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Yang Xuancao stated: The orthodox spine in the Yellow Emperor's classic consists of twenty-one vertebrae. Hua Tuo, Bian Que, Cao Xi, and Gao KT (note: likely a textual corruption or specific name) claimed either twenty-four, twenty-two, or that tall people have twenty-four vertebrae while short people have twenty-one. All these views are flawed, and the underlying principles remain doubtful. Humans inherit the essence of heaven and earth and possess the nature of the Five Elements; bone joints and apertures are entirely determined by natural endowment. Variations in length and thickness result from growth and development; thus, taller individuals have longer bones, and shorter individuals have shorter bones, with no surplus or deficit in their segmented structure. If tall people had twenty-four vertebrae, would their limbs and joints not be more numerous? If short people had twenty-one vertebrae, would their limbs and joints be fewer? This indicates that the skeletal framework is constant, and limb joints do not differ. Contemporary scholars' forced interpretations lead to divergent views; one should adhere to the orthodox teachings of the Yellow Emperor and avoid shallow methods from miscellaneous arts. However, Hua Tuo and Bian Que were renowned physicians of past dynasties; how could their legacy be so inconsistent? It is likely that later transmitters lost the original intent.

It is also said: All back-Shu points are bilateral, located three cun lateral to the spine. Various miscellaneous theories differ. Some state: Lung Shu is below the fifth vertebra, Heart Shu below the seventh; others claim distances of two and a half cun, two cun, or three and three-tenths cun; some assert there are three points for each Shu. This is erroneous. The *Mingtang Jing* (Classic of the Bright Hall) is the orthodox text of the Yellow Emperor, the legacy of sages, where all acupoints are precisely indicated. Huangfu Mi (courtesy name Shi'an), a distinguished scholar of the Jin Dynasty who was well-versed in medicine, compiled the *Jia Yi Jing* (A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), establishing standards based on the three pulse positions. Thus, the *Mingtang Jing* and *Jia Yi Jing* are the secret treasures of sages; later students should follow them and not blindly accept heterodox theories, thereby deviating from the correct path.

Yang Shangshan stated: The reasons for discrepancies in methods for selecting back-Shu points lie in the fact that although the human body of seven chi five cun is small, it mirrors heaven and earth, and no meridian is incomplete. Therefore, different versions inherited by various scholars, such as Ri Qushi, contain different origins and names. Yet, since they effectively treat many diseases, wisdom should be applied to use them appropriately; one cannot rely solely on words. Although some may seem incorrect, labeling them all as wrong shows a lack of understanding of grand theories. Hence, this method of measurement reflects that sage teachings vary, which is not surprising.

The *Huangdi Mingtang Jing* (Yellow Emperor's Classic of the Bright Hall) regarding vertebral positioning for Shu points states:
Dazhu (BL11) is located beside the lower aspect of the first vertebra. Fengmen (BL12) is beside the lower aspect of the second vertebra. Feishu (BL13) is below the third vertebra. Xinshu (BL15) is below the fifth vertebra. Geshu (BL17) is below the seventh vertebra.
All points are located three cun lateral to the midline of the spine.

The *Bian Que Zhenjiu Jing* (Bian Que's Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states: The second vertebra is named Dazhu (each side one and a half cun, also known as Fengfu). The fourth vertebra is named Guan Shu. The fifth vertebra is named Du Mai Shu. The third vertebra is named Xuan Shu (textual gap filled based on context). The eighteenth vertebra is named San Jiao Shu (textual gap filled based on context). Treatments apply to the twenty-second... Nineteen vertebrae should be treated with moxibustion. All Shu points are one and a half cun or one and two-tenths cun lateral to the spine. Only the Liver Shu is at the first vertebra level; moxa its segment. Its thirteenth... (text cuts off).

The *Hua Tuo Zhenjiu Jing Fa* (Hua Tuo's Methods of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states: The first vertebra is named Dazhui (GV14). The third vertebra is named Yunmen. The fourth vertebra is named Shen Shu. The fifth vertebra is named Mai Shu (also known as Jueyin Shu). The... vertebra is named... (text cuts off)... named Da Shao... (text cuts off)... (also known as Chongxia...). The twenty-third vertebra is named Xia... (text cuts off).
All vertebrae are spaced one cun apart laterally to the spine.

The *Long Xiansu Zhenjing* (Long Xiansu's Needle Classic) states: Refu (Dazhui GV14) is one cun above the hairline, spanning three intervals horizontally. Xinshu is three cun lateral to the third vertebra, also known as Shenshu. Feng... (text cuts off)... Zheng...
For humans of varying height, weight, and build, bone joints differ in size; thus, a single method cannot be used universally. One should measure according to individual proportions using feet, chi, and cun. Horizontal measurement of the hand four... (text cuts off).

The methods of Monk Kuang and Che Gong, differing from the aforementioned four classics, are listed separately:
Fengmen is at the third segment. Xinshu is at the seventh segment. Geshu is at the eighth segment. Pishu is at the twelfth segment (also said to be the sixteenth segment). Weishu is at the eleventh segment. Xiaochang... (text cuts off). Du Mai... (text cuts off).
The above five schools' vertebral methods for back-Shu points that conflict with the *Mingtang Jing* are listed separately above; those consistent with the classic are not included in this list.

The *Beishu Duliang Fa* (Method of Measuring Back-Shu Points) states: Humans vary in height, leanness, and fatness; measurements must follow the body shape and cannot be uniform. To carefully examine the twelve Shu points of the zang-fu organs, one should... (text cuts off).

The *Huangdi Suwen* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon: Basic Questions) states: To locate back-Shu points, first measure the distance between the two nipples, bisect it, then use another grass/stalk to measure half of that remaining distance, and place it between the two corners... (text cuts off)... once... degree...

The *Huangdi Jiujuan* (Yellow Emperor's Nine Volumes) states: If measuring a dissected body, one can measure from the Dazhui vertebra straight down to the tip of the coccyx, divide it into twenty-two parts, and approximate... (text cuts off).

The *Jinteng Jiu Jing* (Golden Vault Moxa Classic) states: For the twelve Shu points of the zang-fu organs, connected by meridians, the method is to measure from Dazhui straight down to the coccyx, bisect it, take the remaining half, and divide it into four parts... (text cuts off)... Shu; from the Liver... name...
All zang-fu Shu points are two and a half cun lateral to the spine, except for the Liver Shu, which is directly on the midline of the spine.