捻针指法不相同，一般在手两般功，内外转移行上下，助正伏邪疾自轻。
【注】[1]凡捻针时，虽一般在手，而指法不同，故功有两般也。
[2]如欲治上，则大指向外捻，外捻者令其气向上也；如欲治下，则大指
向内捻，内捻者令其气至下也。
[3]内捻为之补，外捻为之泻。
[4]如经络向下者，转针头逆之则为迎也；经络向上者，移针头顺之则为
随也。
[5]指法得宜，则正气自复，而邪气自退矣。
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留针取气候沉浮，出入徐徐必逗留，能令荣卫纵横散，巧妙元机在指头。
【注】[1]留针者，凡出针至于天部，入针至于地区，须在皮肤肌肉间徐徐容留，
令荣卫宣散方可出针入针。
[2]若出针太急，则血随针出，反伤荣卫，其巧妙元机，全在指头也。
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摇针三部皆六摇，根据次推排在指梢，孔穴大开无窒碍，邪气退除病自消。
【注】[1]摇针者，如出针三部欲泻之际，每一部摇二、三摇，
多者不过六摇而已。
[2]以指捻针，如扶人头摇之之状，使孔穴开大，无有窒碍，
庶邪气退除而病愈矣。
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拔针之时切勿忙，闭门存神要精详，不沉不紧求针尾，此诀须当韫锦囊。
【注】[1]凡针毕拔针，最要精详，不可轻率忙乱也。
[2]如欲出针，须待针下气缓，不沉不紧，觉轻功滑快，
方以右指捻住针尾，以左手大指按其针穴，及穴外之皮，
令针穴门户不开，神气内存，然后拔针，庶不至于出血。
[3]此针家要诀，须当韫于锦囊也。
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The finger techniques for twirling the needle differ. Although performed with the hands, they yield two distinct effects. By rotating internally and externally to guide the Qi up and down, supporting the righteous Qi and subduing the pathogenic factors, the disease will naturally alleviate.
[Note] [1] When twirling the needle, although the action is primarily in the fingers, different techniques produce two different effects.
[2] If treating the upper part of the body, twist outward with the thumb; "outward twisting" directs the Qi upward. If treating the lower part, twist inward with the thumb; "inward twisting" directs the Qi downward.
[3] Inward twisting constitutes the tonification method (Bu), while outward twisting constitutes the sedation method (Xie).
[4] For meridians flowing downward, rotating the needle head against the flow is called "Ying" (Meeting/Rebelling); for meridians flowing upward, moving the needle head along the flow is called "Sui" (Following).
[5] When the finger technique is appropriate, the righteous Qi recovers naturally, and the pathogenic factors retreat naturally.
When retaining the needle, one must await the fluctuation of Qi; entering and exiting should be slow and leisurely, requiring a period of retention to allow Ying and Wei Qi to disperse freely. The subtlety lies entirely in the dexterity of the fingers.
[Note] [1] Retaining the needle refers to pausing slowly within the skin and muscle layers when withdrawing to the Heaven level (superficial) or inserting to the Earth level (deep), allowing Ying and Wei Qi to disperse before withdrawing or inserting.
[2] If withdrawal is too rapid, blood may follow the needle out, damaging Ying and Wei Qi. The subtlety lies entirely in finger dexterity.
Shaking the needle involves six shakes across the three levels (Heaven, Man, Earth), arranged sequentially at the fingertips. This opens the acupoint widely without obstruction, causing pathogenic factors to retreat and the disease to vanish.
[Note] [1] Shaking the needle: when performing sedation during withdrawal from the three levels, shake each level two or three times, not exceeding six times in total.
[2] Twirl the needle with fingers as if shaking a person's head, widening the acupoint aperture without obstruction, so that pathogenic factors retreat and the illness heals.
Do not rush when withdrawing the needle; carefully preserve the Shen (Spirit) by closing the aperture. Seek the sensation of neither heaviness nor tightness at the needle handle; this secret must be kept in a brocade bag.
[Note] [1] Upon completion of needling, withdrawal requires utmost care and precision, avoiding haste or confusion.
[2] To withdraw, wait until the Qi under the needle feels relaxed, neither heavy nor tight, but light and smooth. Then, hold the needle handle with the right thumb, press the acupoint and surrounding skin with the left thumb to keep the aperture closed and retain the Shen, then withdraw the needle to prevent bleeding.
[3] This is a crucial secret of acupuncture, which should be treasured in a brocade bag.