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A question was asked: "When treating heat diseases, what kind of needles should be used?" I answered: "One should use Chan needles (Chan Zhen, 镵针), Feng needles (Feng Zhen, 锋针), and Yuanli needles (Yuanli Zhen, 圆利针). These four types are the needles designated for treating heat diseases."

The chapter "Heat Diseases" in *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: "In heat diseases, if skin pain, nasal congestion, and facial swelling occur first, treat the skin level using the first type of needle (i.e., Chan needle) combined with the fifty-nine acupoint method (see below). If the body feels rough or stiff, fever leans towards one side, there is irritability, dry mouth, dry lips, and dry throat, treat the vessel level using the first type of needle combined with the fifty-nine acupoint method (see below). (The first type of needle refers to the Chan needle mentioned in *Jiu Zhen Lun* [Treatise on Nine Needles].)"

[Diagram of Chan Needle]
(The head is large, and the tip is sharp. It is made by taking a needle from a dry cloth, removing one and a half cun from the tip, and gradually sharpening it. The length is one cun and six fen. It is primarily used for heat in the head and body; it must not be inserted deeply, so that Yang Qi can exit.)

"If heat disease presents with headache, temporal pain, eye pain as if protruding, and frequent epistaxis, this is Jue heat disease. Treat it using the third type of needle (see below). (The third type of needle refers to the Di needle mentioned in *Jiu Zhen Lun*.)"

[Diagram of Di Needle]
(The needle body is thick, and the tip is round. It is shaped like the sharp point of millet grains. The length is three cun and five fen. It is mainly used to press upon the vessels to guide Qi and expel pathogenic factors.)

"If heat disease presents with a bluish complexion, headache, restlessness of the hands and feet, treat the sinew level using the fourth type of needle (see below). If heat disease involves frequent fright and mania, treat the vessel level using the fourth type of needle (see below). If heat disease presents with heavy body, bone pain, deafness, and a preference for closing the eyes, treat the bone level using the fourth type of needle combined with the fifty-nine acupoint method (see below). If heat disease involves heavy body and heat in the intestines, use the fourth type of needle (see below). If heat disease involves urgency and pain around the navel, and fullness in the chest and hypochondrium (see below), use the fourth type of needle. (The fourth type of needle refers to the Feng needle mentioned in *Jiu Zhen Lun*.)"

[Diagram of Feng Needle]
(The body is cylindrical, and the tip is sharp. It is modeled after cotton wool. The needle length is one cun and six fen. It is used to drain heat and induce bleeding. The chapter 'Nine Needles and Twelve Source Points' states: 'Blades with three edges are used to release stubborn diseases.' In the fifty-nine acupuncture points method, the Shaoshang acupoint is pricked with a triangular blade to cause slight bleeding; this is where this needle is used.)

"If heat disease presents with dry throat, excessive thirst, susceptibility to fright, and inability to rise from bed, treat the flesh level using the sixth type of needle combined with the fifty-nine acupoint method (see below). (The sixth type of needle refers to the Yuanli needle mentioned in *Jiu Zhen Lun*.)"

[Diagram of Yuanli Needle]
(The tip is sharp like an arrowhead, being both round and acute, with a slightly larger tip and a relatively thinner body. It is modeled after the shape of a needle. The length is one cun and six fen. It is used to dispel sudden pathogenic Qi.)

(Hu notes: The above describes the general principles of needle therapy for heat diseases. To view the full text details, one must carefully examine the *Nei Jing* [Inner Canon].)