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Carbuncles and sores arise from the mutual stagnation of Yin and Yang. Qi belongs to Yang, and Blood belongs to Yin. Blood circulates within the vessels, while Qi circulates outside the vessels; they move together in a continuous flow throughout the body. When Cold and Dampness contend, causing coagulation and sluggish circulation, this is termed "insufficiency." When Heat and Fire contend, causing boiling and rapid circulation, this is termed "excess." When Qi is constrained by pathogenic factors, body fluids become thick and sticky, forming Phlegm (Tan) and Fluid retention (Yin). Over time, these infiltrate the vessels, turbidifying the Blood; this is Yin stagnating in Yang. When Blood is constrained by pathogenic factors, the meridians and collaterals are obstructed, leading to extravasation or coagulation. Over time, it leaks out of the vessels, disrupting the movement of Qi; this is Yang stagnating in Yin. All diseases originate from this, not merely carbuncles and sores. "Yang stagnating in Yin" refers to Excess Yang stagnating Yin Blood, presenting with a Floating (Fu), Surging (Hong), Wiry (Xian), or Rapid (Shu) pulse. "Yin stagnating in Yang" refers to Deficient Yin stagnating Yang Qi, presenting with a Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi), or Choppy (Se) pulse. Yang stagnation is treated with Cold methods, while Yin stagnation is treated with Warm methods.

Sores and ulcers belong to the category of Fire. One must distinguish between internal and external origins to treat the root cause. The Classics state: "Changes caused by rich and greasy foods can produce large Ding (hard boils)." The source is internal, manifesting externally, akin to holding emptiness—indicating that internal accumulation manifests outwardly, emerging from deficiency. For instance, if the Taiyang Meridian (Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian) is deficient, the sore emerges at the temples; if the Yangming Meridian (Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian) is deficient, it emerges at the beard area; if the Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) is deficient, it emerges on the head. The Classics also state: "The dampness of the earth, when contracted, harms the skin, flesh, sinews, and vessels." The source is external, but when excessive, it moves inward. If the pulse is Deep and Excess (Chen Shi), one should first unblock the interior to cut off the source. If the pulse is Floating and Large (Fu Da), one should first support the interior (Tuo Li) to prevent pathogenic invasion. There is also a condition situated between internal and external, where pathogenic factors are extremely strong, blocking the meridians, thus generating carbuncles and swelling. The Classics state: "When Ying (Nutritive) Qi does not follow its proper course and rebels within the muscle tissue, carbuncles and swelling arise." This results from failure to support the interior, failure to unblock, and failure to harmonize Ying and Wei (Defensive) Qi. The general principle for treating sores requires mastering three methods: supporting the interior (Tuo Li), unblocking (Shu Tong), and harmonizing Ying and Wei (He Rong Wei). Supporting the interior treats disease moving from exterior to interior. Unblocking treats disease moving from interior to exterior. Harmonizing Ying and Wei treats disease situated in the middle. In cases of interior-to-exterior movement, the pulse is Deep and Excess, accompanied by fever and irritability, without external redness, and pain is deep internally, indicating pathogenic factors sunk in the interior. Thus, one first uses unblocking to cut off the source, such as Nei Shu Huang Lian Tang (Internal Draining Coptis Decoction). In cases of exterior-to-interior movement, the pulse is Floating and Rapid, swelling is external, and symptoms manifest outwardly; one fears that extreme pathogenic factors may move inward. Therefore, one may use sweating methods or first apply supporting the interior to prevent inward invasion, such as Jing Fang Bai Du San (Aucklandia and Saposhnikovia Decoction to Overcome Toxicity) or Nei Tuo Fu Jian San (Interior-Supporting Double-Boiled Powder). In cases of the middle type, there is no exterior aversion to cold, internal organs are unobstructed, and the location is known to be in the meridians; thus, one harmonizes Ying and Wei, using Dang Gui Huang Qi Tang (Angelica and Astragalus Decoction) or Dong Yuan Bai Zhi Sheng Ma Tang (Baical Skullcap and Cimicifuga Decoction by Li Dongyuan). Using these three methods, even if full recovery is not immediate, complications will certainly be avoided, and pathogenic factors will be significantly reduced, facilitating recovery. Between sweating, purging, and harmonizing methods, there are further steps for external treatment, detailed in the section on Tianrong Acupoint Ding Sores.