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Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues) states: Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) and Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) link and connect the body. If Qi and Blood overflow and accumulate without circulating in a ring, they cannot irrigate the twelve regular meridians. Therefore, Yang Wei Mai originates from the convergence of all Yang meridians, and Yin Wei Mai originates from the intersection of all Yin meridians. Yang Wei Mai links the Yang meridians, and Yin Wei Mai links the Yin meridians. If Yin and Yang cannot mutually link each other, one feels despondent and lost, with a flaccid weakness unable to control oneself. (Rongrong describes a slow, weak appearance.)

It is also said: When Yang Wei Mai is diseased, the patient suffers from aversion to cold and fever; when Yin Wei Mai is diseased, the patient suffers from heart pain.

Zhang Jiegu states: Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) belongs to Yang and governs the exterior. When Yang Wei Mai is affected by pathogens, the disease is at the exterior, hence suffering from aversion to cold and fever. Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) belongs to Yin and governs the interior. When Yin Wei Mai is affected by pathogens, the disease is at the interior, hence suffering from heart pain. When Yin and Yang mutually link, Ying and Wei harmonize; when Ying and Wei do not harmonize, one becomes despondent and unable to control oneself. How do we know this? Zhang Zhongjing says: When a patient frequently sweats spontaneously, it indicates that Wei Qi does not harmonize with Ying Qi; Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) should be used to harmonize them. It is also said: If after taking Gui Zhi Tang, vexation persists and is not resolved, first puncture Feng Chi GB20 (Wind Pool) and Feng Fu GV16 (Wind Mansion), then administer Gui Zhi Tang again. These two acupoints are intersections of Yang Wei Mai. This means that if spontaneous sweating, fever, and aversion to cold persist after taking Gui Zhi Tang, and the pulse is floating at Cun (inch) and weak at Chi (cubit) accompanied by vexation, the disease lies in Yang Wei Mai, so these two acupoints should be punctured first. Zhang Zhongjing further says: When there are no internal organ diseases but fever and spontaneous sweating persist without improvement, this is due to disharmony of Wei Qi, and Gui Zhi Tang is the primary treatment.

It is also said: When Yin Wei Mai is diseased, the patient suffers from heart pain. Treatment should target the intersection of the three Yin meridians. For Tai Yin syndrome, Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) is used; for Shao Yin syndrome, Si Ni Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) is used; for Jue Yin syndrome, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (Angelica Decocture for Reversing Cold Hands and Feet) and Wu Zhu Yu Tang (Evodia Decoction) are used.

Li Binhu (Li Shizhen) states: Yang Wei Mai links with the three Yang meridians of the hand and foot, among which Tai Yang Bladder Meridian and Shao Gallbladder Meridian are continuously connected from beginning to end. The syndrome of aversion to cold and fever occurs only in these two meridians, so Yang Wei Mai disease also manifests as aversion to cold and fever. Generally, Wei Qi travels through the Yang aspects during the day and the Yin aspects at night. Yin deficiency generates internal heat, while Yang deficiency generates external cold. When pathogens are in the meridians, fighting internally with Yin causes aversion to cold, and fighting externally with Yang causes fever. Thus, for aversion to cold and fever at the exterior accompanied by Tai Yang symptoms, if there is sweating, Gui Zhi Tang should be used; if there is no sweating, Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) should be used. For aversion to cold and fever at half-exterior half-interior accompanied by Shao Yang symptoms, Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) modified should be used. If Ying and Wei are deficient and the patient suffers from aversion to cold and fever, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction to Establish the Middle) or Ba Wu Tang (Eight Substance Decoction) should be used. Zhang Jiegu exclusively attributed the Gui Zhi Tang syndrome to Yang Wei Mai, which seems incomplete. Regarding Yin Wei Mai disease primarily causing heart pain, Zhang Jiegu exclusively used warming medicines for the three Yin meridians, which is suitable for cold invading the two Yin meridians, but insufficient for pain caused by heat reversal in the three Yin meridians. Although Yin Wei Mai intersects with the three Yin meridians, it actually returns with Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). Therefore, heart pain mostly belongs to the upward rushing of Qi from Shao Yin, Jue Yin, and Ren Mai. Sudden pain without heat, chronic pain without cold, and pain relieved by pressure indicate deficiency; pain intolerable to touch indicates excess. For cold pain combined with Shao Yin and Ren Mai, Si Ni Tang is used; combined with Jue Yin, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang is used; combined with Tai Yin, Li Zhong Tang is used. For heat pain combined with Shao Yin and Ren Mai, Jin Ling San (Golden Bell Powder) and Yan Hu Suo San (Corydalis Powder) are used; combined with Jue Yin, Shi Xiao San (Sorrow-Dispelling Powder) is used; combined with Tai Yin, Cheng Qi Tang (Descending Qi Decoction) is used. If Ying and Blood are internally injured, combined with Ren Mai, Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and Hand Jue Yin Pericardium Meridian, Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction), Yang Ying Tang (Nourish Ying Decoction), or Miao Xiang San (Wonderful Fragrance Powder) should be used. Prescribing medicine according to the disease, such management would likely avoid errors in treating Yin-Yang and deficiency-excess.

Wang Shuhe's Mai Jing (Pulse Classic) states: At the Cun Kou (Inkouse) pulse position, if the pulse slants from Shao Yin towards Tai Yang, it is Yang Wei Mai. Palpation reveals suffering from muscle bi-syndrome with itching, skin pain, numbness in the lower part, sweating with cold; also suffering from epilepsy with falling and bleating like a sheep, convulsion of hands and feet, and in severe cases, aphonia. Ke Chu Ren ST7 (Guest Commander) should be selected. (Located above the upper border of the bone rising before the ear, with a gap when opening the mouth. It is the intersection of Foot-Shao Yang and Foot-Yang Ming meridians.)

It also states: At the Cun Kou pulse position, if the pulse slants from Shao Yang towards Jue Yin, it is Yin Wei Mai. Palpation reveals suffering from epilepsy with stiff falling and bleating like a sheep, stiff falling with aphonia, muscle bi-syndrome with itching, spontaneous sweating at times, aversion to wind, and a shivering sensation over the body. Select Yang Bai GB14 (Yang White), Jin Men BL63 (Gold Gate), and Pu Shen BL60 (Servant Participate).

Li Binhu states: Wang Shuhe attributes epilepsy to Yin Wei and Yang Wei, while Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) attributes epilepsy to Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao. The theories differ but the purport is the same. Yang Qiao Mai starts from the outer malleolus, ascends along the Yang aspect to the shoulder and elbow, passes through the ear and forehead, and ends at the convergence of Wei Qi and all Yang meridians. Yin Qiao Mai starts from the inner malleolus, ascends along the Yin aspect to the hypochondrium and throat, and runs at the intersection of Ying Qi and all Yin meridians. Yang Qiao Mai originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the outer malleolus to the lateral thigh, reaches the hypochondrium, ribs, and shoulder blade, runs on both sides of the body, and ends at the inner canthus of the eye. Yin Qiao Mai originates in the middle of the heel, ascends along the inner malleolus to the medial thigh and genitalia, runs on both sides of the body, reaches the throat, meets Ren Mai, and ends at the inner canthus of the eye. Pathogens in Yin Wei and Yin Qiao cause Dian syndrome (epilepsy with quietness); pathogens in Yang Wei and Yang Qiao cause Xian syndrome (epilepsy with movement). Xian is active and belongs to Yang, governed by Yang meridians. Dian is quiet and belongs to Yin, governed by Yin meridians. Generally, these two diseases should be treated by selecting acupoints from these four vessels, distinguishing their Yin and Yang.

Wang Shuhe states: Diagnosing a floating Yang Wei Mai indicates temporary dizziness upon standing up. In cases of excessive Yang excess, the patient suffers from shoulder breathing (labored respiration involving shoulders) and a chilly sensation as if cold.

Diagnosing a deep, large, and solid Yin Wei Mai indicates suffering from chest pain, fullness and distension under the hypochondrium, and heart pain. If the pulse resembles beads strung together, men suffer from fullness in the bilateral hypochondrium and waist pain; women suffer from pain in the vagina, resembling an ulcer.

Su Wen (Basic Questions) - Treatise on Lower Back Pain states: Disease of Yang Wei Mai causes lower back pain with swelling at the painful site. Puncture the junction where Yang Wei Mai combines with Tai Yang, one chi above the ground.

Wang Qixuan states: Yang Wei Mai originates from Yang, generated by Tai Yang, running parallel upwards to the nape, and downwards combining again with Tai Yang to ascend. One chi above the ground corresponds to Cheng Shan BL57 (Support Mountain). Located below the gastrocnemius muscle, in the depression between the muscle bellies, it can be needled seven fen deep.

The Rou Li (Muscle Interior) vessel causes lower back pain, making coughing impossible. Coughing causes tendon contraction and urgency. Puncture the Rou Li vessel in two locations, outside Tai Yang and behind Jue Gu (Absence of Bone) of Shao Yang.

Wang Qixuan states: The Rou Li vessel is generated by Shao Yang and is where Yang Wei Mai Qi emerges. Behind Jue Gu is the point where Yang Wei Mai passes through the muscle compartment. Located two fen posterior to the end of Jue Gu directly above the lateral malleolus, in the intermuscular space, it can be needled five fen deep.

Fei Yang (Flying Yang) vessel causes lower back pain, with a dull discomfort, progressing to sorrow and fear in severe cases.

Qixuan states: This is Yin Wei Mai, located five cun and half-cun above the medial malleolus, ascending along with Shao Yin Meridian. To puncture Fei Yang, locate one cun above the medial malleolus, anterior to Shao Yin, at the intersection with Yin Wei Mai, which is Zhu Bin KI9 (Building Guest). Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) states that the Luo-connecting vessel of Tai Yang diverging to Shao Yin is named Fei Yang.