Library

Difficulty 69 states: The classic texts say, "Tonify deficiency, sedate excess, and for neither-deficient-nor-excess conditions, treat via the affected meridian." What does this mean? The answer is: For deficiency, tonify its mother point; for excess, sedate its child point. One should first apply tonification, then sedation. When treating neither-deficient-nor-excess conditions by selecting points from the affected meridian, it means the primary meridian itself has become diseased without interference from external pathogens. Therefore, one should directly select points from that meridian, hence the phrase "treat via the affected meridian."

Difficulty 70 states: Why should acupuncture be shallow in spring and summer, and deep in autumn and winter? The answer is: In spring and summer, yang qi ascends to the exterior, and human qi also moves outward; therefore, shallow insertion is appropriate. In autumn and winter, yang qi sinks to the interior, and human qi also moves inward; therefore, deep insertion is appropriate.
What does it mean to introduce one yin in spring and summer, and one yang in autumn and winter? The answer is: In the warm seasons of spring and summer, one must introduce yin. Upon initial needle insertion, the needle is pressed down deeply to the regions corresponding to the Liver and Kidney. Once deqi (arrival of qi) is obtained, the needle is manipulated to draw in yin qi. In the cold seasons of autumn and winter, one must introduce yang. Upon initial insertion, the needle is kept superficial and floating up to the regions corresponding to the Heart and Lungs. Once deqi is obtained, the needle is pushed inward to introduce yang qi. This is referred to as introducing yin in spring and summer, and introducing yang in autumn and winter.

Difficulty 71 states: The classic texts say, "When needling the Ying (Nutrient) level, do not injure the Wei (Defensive) level; when needling the Wei level, do not injure the Ying level." What does this mean? The answer is: To needle yang levels (Wei), insert the needle obliquely or horizontally. To needle yin levels (Ying), first use the left hand to press and hold the area of the acupoint (such as a Ying or Shu point). Once the local qi has dispersed, insert the needle. This is what is meant by "needling Ying without injuring Wei, and needling Wei without injuring Ying."

Difficulty 72 states: The classic texts say, "If one understands the qi dynamics of Ying (following) and Sui (opposing/counter-flowing), one can regulate them; the method for regulating qi must lie in Yin and Yang." What does this mean? The answer is: The terms Ying and Sui refer to understanding the circulation of Ying and Wei qi and the flow of meridians. By following or opposing the direction of qi flow during needling, it is called Ying and Sui.
The statement that the method for regulating qi must lie in Yin and Yang means understanding the internal and external, surface and interior aspects of the pathology, and regulating according to yin-yang principles. Hence, it is said that "the method for regulating qi must lie in Yin and Yang."

Difficulty 73 states: All Jing-Well points are located where muscles are thin and qi is scarce, making them insufficient for direct manipulation. How should they be needled? The answer is: Jing-Well points belong to Wood; Ying-Spring points belong to Fire. Fire is the child of Wood. When one needs to sedate a Jing-Well point, one should instead sedate its corresponding Ying-Spring point. Thus, the classic texts state, "Tonification cannot be used as sedation, and sedation cannot be used as tonification," which refers to this principle.