(官者，任也，任九针之所宜也)
九针之宜。各有所为长短大小。各有所施也。病在皮肤无常处者取以 针于病所。肤白
勿取。病在分肉间。取
以圆针于病所。病在经络痼痹者。取以锋针。病在脉气少。当补之者。取之 针于井荥分输
。病为大脓者。取以铍针。病痹气暴发者。取以圆利针。病痹气痛而不去者。取以毫针。病
在中者。取以长针病水肿不能通关节者。取以大针。病在五脏固痹者。取以锋针。泻于井荥
分输。取以四时。(前言病在经络痼痹。取以锋针者。止取经络。此则泻其井荥与俞也四时
凡刺有十二节。以应十二经。一曰偶刺。偶刺者。以手直心若背直痛所。一刺前。一刺
以治心痹。刺此者。傍针之也二曰报刺。(重刺也。)报刺者。刺痛无常处也。上下行者。直
内无拔针。以左手随病所按之。乃出针。复刺之也。三曰 刺 刺者。刺傍之举之前后。 筋急
。以治筋痹也。( 廓也。筋急者。必刺其傍数。举其针。或前或后。以 其气则筋痹可
舒也。)四曰齐刺。齐刺者直入一。傍入二(三针齐用也。)以治寒气小深者。或曰三刺。三
刺者治痹气小深者也。五曰扬刺。扬刺者。正内一傍内四。而浮之。以治寒气之博大者也。
(扬散也。中傍共五针。而用在浮泛以祛散寒气。)六曰直针刺。直针刺者。引皮乃刺之。(
直入不深。)以治寒气之浅者也。七曰输刺。输刺者。直入直出。(输泻其邪。用其锐也。)
稀发针而深之。(留之久也。)以治气盛而热者也。八曰短刺。短刺者刺骨痹。稍摇而深之。
(人之渐也。)致针骨所。以上下摩骨也。(摩迫切也。)九曰浮刺。浮刺者。傍入而浮之。以
治肌急而寒者也。十曰阴刺。阴刺者。左右率(统也)刺之。以治寒厥。中寒厥。(刺)足踝后
少阴也。(刺阴邪也。)十一曰傍针刺。傍针刺者。直刺傍刺各一。以治留痹久居者也。(正
刺其经。傍刺其络。)十二曰赞刺。赞刺者。直入直出数发针而浅之出血。是为治痈肿也。(
赞助也。数发针而浅之。以后助前可使之出血。)
脉之所居深不见者。刺之微内针而久留之。以致其空脉气也。脉浅者勿刺按绝其脉乃刺
之无含精出。独出其邪气耳。
凡刺有五。以应五脏。一曰半刺。半刺者。浅内而疾发针。无针伤肉。如拔毛状。以取
皮气
。此肺之应也。二曰豹文刺(言其多也。)豹文刺者。左右前后针之。中脉为故以取经络之血
者。此心之应也。三曰关刺。关刺者。直刺左右。尽筋上以取筋痹。慎无出血。(血以养筋
也。)此肝之应也。或曰渊刺。一曰岂刺。(渊刺。岂刺。皆古名。)四曰合谷刺。合谷刺者
。左右鸡足针于分肉之间。以取肌痹。此脾之应也。(合谷刺者。言三四攒合如鸡足刺之。
邪在肉间。所以应脾。)五曰输刺。输刺者。直入直出。(义见前)深内之至骨。以取骨痹。
此肾之应也。
（“官”字，意为担任、掌管，指九针各自适宜的功能。）
九针的适用范围各不相同，长短大小各异，各有其特定的施用部位。病邪在皮肤且位置不固定的，用鍉针（钝头针）在病变处施治；若皮肤颜色苍白者，不可使用此法。病邪在分肉之间的，用圆针在病变处施治。病邪在经络且为顽固性痹证的，用锋针（三棱针）施治。病邪导致脉气虚弱，需要补益的，用鍉针在井穴、荥穴、输穴处施治。病情严重化脓的，用铍针（剑形针）施治。痹气突然发作的，用圆利针施治。痹气疼痛且久留不去的，用毫针施治。病邪在体内的，用长针施治。病邪导致水肿且关节不通畅的，用大针施治。病邪在五脏且为顽固性痹证的，用锋针施治，并在井穴、荥穴、输穴处进行泻法操作，取穴需结合四季变化。（前文提到病在经络顽固痹证用锋针，仅取经络穴位；此处则是泻井穴、荥穴和俞穴，并参考四时变化。）
大凡针刺有十二种技法，以对应十二经脉。第一种叫偶刺。偶刺，是用手按住心部或背部疼痛的部位，一针刺前面，一针刺后面，来治疗心痹。刺这种病症时，是旁侧进针的方法。第二种叫报刺。报刺，即重复针刺。报刺用于刺痛位置不固定的情况，疼痛上下移动的，直刺入针不拔出，用左手随着疼痛移动的位置按压，然后拔出针，再次针刺。第三种叫浮刺。浮刺，是在旁边斜刺，并提举针具前后移动，用于治疗筋急拘挛。所谓“浮”，即浅表之意。筋急拘挛者，必须在旁边多次针刺，提举针具，或前或后地疏泄经气，这样筋痹就可以舒缓了。第四种叫齐刺。齐刺，是中间直刺一针，两旁各斜刺一针（共三针同时使用），用来治疗寒气深小者。也有人称为三刺。三刺，也是治疗寒气深小者的方法。第五种叫扬刺。扬刺，是中间直刺一针，周围斜刺四针，且都浅刺，用来治疗寒气范围广大者。所谓“扬”，即散开之意。中间加周围共五针，用在浅表以驱散寒气。第六种叫直针刺。直针刺，是牵引皮肤然后进针（直入但不深），用来治疗寒气浅表者。第七种叫输刺。输刺，是直入直出（通过输注来泻除邪气，利用针尖锐利）。少发针而深刺（留针时间较长），用来治疗气盛而有热者。第八种叫短刺。短刺，是治疗骨痹，稍微摇动针身并逐渐深入（这是人的渐进过程），将针送达骨骼处，上下摩擦骨骼（摩擦紧迫有力）。第九种叫浮刺。浮刺，是从旁边斜入并浅刺，用来治疗肌肉拘急且有寒者。第十种叫阴刺。阴刺，是左右对称地针刺（统摄两侧），用来治疗寒厥证。中寒厥证，针刺足踝后的足少阴肾经（刺阴邪）。第十一种叫傍针刺。傍针刺，是一针直刺，一针旁刺，各一针，用来治疗留滞日久、固定不移的痹证（直刺其经脉，旁刺其络脉）。第十二种叫赞刺。赞刺，是直入直出，多次快速进针且浅刺以出血，这是用来治疗痈肿的。所谓“赞”，即辅助之意。多次进针且浅刺，以后助前，使其出血。
脉道位置深而看不见的，微细进针并长时间留针，以引导空虚的脉气。脉道浅表的不要深刺，按压阻断其脉气后再刺之，不要耗伤精气，只排出邪气即可。
大凡针刺有五种，以对应五脏。第一种叫半刺。半刺，是浅进针并迅速出针，不损伤肌肉，像拔毛一样轻快，以获取皮部之气。这是与肺相应的刺法。第二种叫豹文刺（言其多点分布如豹纹）。豹文刺，是在左右前后多处针刺，以刺中血脉为原则，以获取经络中的瘀血。这是与心相应的刺法。第三种叫关刺。关刺，是直刺左右两侧肌腱附着处，以治疗筋痹，务必小心不要出血（血液用以滋养筋脉）。这是与肝相应的刺法。也有人称为渊刺，或称为岂刺（渊刺、岂刺都是古名）。第四种叫合谷刺。合谷刺，是在分肉之间向左右呈鸡足状进针，以治疗肌痹。这是与脾相应的刺法。（合谷刺，是说三四针汇聚在一起像鸡足一样刺入。邪气在肉间，所以对应脾脏。）第五种叫输刺。输刺，是直入直出（含义见前文），深刺至骨骼，以治疗骨痹。这是与肾相应的刺法。
(The character "Guan" (Official/Function) means to assume responsibility or manage, referring to the specific suitability of each of the Nine Needles.)
The applications of the Nine Needles vary; they differ in length and size, and each has its specific site of application. For pathogenic factors located in the skin with no fixed location, use the Di Needle (a blunt-tipped needle) at the affected area. Do not use this method if the skin appears pale. For pathogenic factors located between the muscles, use the Yuan Needle (round needle) at the affected area. For stubborn Bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome) involving the meridians and collaterals, use the Feng Needle (three-edged needle). When the pulse qi is deficient and tonification is required, use the Di Needle at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points. For severe conditions involving suppuration (pus formation), use the Pi Needle (sword-shaped needle). For sudden onset of Bi-syndrome qi, use the Yuanli Needle (round-sharp needle). For Bi-syndrome pain that persists and does not resolve, use the Hao Needle (filiform needle). For diseases located internally, use the Chang Needle (long needle). For edema accompanied by blockage of the joints, use the Da Needle (large needle). For stubborn Bi-syndrome affecting the Zang organs, use the Feng Needle, applying reducing methods at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, selecting acupoints according to the four seasons. (The previous text mentioned using the Feng Needle for stubborn meridian Bi-syndrome, targeting only meridian points; here, it refers to reducing the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu points, taking the four seasons into account.)
Generally, there are twelve categories of needling techniques, corresponding to the Twelve Meridians. The first is called Ou Ci (Even/Paired Puncture). Ou Ci involves pressing the chest (heart area) or the back at the site of pain, inserting one needle anteriorly and one posteriorly, to treat Xin Bi (Heart Bi-syndrome). This technique involves lateral insertion. The second is called Bao Ci (Reporting/Repeating Puncture). Bao Ci refers to repeated puncture. It is used for stabbing pain with no fixed location; if the pain moves up and down, insert the needle vertically without withdrawing it, press the moving pain site with the left hand, withdraw the needle, and re-puncture. The third is called Fu Ci (Floating Puncture). Fu Ci involves oblique insertion from the side and lifting/moving the needle anteriorly and posteriorly, to treat tendon stiffness. "Fu" implies superficiality. For tendon stiffness, multiple punctures must be made on the sides, lifting the needle, moving it forward or backward to diffuse the qi, thereby relieving the Bi-syndrome of the tendons. The fourth is called Qi Ci (Simultaneous Puncture). Qi Ci involves one vertical insertion in the center and two oblique insertions on either side (using three needles simultaneously), to treat shallow but deep-seated cold pathogens. It is also called San Ci (Three Punctures), which similarly treats shallow but deep-seated Bi-syndrome qi. The fifth is called Yang Ci (Dispersing Puncture). Yang Ci involves one vertical insertion in the center and four oblique insertions around it, all performed superficially, to treat extensive cold pathogens. "Yang" implies dispersing. Using five needles (one central, four peripheral) superficially helps disperse the cold. The sixth is called Zhi Zhen Ci (Straight Needle Puncture). Zhi Zhen Ci involves pulling the skin taut before inserting the needle (straight entry but shallow depth), to treat superficial cold pathogens. The seventh is called Shu Ci (Transporting Puncture). Shu Ci involves straight insertion and straight withdrawal (transporting and draining pathogenic factors using the sharp tip). It involves sparse needle insertion with deep penetration (prolonged retention time), to treat conditions characterized by excess qi and heat. The eighth is called Duan Ci (Short Puncture). Duan Ci is used for Gu Bi (Bone Bi-syndrome); the needle is slightly rocked and gradually inserted deeper (progressive approach), reaching the bone, where it is moved up and down to rub against the bone (firm friction). The ninth is called Fu Ci (Floating Puncture - distinct from the earlier Fu Ci). This technique involves oblique insertion from the side and superficial penetration, to treat muscle stiffness caused by cold. The tenth is called Yin Ci (Yin Puncture). Yin Ci involves symmetrical puncture on both left and right sides (unifying both sides), to treat Han Jue (Cold Reversal/Cold Extremities). In cases of Cold Reversal, puncture the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian behind the malleolus (to drain yin pathogens). The eleventh is called Bang Zhen Ci (Side-Needle Puncture). Bang Zhen Ci involves one vertical insertion and one lateral insertion, treating long-standing, fixed Bi-syndrome (vertical needle targets the meridian, lateral needle targets the collateral). The twelfth is called Zan Ci (Assisting Puncture). Zan Ci involves straight insertion and withdrawal, with multiple rapid, shallow punctures to induce bleeding, used to treat carbuncles and swellings. "Zan" implies assistance. Multiple shallow punctures assist in inducing bleeding.
For vessels located deeply and invisibly, insert the needle minutely and retain it for a long time to guide the empty vessel qi. For superficial vessels, do not puncture deeply; press to obstruct the vessel qi before puncturing. Do not deplete the essence; only expel the pathogenic qi.
Generally, there are five types of needling techniques, corresponding to the Five Zang Organs. The first is called Ban Ci (Half Puncture). Ban Ci involves shallow insertion and rapid withdrawal without damaging the flesh, resembling the plucking of hair, to obtain the qi of the skin layer. This corresponds to the Lung. The second is called Bao Wen Ci (Leopard-Spot Puncture), named for its multiple distribution like leopard spots. Bao Wen Ci involves puncturing around the left, right, front, and back, aiming at the blood vessels, to extract blood from the meridians and collaterals. This corresponds to the Heart. The third is called Guan Ci (Joint/Tendon Puncture). Guan Ci involves vertical insertion at the attachment points of the tendons on both sides to treat Jin Bi (Tendon Bi-syndrome); care must be taken to avoid bleeding (as blood nourishes the tendons). This corresponds to the Liver. It is also known as Yuan Ci or Qi Ci (ancient names). The fourth is called He Gu Ci (Valley Convergence Puncture). He Gu Ci involves inserting needles in a chicken-foot shape among the muscle layers to treat Ji Bi (Muscle Bi-syndrome). This corresponds to the Spleen. (He Gu Ci describes three or four needles converging like a chicken's foot. Since the pathogen is in the flesh, it corresponds to the Spleen.) The fifth is called Shu Ci (Transporting Puncture). Shu Ci involves straight insertion and straight withdrawal (meaning as previously described), penetrating deeply to the bone to treat Gu Bi (Bone Bi-syndrome). This corresponds to the Kidney.