if Shen is settled, apply treatment. Where to fix the needle, make regulating qi and blood the main intent; where to start, recognize Water and Wood as the foundation. (Meaning: before needling, one must recognize the generating cycle of the Five Elements.) Heaven, Earth, and Man are the Three Talents. Yongquan (KI-1) corresponds to Xuanji and Baihui. (Baihui corresponds to Heaven, Xuanji to Man, Yongquan to Earth.) Upper, Middle, Lower are the Three Regions. Dabao (SP-21), Tianshu (ST-25), and Dijia (SP-8). (Upper: Dabao; Middle: Tianshu; Lower: Dijia.) Yang Qiao, Yang Wei, Du Mai, and Dai Mai. (These four vessels belong to Yang.) They govern shoulder, back, waist, leg diseases on the exterior. Yin Qiao, Yin Wei, Ren Mai, and Chong Mai. (These four vessels belong to Yin.) They address doubts/diseases of the heart, abdomen, flanks, and ribs on the interior. Er Ling (Yin-Lingquan, Yang-Lingquan), Er Qiao (Zhaohai, Shenmai), Er Jiao (Sanyinjiao, Yangjiao) seem to continue and connect to the Five Bodies. Liang Jian (Erjian, Sanjian), Liang Shang (Shaoshang, Shangyang), Liang Jing (Tianjing, Jianjing) rely on each other but branch out.
Generally, the method of selecting acupoints must have precise measurements. First examine your intention, then observe muscle distribution. Some are obtained through extension/flexion, some through flat/straight stability. In Yang regions, beside bones and tendons, depressions are true points. In Yin regions, corresponding arterial pulses indicate points. When taking five points, use one point accurately; when taking three meridians, use one meridian correctly. Head and shoulder require detailed differentiation; Du Mai and Ren Mai are easy to locate. Understanding Biao (Branch) and Ben (Root) allows discussion of deep/shallow needling meridians. To move pain, select intersecting and penetrating pathways. (e.g., Lieque (LU-7) of Hand Taiyin intersects with Yangming collaterals; Fenglong (ST-40) of Foot Yangming diverges to Taiyin.) Have you not heard that for organ diseases, seek the subtlety of Zhangmen (LR-13), Qihai (CV-6), and Mu points? For meridian stagnation, seek Yuan, Bie, and Hui-Jiao pathways. (Yuan points of each meridian, Yang Bie/Yin Jiao intersections, Eight Hui points.) Further investigate Si Gen (Four Roots) and San Jie (Three Knots); according to Biao/Ben, needling ensures recovery. (Si Gen: all meridians root in the four limbs, i.e., Jing-Well points. San Jie: Taiyin knots at Dabao, Shaoyin knots at Lianquan, Jueyin knots at Yutang.) Simply using Ba Fa (Eight Methods) and Wu Men (Five Doors), distinguishing Master/Guest, ensures efficacy (see previous text). The eight extraordinary vessels connect to the Eight Hui points, forming the outline; the twelve meridians and twelve Yuan points form the pivot. (See later text.) The method of selecting sixty-six acupoints in a day reveals profundity. (Yang stems nourish Fu organs: 36 points; Yin stems nourish Zang organs: 30 points.) Selecting the Yuan points of the twelve meridians at specific times reveals essential mysteries. (Song of Twelve Meridian Yuan Points: Jia exits Qiuxu, Yi Taichong... Gui exits Taixi near heel bone.)
Originally, tonification and sedation methods depend not on respiration but on finger technique. (Meaning seen in *Baoming Quanxing Lun*, *Lihe Zhenxie Lun*, etc.) Rapid effects require correct branches and knowledge of the source meridian. (e.g., Heart disease: select Small Intestine meridian points.) Cross-meridian Miao Ci (Needle opposite side): left disease, take right side. Sedate collaterals with distant needling: head disease, needle feet. Ju Ci and Miao Ci differ; Micro-needles and Wondrous-needles are hard to transmit. Observe parts to know meridian deficiency/excess; view floating/sinking to distinguish zang-fu cold/heat.
Furthermore, first ensure needles are bright and check for damage; next, keep them in the mouth to warm them. Eyes should not look outward; hands should hold firmly like a tiger; mind should have no internal distraction, waiting like for a noble person. Left hand presses heavily and rubs often to disperse qi; right hand inserts lightly and slowly to avoid pain. Hollow stomach may cause fear/fainting; direct force insertion causes dizziness. Back-facing eyes, pressing deeply, sit/lie flat to avoid fainting. Deduce Ten Stems and Ten Changes to know acupoint opening/closing. (See previous text.) Discuss Five Elements and Five Zang, observe time prosperity/decline. (Born by Five Elements is prosperous; controlled by Five Elements is weak. e.g., Heart disease on Jia/Yi days is prosperous; on Ren/Gui days is weak. Others follow this.) Hide like a drawn crossbow; respond like releasing the trigger. (When qi/blood has not responded, needle hides like a crossbow; when qi/blood responds, withdraw like releasing the trigger.) Yin Jiao and Yang Bie settle blood vertigo. (Ren Mai Yin Jiao, Spleen Meridian Sanyinjiao, Bladder Meridian Feiyang—all govern blood diseases.) Yin Qiao and Yang Wei deliver placenta. (Kidney Meridian Zhaohai, Sanjiao Meridian Waiguan.) Bi, Jue, hemiplegia: Ying-Sui makes meridians connect. Lou, Beng, Dai Xia: Warm-tonify makes qi-blood return. Stillness and long retention: stopping needle awaits accuracy; select Zhaohai to treat throat obstruction; exact location, use Dazhong to treat mental dullness.
Generally, pain is excess-sedation; itching/numbness is deficiency-tonification. Heavy body/joint pain governed by Shu points; epigastric fullness governed by Jing-Well points. Chest distension/throat pain: needle Taichung to remove. Spleen cold/stomach pain: sedate Gongsun to heal. Chest fullness: needle Neiguan. Flank pain: needle Feihu (Sanjiao Meridian Zhigou). Spasm/bone pain: tonify Hunmen. Body heat/tuberculosis cough: sedate Pohu. Head wind/headache: needle Shenmai and Jinmen (Foot Taiyang). Eye itching/pain: sedate Guangming and Diwu (Foot Shaoyang). Sedate Yinxi to stop night sweats (Chen/Si hours). Taiyin generates and warms quickly; Li (Fire) left/You (Metal) south. (Wei/Shen hours.) Moon new moon dies and cools quickly. (Moon phases: waxing is life, waning is death; month compared to day, morning is life-no sedation, afternoon is death-no tonification.) Follow/rub/pluck/stretch, retain inhalation mother for firm/long. (Follow/rub are massage; pluck/stretch implies effort; retain inhalation/firm/long waits for heat; Mother means tonify mother in deficiency.) Nail press/extend/lift call child for short/expel. (Nail press disperses qi/blood before insertion; extend is lift; light floating needle; call/expel is fast removal; Child means sedate child in excess.) Move/withdraw/empty/rest, welcome/grab right for cool/sedation. (Rock needle withdraw, extend/lift/empty/rest to await qi flow; this is sedation.) Push/insert/rub, follow/nourish left for warm/tonification. (Push is rotation; insert like rubbing thread; slowly rotate needle; this is tonification.)
Caution: Major critical illnesses, unfavorable color/pulse, do not needle. Cold/wind/heat/cold, hunger/fullness, drunkenness/fatigue, strictly avoid. New moon (Wang) no tonification; Last day (Hui) no sedation; Half-moon (Xian) no draining; First day (Shuo) no nourishing. (Unless emergency, do not violate these taboos.) Refine mind and exhaust methods; do not let moxa burn skin; correct principle and seek source; avoid missing needle position. Avoid moxa sites; forty-seven contraindicated points on limbs; exclude twenty-two from six meridians. (Contraindicated Needles Song lists twenty-five points.)
Formerly, Emperor Gaozu was ill and unhealed; Li Shi needled Juque (CV-14) and he revived. Crown prince died suddenly from Jue; Yue Ren (Qin Yueren) needled Weihui (CV-3/Zhongji) and he woke. (Qin Yueren passed Guo; Crown Prince dead half a day. Yueren diagnosed pulse chaos, shape like death—Shi Jue (Corpse Jue). Ordered disciple Zi Yang to sharpen needles/stone tools, selected Waihui/Wuhui, i.e., Ren Mai Zhongji (also named Yuquan). Hand three yang meridians converge at Yuquan; Foot three yin and Ren Mai meet there, hence called Weihui.) Jianjing (GB-21), Quchi (LI-11): Zhen Quan needled arm pain and it shot away. Xuanzhong (GB-39), Huantiao (GB-30): Hua Tuo needled foot and he stood/walked. Qiufu needled Yaomu and ghost avoided sinking; Wang Zuan needled Jiaoshu and demon emerged immediately. (*Xu Qi Xie Ji*: Xu Qiufu treated back pain ghost, bound straw man, needled Yaomu two points ○ Jiaoshu unclear.) Select Liver Shu (BL-18) and Mingmen (GV-4), enable blind to see autumn down; stimulate Shaoyang intersection/divergence, enable deaf to hear summer mosquitoes. (Intersection: Hand/Foot Shaoyang meeting points, Yifeng, Jiaosun, Heliao; Divergence: Hand Shaoyang divergence Waiguan.) Alas! Distance from sages grows, this Dao declines. Some abandon study upon failure; some risk violation due to luck. Foolish and shallow-minded, hard to match profound micro-principles. Supreme Dao is deep; how many attain it? (*Biao You Fu* by Dou Hanqing had old annotations by Yang Jizhou; for unclear parts, I attach my own views.)