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Among the methods for saving lives, the wonderful application of acupuncture stands out. Observe the heavenly dao to understand seasonal changes, and determine the patient's constitution within your own mind. In spring and summer, when the body is lean, needling should be shallow; in autumn and winter, when the body is plump, needling should be deep. If one does not exhaustively understand the meridians and yin-yang, one will often encounter needle prohibitions; having discussed the deficiency and excess of zang-fu organs, one must seek points along the meridians.

Originally, qi originates from the middle jiao (middle burner), like water first dripping. It begins with the Taiyin Lung Meridian and ends with the Jueyin Liver Meridian. Points emerge from Yunmen (LU-1) and reach finally to Qimen (LR-14). There are twelve regular meridians and over three hundred collaterals; according to upright, side, supine, and prone positions, there are over six hundred qi observation sites. The hand and foot yang meridians: hand meridians go to the head, and head meridians go to the feet; the hand and foot yin meridians: foot meridians go to the abdomen, and chest meridians go to the hands. To recognize Ying-Sui (following and opposing) techniques, one must understand reverse and forward directions. Moreover, the abundance or scarcity of yin and yang qi and blood is paramount. Jueyin and Taiyang have little qi and much blood; Taiyin and Shaoyin have little blood and much qi.

Furthermore, Shaoyang has much qi and little blood; Yangming has abundant qi and much blood. First, carefully consider the suitability based on abundance or scarcity, then observe the arriving qi. When qi arrives lightly, smoothly, and slowly, it has not yet come; when it arrives deeply, choppy, and tight, it has already arrived. Once arrived, retain the needle according to cold or heat conditions; if not yet arrived, wait for qi arrival based on deficiency or excess. The sensation of qi arrival is like a fish swallowing bait, rising and sinking; the absence of qi is like sitting in a deep, quiet hall. Fast qi arrival brings fast results; slow qi arrival is difficult to treat.

Observing the method of the Nine Needles, the Filiform Needle (Hao Zhen) is the most subtle. Seven stars correspond to the governance of numerous points. Its form is Metal, possessing the way to dispel evil and support righteousness; its length is Water, possessing the mechanism to resolve stagnation and open blockages. Fixing the puncture resembles Wood, treating either evil or righteousness; holding the handle resembles Fire, advancing yang and tonifying weakness. Following mechanisms and palpating to block resembles Earth, truly corresponding to the Five Elements. However, this one-cun-six-fen needle contains profound principles; though fine as a hair, it connects many divergent paths. It can balance the cold and heat of the five zang organs and regulate the deficiency and excess of the six fu organs. For spasms and blockage, pursuing the Eight Evils removes them; for cold-heat pain and bi syndrome, opening the Four Gates resolves it.

Generally, when needling, ensure the patient's Shen (Spirit) is gathered before insertion; after insertion, ensure the Shen is settled so that Qi follows. Do not needle if the Shen is not gathered; proceed if the Shen is settled. At the anchoring point, focus on regulating Qi and Blood; at the starting point, recognize Water and Wood as the foundation. Heaven, Earth, and Man constitute the Three Realities; Yongquan (KI-1) corresponds to Xuanji (CV-21) and Baihui (GV-20); Upper, Middle, and Lower Sanjiao correspond to Dabao (SP-21), Tianshu (ST-25), and Diji (SP-8). Yang Qiao, Yang Wei, and Du Mai govern exterior diseases of the shoulder, back, waist, and legs; Yin Qiao, Yin Wei, Ren Mai, Chong Mai, and Dai Mai address interior doubts of the heart, abdomen, and flanks. Er Ling (Qu Chi LI-11, Yin Ling Quan SP-9), Er Qiao (Zhao Hai KI-6, Shen Mai BL-62), Er Zhi (Wai Guan TE-5, Nei Guan PC-6 - *Note: Interpretation varies*), connect to the Five Greats; Liang Jian (Er Jian LI-2), Liang Shang (Shang Yang LI-1), Liang Bing (Tian Jing SI-10, Zhi Zheng SI-7 - *Note: Interpretation varies*) stand together in two rows. Thus, selecting points requires precise measurements. First examine intent and gaze, then observe muscle layers. Find points through flexion or extension, or by keeping the body straight and stable. On the yang side near tendons and bones, depressions indicate true points; on the yin side, arterial pulses correspond to points. When taking five points using one, it must be accurate; when taking three meridians using one, it can be corrected. Head and shoulder regions are detailed separately; Du Mai and Ren Mai are easily determined. Clarify Biao (Branch) and Ben (Root) to discuss deep and shallow needling; relieve pain by selecting intersecting and penetrating pathways.

Do you not know that for organ diseases, one seeks the subtleties of Men, Hai, Shu, and Mu points; for meridian stagnation, one seeks Yuan, Bie, and Jiaohui points. Further exploring Si Gen and San Jie, needling according to Biao and Ben ensures recovery; utilizing Ba Fa and Wu Men, distinguishing Master and Guest ensures efficacy. The Eight Extraordinary Vessels connect to the Eight Hui points, forming the outline; the Twelve Regular Meridians' Twelve Yuan Source points are called the pivot. The method of selecting sixty-six points daily reveals profundity; selecting the Yuan Source points of the twelve meridians in an hour reveals essential wonders.

Originally, tonification and reduction methods rely not on respiration but on finger manipulation; rapid effects require connecting regular meridians and understanding the primary meridian. Crossing Meridian Miao Ci (contralateral needling): disease on the left is treated on the right; draining collaterals with distant needling: disease on the head is treated on the feet. Ju Ci and Miao Ci differ, but micro-needling and miraculous needling communicate. Observing specific areas reveals meridian deficiency/excess; viewing pulse floating/sinking distinguishes organ cold/warmth.

First, ensure the needle is bright (clean/sharp) and check for damage; next, keep it in the mouth to warm it. Look not outward, hold the hand like grasping a tiger, let no internal distractions arise, treat the patient like a noble guest. The left hand presses heavily and frequently to disperse qi; the right hand enters lightly and slowly to avoid pain. Empty stomach fearfulness causes dizziness when standing or lying sideways; facing away, closing eyes, pressing down, and lying flat prevents fainting. Deduce from the Ten Stems and Ten Changes to know the opening and closing of acupoints; discuss the Five Elements and Five Zang to observe the prosperity and decline of times. Lie like a drawn crossbow, respond like releasing the trigger. Yin Jiao and Yang Bie settle blood vertigo; Yin Qiao and Yin Wei deliver the placenta. Bi syndrome, convulsions, and hemiplegia are connected via Ying-Sui; leukorrhea and uterine bleeding are regulated by warming and tonifying to return qi and blood. Retain statically for a long time, pause the needle to wait. For precise locations, use Zhao Hai (KI-6) to treat throat obstruction; for exact spots, use Da Zhong (KI-4) to treat mental dullness. Generally, pain indicates excess to reduce, itching/numbness indicates deficiency to tonify. Heavy body and joint pain are treated with Shu points; epigastric fullness is treated with Jing-Well points. Heart distension and throat pain are removed by needling Da Chong (Da Ling PC-7, Chong Men SP-12?); cold spleen and stomach pain are cured by reducing Gongsun (SP-4). Chest fullness and abdominal pain are needled at Neiguan (PC-6); flank and rib pain are needled at Fei Hu (Zu Lin Qi GB-41). Tendon spasms and bone pain are tonified at Hun Men (BL-47); body heat and chronic cough are reduced at Po Hu (BL-48). Head wind and headache are needled at Shen Mai (BL-62) and Jin Men (BL-63); itchy/painful eyes are treated by reducing Guang Ming (GB-37) at Di Hu (Tai Xi KI-3?); reducing Yin Xie (HT-6) stops night sweats and treats pediatric bone steaming; needling Pian Li (SI-6) promotes urination and treats adult ascites. Fengzhong is suitable for needling at Huan Tiao (GB-30); deficiency is treated at Tian Shu (ST-25).

Thus, before noon until Mao hour, Taiyin generates blood, warming is beneficial; after Li/Zuo to You/Nan, new moon is death, cooling is urgent. Circulate, palpate, flick the bowstring, retain inhalation for Mother point to make it firm and long; press with nail, extend and lift, rapid exhalation for Child point to make it short. Move, withdraw, empty, rest, oppose and seize on the right to reduce coolness; push inward, advance, rub, follow and assist on the left to tonify warmth. Generally, for critical illnesses where color and pulse are discordant, do not needle; for cold, heat, wind, yin conditions, hunger, fullness, drunkenness, and fatigue, strictly avoid needling. Do not tonify on the day of the Full Moon (Wang), do not reduce on the day of the New Moon (Hui); do not drain on the day of the Waxing Moon (Xian), do not assist on the day of the Waning Moon (Shuo). Refine your mind to exhaust the methods, do not let moxa burn the skin; correct the principle to seek the origin, avoid inserting needles in wrong positions. Avoid moxibustion sites to harmonize the four limbs, there are forty-nine; prohibit needle sites excluding the six fu organs, there are twenty-two.

I once heard that Emperor Gaozu was ill and not recovered, but Li Shi needled Juque (CV-14) and he revived; the Crown Prince died suddenly from Jue syndrome, but Yue Ren (Bian Que) needled Huiwei (GV-8) and he woke up. Jianjing (GB-21) and Quchi (LI-11): Zhen Quan needled arm pain and it immediately healed; Xuanzhong (GB-39) and Huantiao (GB-30): Hua Tuo needled the foot and he could walk immediately. Qiu Fu needled Yaoshu (GV-2) and the ghost/demon subsided; Wang Zuan needled Jiaoshu (BL-42) and the spirit departed. Taking Ganshu (BL-18) and Mingmen (GV-4) allows a blind man to see the finest hair; shaoyang and Jiaobie needling allows a deaf man to hear the sound of summer mosquitoes. Alas! As we move further from the Sages, this path declines. Some lose interest and scatter their studies; some lack ability and violate prohibitions. Mediocre and ignorant people find it hard to match profound words; the ultimate Dao is deep, how many attain it? (*Zhen Jing Zhi Nan* was written by Bao Hanqing.)