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Naohu (Brain Door), Xinhui (Confluence of Brain and Hairline), and Shenting (Spirit Palace) acupoints; Yuzhen (Jade Pillow) acupoint's collateral extends to Chengling (Receiving Spirit). Lufeng (Skull Fontanelle), Jiaosun (Corner Sun), Chengqi (Below Eye Bulb), Shendao (Spirit Path), Lingtai (Spirit Platform), and Danzhong (Chest Center, located on the anterior midline of the chest at the midpoint between the nipples) are explicit contraindicated or critical acupoints. Above Shuifen (Water Separation), Shenque (God's Gate, i.e., umbilicus), and Huiyin (Meeting Yin) acupoints; Henggu (Horizontal Bone) and Qichong (Qi Rushing) acupoints must strictly avoid needling; Jimen (Gate of Basin), Chengjin (Supporting Sinew), and Shouwuli (Hand Five Li) acupoints, from Sanyangluo (Three Yang Network) to Qingling (Green Spirit) acupoints are also forbidden for needling. Pregnant women should not be needled at Hegu (Union Valley); Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection) internally is also generally considered requiring caution; Shimen (Stone Gate) acupuncture and moxibustion must be avoided, otherwise women will never conceive in their lifetime. Additionally, Yunmen (Cloud Gate) and Jiutui (Turtle Tail) acupoints; if Quepen (Collar Pit) is needled deeply, it causes severe dizziness affecting both primary and secondary meridians; deep needling of Jianjing (Shoulder Well) can also cause fainting, at which point urgently tonifying Zusanli (Leg Three Miles) allows the person to recover. Accidental puncture of the five Zang organs or the Gallbladder leads to death; bleeding from Chongyang (Chongyang Pulse) is difficult to treat and may endanger life; Haiquan (Sea Spring), the cheek area, and above the nipple; damage to the spinal marrow in the interspinous region leads to kyphotic deformity. The thenar eminence (Shouyu), Xangu (Sunken Valley), inner thigh, patella, Huizong (Meeting of Sinews), and Kidney meridian related areas; three cun below the axilla and groin, around the eye sockets, and joints all require comprehensive assessment to avoid injury.

In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor created nine types of needles, each with different shapes: The first is Chan Needle (Chan Zhen), corresponding to Heaven, one inch and six fen long, with a large head and sharp tip, used to drain Yang Qi; The second is Yuan Needle (Yuan Zhen), corresponding to Earth, one inch and six fen long, with an egg-shaped rounded tip for rubbing without damaging muscles, used to drain Qi in the subcutaneous tissue; The third is Di Needle (Di Zhen), corresponding to Humanity, three inches and half long, with a tip shaped like millet grains, primarily treating vessel disorders without penetrating deeply into muscle, to guide Qi; The fourth is Feng Needle (Feng Zhen), corresponding to the Four Seasons, one inch and six fen long, with a triangular blade edge to treat chronic diseases; The fifth is Pi Needle (Pi Zhen), corresponding to the Five Tones, four inches long and two-and-a-half fen wide, with a tip like a sword edge to drain large amounts of pus; The sixth is Yuanli Needle (Yuanli Zhen), corresponding to the Six Laws, one inch and six fen long, as thick as a hair but round and sharp, slightly thicker in the middle, used to treat acute conditions; The seventh is Hao Needle (Hao Zhen / Filiform Needle), corresponding to the Seven Stars, three inches and six fen long, with a tip like a mosquito or midge proboscis; operation involves quiet and slow insertion, slight retention to alleviate itching, used to treat pain and Bi syndrome; The eighth is Chang Needle (Chang Zhen), corresponding to the Eight Winds, seven inches long, sharp and thin-bodied, used to treat distant Bi syndromes; The ninth is Da Needle (Da Zhen), corresponding to the Nine Fields, four inches long, with a slightly pointed tip like a staff, used to drain fluid from joints. Thus, the nine needles are complete. This discusses the subtleties of the nine needles. The filiform needle is the most refined, corresponding to the Seven Stars, and serves as the needle for the 360 acupoints.