《千金方》云∶凡灸法,坐点穴,则坐灸∶卧点穴,则卧灸;立点穴,则立灸。
须四体平直,毋令倾侧。若倾侧,穴不正,徒破好肉耳。《明堂》云∶须得身体平直,
毋令拳缩,坐点毋令俯仰,立点毋令倾侧。
《资生》云∶凡灸当先阳后阴,言从头向左而渐下,次从头向右而渐下,先上后
下。《明堂》云∶先灸上,后灸下,先灸少,后灸多,皆宜审之。王节斋曰∶灸火须自
上而下,不可先灸下后灸上。
灸寒热之法,先灸大椎,以年为壮数,次灸撅骨以年为壮数。视背俞陷者灸之,臂肩上
陷者灸之,两季胁之间灸之,外踝上绝骨之端灸之,足小指、次指间灸之, 下陷脉灸
之,外踝后灸之,缺盆骨上切之坚动如筋者灸之,膺中陷骨间灸之,脐下关元三寸灸之,毛
际动脉灸之,膝下三寸分间灸之,足阳明跗上动脉灸之,巅上一穴灸之。
《资生》云∶凡着艾得疮发,所患即瘥,若不发,其病不愈。《甲乙经》云∶灸疮
不发者,故履底灸令热熨之,三日即发。令人用赤皮葱三五茎,去青,于 火中煨热,
拍破,热熨疮上十余遍,其疮三日遂发。又以生麻油渍之而发,亦有用皂角煎汤,候冷频
点之而发,亦有恐血气衰不发,服四物汤,滋养血气,不可一概而论也。有复灸一二壮遂
发,有会热炙之物,如烧鱼、煎豆腐、羊肉之类而发,在人以意取助,不可顺其自然,终
不发矣。
According to the *Qianjin Fang* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): For all moxibustion methods, if acupoints are selected while sitting, moxibustion should be performed while sitting; if selected while lying down, moxibustion should be performed while lying down; if selected while standing, moxibustion should be performed while standing.
The four limbs and body must be kept straight, without tilting or leaning. If tilted or leaning, the acupoints will not be accurate, resulting in nothing but the unnecessary damage of healthy flesh. The *Mingtang Jing* (Classic of the Bright Hall) states: The body must be kept straight, without curling or shrinking. When selecting points while sitting, avoid bowing forward or looking up; when selecting points while standing, avoid tilting or leaning.
According to the *Zisheng Jing* (Aid to Generation): In general, moxibustion should follow the principle of treating Yang meridians before Yin meridians. This means starting from the head and moving gradually downward to the left, then from the head and moving gradually downward to the right, always treating the upper parts before the lower parts. The *Mingtang Jing* states: Treat the upper areas first, then the lower areas; treat with fewer moxa cones (zhuang) first, then with more. All these principles should be carefully considered. Wang Jiezhai stated: Moxa fire must be applied from top to bottom; one must not treat the lower parts before the upper parts.
For the treatment of cold-heat disorders, first moxa the Dazhui GV14 acupoint, using the patient's age as the number of moxa cones (zhuang). Next, moxa the coccyx end area (near Changqiang), also using the patient's age as the number of moxa cones. Observe the back-Shu points; if there are depressions, apply moxibustion there. Apply moxibustion to depressions in the arms and shoulders. Apply moxibustion between the two hypochondriac regions. Apply moxibustion at the end of the Juegu GB39 acupoint above the lateral malleolus. Apply moxibustion between the little toe and the second toe. Apply moxibustion where the pulse is depressed. Apply moxibustion behind the lateral malleolus. Apply moxibustion to the area above the clavicle (Quepen) that feels hard and pulsates like a tendon upon palpation. Apply moxibustion to the depression between the bones in the chest (Yingzhong). Apply moxibustion three cun below the umbilicus at Guanyuan CV4. Apply moxibustion to the arterial pulse at the pubic hairline. Apply moxibustion three cun below the knee in the intermuscular space. Apply moxibustion to the arterial pulse on the dorsum of the foot belonging to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Apply moxibustion to a single point on the vertex of the head.
According to the *Zisheng Jing*: Whenever moxibustion results in the formation of a moxa sore (jiuchuang), the disease being treated will heal. If no sore forms, the disease will not heal. The *Jia Yi Jing* (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states: If the moxa sore does not develop, heat an old shoe sole and apply it as a hot compress to the affected area; the sore will develop within three days. One method involves taking three to five stalks of red-skin green onion, removing the green leaves, warming them by roasting in fire, crushing them, and applying the hot compress to the moxa sore for over ten repetitions; the sore will develop within three days. Another method involves soaking the area in raw sesame oil to induce development. Some use decoctions of Gleditsia sinensis (Zaojiao), cooling it and frequently applying drops to induce development. In cases where blood and qi deficiency might prevent development, Sini Tang (Four Substance Decoction) may be taken to nourish blood and qi; however, these methods cannot be applied uniformly. Some sores develop after adding one or two additional moxa cones. Others develop due to exposure to heat-generating foods such as roasted fish, fried tofu, or lamb. It depends on the practitioner's judgment to choose appropriate auxiliary measures; one cannot simply let nature take its course, otherwise the sore will never develop.