《针经》云∶必欲治病,莫如用针。巧运神机之妙,攻开圣理之深。外取砭针,能蠲邪
而扶正,中含水火,善回阳以倒阴。又云∶观夫九针之法,毫针最微。然是一寸六分,包含
妙理,虽细拟于毫发,洞贯多歧,可平五脏之寒热,能调六腑之虚实。是以歧伯分九针。九
针者,天地之大数也,始于一而终于九,故曰一以法天,二以法地,三以法人,四以法时,
五以法音,六以法律,七以法星,八以法风,九以法野。《素问》曰∶以针应九之野,九而
九之,九九八十一,以起黄钟数焉。以针应数也,一者天也,天者阳也,五藏之应,天者肺
,肺者五脏之华盖也,皮者肺之合也,人之阳也,故为之治,针必以大其头而锐其末,令KT
得深入而阳气出;二者地也,人之所以应,上者肉也,故为之治,针必筒其身故员其末,
令无侵伤肉分,伤则气得竭;三者人也,人之所以生成者血脉也,故为之治,针必大其身员
其末,令可以按脉,勿陷以致其气,令邪气独出;四者时也,时者四时八风之客于经络之中,
为瘤病者也,故为之治,针必筒其身而锋其末,令可以泻热出血而痼病竭;五者音也,冬夏
之分,分于子午,阴与阳别,寒与热争,两气相搏,合为痈脓者也,故为之治,针必令其末
如剑锋,可以治大脓;六者律也,律者调阴阳四时,而合十二经脉,虚邪客于经络,而为暴
痹者也,故为之治,针必令尖如厘,且员且锐,中身微大,以取暴气;七者星也,星者人之
七窍,邪之所客于经,而为痛痹,含于经络者也,故为之治,针令尖如蚊虻喙,静以徐往,
微以久留,正气因之,真邪俱往,出针而养者也;八者风也,风者人之股肱八节也,八正之
虚风,八风伤人,内舍于骨解腰脊节腠理之间,为深痹也,故为之治,针长其身锋,其末可
以取深邪远痹;九者野也,野者人之节解皮肤之间也,淫邪流溢于身,如风水之状,而溜大
能过于关节,大节于关节者也。歧伯又云∶九针之长短,一曰 针,长一寸六分,主热在头
身也;二曰员针,其锋长一寸六分,主治分间气,三曰 针,长三寸半,主按脉取气令邪出
;四曰锋针,其身锋,其末长一寸六,主痈热出血;五曰铍针,广三分半,长四寸,主大痈
脓,两热争者,长一寸六分,主取痈痹者也;七曰毫针,法于毫毛,长一寸六分,主寒热痛
痹在络者也;八曰长针,长七寸,主深邪远痹者也;九曰大针,其针微员,长四寸,主取大
气不出关节者也。歧伯又云∶身形之应九野,左足应立春,左胁应春分,左手应立夏,膺喉
首头应夏至,右手应立秋,右胁应秋分,右足应立冬,腰尻下窍应冬至,六腑膈下三 应中
州。凡所应之处,不可犯禁。《灵枢》云∶形乐志苦,病生于脉,治之以灸刺;形苦志乐,
病生于筋,治之以熨引;形乐志乐,病生于肉,治之以针石;形苦志苦,病生于咽膈,治之
以甘药;形数惊恐,经脉不通,病生于不仁,治之以按摩醪药,是谓形志为病。又有人之五
劳,久视伤血,久卧伤气,久坐伤肉,久立伤骨,久行伤筋,此五久劳所病也,治当随经而
取之。且如前人甄权刺肩井曲池,臂痛而复射。华佗刺悬钟环跳, 足而立行。秋夫刺腰俞
而鬼免沉沦。王纂针交俞而妖精立出。徐文伯泻死胎,补手阳明合谷,泻足三阴交,应针而
殒。因前人仁术之妙,载清名而不朽,今已去圣逾远,此道罕明。后之学人,当究古人之心
,施以惠生之术,明经络,识虚实,行子午之术。且如左有病,右畔取,非交经缪刺,用进
气之法,使针之气,安能到于病所?若不明经络,妄以误针,其祸岂小小哉!今将前人立法,
各经治病之穴,并用针之法,《针经》备载其详,所有缺略者,开列于后。
The *Zhen Jing* (Classic of Acupuncture) states: To cure diseases, there is nothing better than the use of acupuncture. Skillfully manipulating the divine mechanism (*Shenji*), one can penetrate the profound principles of the sages. Externally utilizing bian stones and needles can dispel pathogenic factors (*Xie*) and support healthy qi (*Zhengqi*); internally containing the properties of water and fire, they are adept at restoring yang energy to reverse yin syndromes. It further states: Observing the methods of the Nine Needles, the filiform needle (*Haoren*) is the most minute. Yet, this one-cun six-fen needle contains exquisite medical theories; although as fine as a hair, it penetrates various complexities, capable of balancing cold and heat in the Five Zang Organs and regulating deficiency and excess in the Six Fu Organs. Thus, Qibo divided the needles into nine types. The Nine Needles represent the great numbers of Heaven and Earth, starting from one and ending at nine. Therefore, the first needle corresponds to Heaven, the second to Earth, the third to Humanity, the fourth to the Four Seasons, the fifth to the Five Tones, the sixth to the Six Pitch-pipes, the seventh to the Seven Stars, the eighth to the Eight Winds, and the ninth to the Nine Provinces. The *Su Wen* says: Corresponding the needle to the Nine Provinces, nine times nine equals eighty-one, thereby establishing the number of the Huangzhong pitch-pipe. Corresponding the needle to numerical theory: One is Heaven; Heaven is Yang, corresponding to the Five Zang Organs, specifically the Lung. The Lung is the canopy of the five zang organs, and the skin is its exterior correspondence, belonging to the Yang aspect of the human body. Therefore, when treating these areas, the needle head must be large and the tip sharp, allowing pathogenic factors to enter deeply while healthy yang energy exits. Two is Earth; the part of the human body corresponding to Earth is muscle. Therefore, when treating muscles, the needle body must be cylindrical with a blunt tip to avoid damaging the muscle tissue; injury to the muscle leads to exhaustion of healthy qi. Three is Humanity; the basis of human life generation is blood vessels. Therefore, when treating vessels, the needle body should be large with a blunt tip, allowing for pulse palpation without sinking too deep to obstruct qi flow, so that pathogenic factors may exit alone. Four is Time; time refers to the eight winds of the four seasons invading the meridians, causing chronic diseases. Therefore, when treating such conditions, the needle body should be cylindrical with a sharp tip, enabling the discharge of heat and blood to exhaust chronic diseases. Five is Tone; this refers to the division between winter and summer, distinguished at the Zi and Wu hours, where Yin and Yang differ, and Cold and Heat contend. When these two energies clash, they form abscesses and pus. Therefore, when treating this, the needle tip should resemble a sword edge, suitable for treating large abscesses. Six is Pitch-pipe; pitch-pipes regulate Yin and Yang and the four seasons, coordinating with the Twelve Meridians. When deficient pathogens invade the meridians causing acute bi-syndrome, the needle tip should resemble an awl—both round and sharp, with a slightly larger middle section—to drain acute pathogenic qi. Seven is Star; stars correspond to the seven orifices of the human body. When pathogens lodge in the meridians causing painful bi-syndrome, the needle tip should resemble the proboscis of a mosquito or horsefly. The operation should be quiet and slow, remaining inserted for a longer duration; leveraging healthy qi, both true qi and pathogens move together, and upon withdrawal, nourishment is provided. Eight is Wind; wind corresponds to the eight joints of the limbs. Deficient winds from the eight directions harm humans, lodging internally in bone gaps, waist, spine, and interstices, causing deep bi-syndrome. Therefore, when treating this, the needle should have a long body and sharp tip to extract deep pathogens and distant bi-syndrome. Nine is Province; provinces correspond to the spaces between joints and the skin. When excessive pathogens overflow throughout the body, resembling wind-water edema, they flow into the major joints. Qibo also stated: Regarding the lengths of the Nine Needles: First is the Chan needle (*Chan Zhen*), one cun six fen long, primarily treating heat in the head and body. Second is the Yuan needle (*Yuan Zhen*), with a tip length of one cun six fen, primarily treating stagnant qi between muscles. Third is the Di needle (*Di Zhen*), three cun half long, primarily used for pressing on pulses to draw out qi and expel pathogens. Fourth is the Feng needle (*Feng Zhen*), with a sharp body and tip length of one cun six fen, primarily treating abscess heat and bleeding. Fifth is the Pi needle (*Pi Zhen*), three-and-a-half fen wide and four cun long, primarily treating large abscesses and pus formed by clashing heat; for cases of clashing heat, a length of one cun six fen is used to treat abscess bi-syndrome. Seventh is the Haoren needle (*Filiform Needle*), modeled after hair, one cun six fen long, primarily treating cold, heat, pain, and bi-syndrome in the collaterals. Eighth is the Chang needle (*Long Needle*), seven cun long, primarily treating deep pathogens and distant bi-syndrome. Ninth is the Da needle (*Large Needle*), slightly rounded, four cun long, primarily extracting stagnant qi trapped in the joints. Qibo also stated: The body shapes correspond to the Nine Provinces: the left foot corresponds to Lichun (Start of Spring), the left hypochondrium to Chunfen (Spring Equinox), the left hand to Lixia (Start of Summer), the chest, throat, head, and face to Xiazhi (Summer Solstice), the right hand to Qiuxiu (Start of Autumn), the right hypochondrium to Qiufen (Autumn Equinox), the right foot to Lidong (Start of Winter), the lower back, buttocks, and lower orifices to Dongzhi (Winter Solstice), and the six fu organs below the diaphragm and the Sanjiao correspond to the Central Region. In all corresponding areas, one must not violate taboos. The *Ling Shu* states: If the body is comfortable but the mind is distressed, disease arises in the vessels; treat with moxibustion and acupuncture. If the body is laborious but the mind is joyful, disease arises in the sinews; treat with hot compresses and Dao Yin (guiding and pulling exercises). If both body and mind are comfortable, disease arises in the flesh; treat with needles and stones. If both body and mind are laborious/distressed, disease arises in the pharynx and diaphragm; treat with sweet herbs. If one frequently experiences fear and fright, meridians become blocked, and disease manifests as anesthesia/numbness; treat with massage and medicinal wine. This is referred to as disease arising from the condition of form and spirit. Furthermore, there are five types of chronic strain in humans: prolonged viewing damages blood, prolonged lying down damages qi, prolonged sitting damages flesh, prolonged standing damages bones, and prolonged walking damages sinews. These are diseases caused by five types of long-term strain; treatment should involve selecting acupoints according to the meridians. For instance, the predecessor Zhen Qian needled Jianjing (*GB21*) and Quchi (*LI11*), relieving arm pain instantly. Hua Tuo needled Xuanzhong (*GB39*) and Huantiao (*GB30*), allowing patients to stand and walk. Qiu Fu needled Yaoshu (*BL23*), freeing ghosts from their hold. Wang Zuan needled Jiaoshu (*BL84*), making spirits vanish immediately. Xu Wenbo drained a dead fetus by tonifying Hegu (*LI4*, Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming) and reducing Sanyinjiao (*SP6*, Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin), resulting in expulsion upon needling. Due to the miraculous benevolent arts of predecessors, their clear names remain immortal. However, now that we are far removed from the sages, this path is rarely understood. Future learners must investigate the minds of the ancients, apply techniques that benefit life, clarify the meridians, identify deficiency and excess, and practice the Zi-Wu flow method. For example, if there is disease on the left, one takes points on the right; unless using cross-meridian Miao needling (*Jiao Jing Miao Ci*) and advancing qi techniques, how can the needle's qi reach the diseased area? If one does not understand the meridians and recklessly uses incorrect needling, what disaster could be smaller! Now, regarding the legislation of predecessors, the acupoints for treating diseases in each meridian, and the methods of using needles, the *Zhen Jing* records them in detail. All omissions are listed below.