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Qin Yue-ren stated in the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues): The Yin collateral is the collateral of the Yin Qiao vessel; the Yang collateral is the collateral of the Yang Qiao vessel. When the Yin Qiao vessel is diseased, the exterior is relaxed and the interior is tense; when the Yang Qiao vessel is diseased, the interior is relaxed and the exterior is tense.

Wang Shu-he stated in the *Mai Jing* (Pulse Classic): If the Yin Qiao vessel is tense, there should be tension above the medial malleolus and relaxation above the lateral malleolus; if the Yang Qiao vessel is tense, there should be tension above the lateral malleolus and relaxation above the medial malleolus.

It also states: At the Cun Kou pulse position, pulsation on the anterior part to the left and right indicates the Yang Qiao vessel. Pathology involves pain in the waist and back; if accompanied by spasms (Chi), it manifests as epilepsy, sudden collapse, bleating like a sheep, aversion to wind, hemiplegia (Ban Bi), Bi syndrome, and body stiffness.

It also states: A faint and choppy pulse indicates Wind Epilepsy. Treatment should target the Yang Qiao vessel at the point located three cun above the lateral malleolus, directly opposite the Jue Gu point, which is Fu Yang (GB19).

It also states: At the Cun Kou pulse position, pulsation on the posterior part to the left and right indicates the Yin Qiao vessel. Pathology involves epilepsy, alternating chills and fever, skin numbness from Yin Bi syndrome, lower abdominal pain, tenesmus, pain connecting the waist and below the hip, genital pain, male Yin Hernia, and continuous uterine bleeding in females. (Note: Kui refers to the femur bone; , refers to a point below the waist.)

It also states: During epileptic convulsions, where the patient is unaware of their suffering, the two Qiao vessels are involved; for males, it relates to Yang, and for females, to Yin.

Zhang Jie-gu stated: Qiao means agility or speed. These two vessels originate from the feet, enabling agile movement. The Yang Qiao vessel lies above the muscles, following the path of Yang meridians, penetrating the Six Fu organs, and governing the Exterior, thus named the Collateral of Yang Qiao; the Yin Qiao vessel lies below the muscles, following the path of Yin meridians, penetrating the Five Zang organs, and governing the Interior, thus named the Collateral of Yin Qiao. When the Yin Qiao vessel is diseased, Yin tension leads to Yin Jue (cold reversal) and straightening of the shins, with blockage of the five collaterals, manifesting as harmonious exterior but diseased interior; when the Yang Qiao vessel is diseased, Yang tension leads to manic running and inability to close the eyes, manifesting as severe exterior disease but harmonious interior. Yin pathology causes heat, treatable by moxibustion on Zhao Hai (KI6) and Yang Ling Quan (GB34) (located one cun below the knee, in the depression on the lateral aspect of the fibular head, the He-Sea point of Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, indicated for tendon disorders); Yang pathology causes cold, treatable by needling Feng Chi (GB20) and Feng Fu (DU16). (Feng Fu is located one cun above the hairline at the nape, within the depression between the large tendons, belonging to the Du Mai, and is the meeting point of Taiyang and Yang Wei vessels.)

It also states: For pathogens in the Yang/Exterior, sweating method should be used; for pathogens in the Yin/Interior, purgative method should be used. It also states: For epilepsy occurring during the day, moxa the Yang Qiao; for epilepsy occurring at night, moxa the Yin Qiao.

The *Su Wen: Yao Tong Lun* (Discourse on Lower Back Pain) states: For lower back pain preventing lifting, needle Shen Mai (BL62) and Pu Can (BL63). (These are Taiyang points and the root of the Yang Qiao vessel.) It also states: Disease of the Hui Yin vessel causes lower back pain, with profuse sweating at the painful area; after sweat dries, thirst arises, and drinking leads to restlessness. Needle the upper part of the Zhi Yang vessel three cun above. At the horizontal location five cun above and below the Qiao vessel, observe for full blood collaterals and bleed them.

Wang Qi-xuan stated: The Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian follows down the waist and meets at the posterior yin, hence called Hui Yin. The Zhi Yang vessel runs alongside the spine downwards, through the buttocks to [missing character], follows [missing character], passes behind the lateral malleolus, and moves straight, hence called Zhi Yang. [Missing character] Qiao is generated by the Yang Qiao vessel, specifically Shen Mai (BL62). Between [missing character] Qiao up and down lies Cheng Jin (BL57), which is the depression in the center of [missing character]. This area is where Taiyang meridian qi emerges; needling is prohibited. Only observe if there are full blood collaterals in the center of the two [missing characters]; if so, bleed them.

It also states: Disease of the Chang Yang vessel causes lower back pain radiating to the chest, blurred vision, severe opisthotonos, and tongue retraction with inability to speak. Needle Neijin (Jiaoxin KI8) three times, located above the medial malleolus, anterior to the large tendon, posterior to the Taiyin meridian, about two cun above the ankle.

Wang Qi-xuan stated: The Yin Qiao vessel originates behind Ran Gu (KI2), ascends above the medial malleolus, follows the medial thigh into the yin region, then follows the abdomen into the chest, enters the Que Pen area, ascends anterior to Ren Ying (LI18), enters the inner canthus, meets the Taiyang and Yang Qiao vessels, and ascends. Hence the symptoms occur as described. Neijin refers to the collateral of the Yin Qiao vessel, Jiaoxin (KI8).

The *Su Wen: Miao Ci Lun* (Discourse on Acupuncture at Strange Points) states: When pathogenic factors invade the Foot Yang Qiao vessel, eye pain occurs starting from the inner canthus. Needle one point on each side half an cun below the lateral malleolus (i.e., Shen Mai BL62). Treat the left side for right-sided disease, and the right side for left-sided disease, effective within the time it takes a person to walk ten li.

The *Ling Shu Jing* states: Red and painful eyes starting from the inner canthus should be treated by taking the Yin Qiao vessel (Jiaoxin KI8).

It also states: For wind-induced spasm and opisthotonos, first bleed the Foot Taiyang meridian, Wei Zhong (BL40), and blood collaterals. If there is cold pathogen inside, take the Yin Qiao vessel and San Mao (Dadun LR1) and bleed the blood collaterals.

Li Bin-hu stated: Jing Gu (BL64) of the Foot Taiyang meridian is located below the large bone behind the base of the little toe on the lateral side of the foot, in the depression at the junction of red and white flesh. Needle 3 fen, moxa 7 moxibustion units. [Missing character] Zhong refers to Wei Zhong (BL40), located in the transverse crease behind the bent knee. Needle 3 fen. For Yin Qiao, take Jiaoxin (KI8), as mentioned previously. San Mao refers to Da Dun (LR1), located among the pubic hair on the lateral side of the big toe, the Jing-Well point of the Liver Meridian. Needle 3 fen, moxa 3 moxibustion units. Blood collaterals refer to observing areas where collaterals are full and bleeding them.

It also states: Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao intersect; Yang enters Yin, Yin exits Yang, meeting at the outer canthus. When Yang qi is abundant, the eyes open; when Yin qi is abundant, the eyes close. For Heat Jue, take the Foot Taiyang and Foot Shaoyang meridians.

The *Jia Yi Jing* states: When a patient suffers from closed eyes unable to see, it is because Wei Qi remains in the Yin and cannot circulate in the Yang. Remaining in Yin makes Yin qi abundant; abundant Yin qi fills the Yin Qiao vessel. Inability to enter Yang makes Yang qi deficient, hence the eyes remain closed.

When a patient suffers from inability to close the eyes (insomnia), it is because Wei Qi cannot enter Yin and often remains in Yang. Remaining in Yang makes Yang qi abundant; abundant Yang qi fills the Yang Qiao vessel. Inability to enter Yin makes Yin qi deficient, hence the eyes remain open.

The *Ling Shu* states: When grains enter the stomach, their dregs, fluids, and Zong Qi form three channels. Thus, Zong Qi accumulates in the chest, exits through the throat, penetrates the Heart and Lungs, and governs respiration. Ying Qi secretes its fluids, injects them into the vessels, transforms into blood, nourishes the four extremities, and internally injects into the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, corresponding to the water clock's measure. Wei Qi, derived from its fierce and rapid energy, moves swiftly ahead in the four extremities, interstices of muscles, and skin, without resting. By day, it travels in Yang; by night, it travels in Yin, usually passing through the interstices of Foot Shaoyin, circulating through the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Now, if Jue Qi invades the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, Wei Qi alone guards the exterior, traveling in Yang and unable to enter Yin. Traveling in Yang makes Yang qi abundant; abundant Yang qi leads to Yang Qiao vessel depression (or imbalance); inability to enter Yin makes Yin qi deficient, hence insomnia. Treatment should tonify deficiency, reduce excess, unblock the pathways, and eliminate pathogens. Drink one dose of Ban Xia Tang. Once Yin and Yang are connected, sleep will follow immediately. The prescription uses eight sheng of flowing water from a thousand li away, stirred ten thousand times, taking five sheng of clear water to boil. Cook using reed fire. When boiling, add one sheng of Shu Mi (Sorghum) and five he of processed Ban Xia (Pinellia). Simmer slowly until reduced to one and a half sheng. Remove dregs. Drink a small cup of juice, three times a day, gradually increasing dosage until efficacy is known. For newly onset cases, sleep comes upon putting down the cup; sweating indicates cure. For chronic cases, three doses suffice.

Li Bin-hu stated: The *Ling Shu* says: The sinews of Foot Taiyang serve as the upper eyelid frame; the sinews of Foot Yangming serve as the lower eyelid frame. Cold causes sinew tension and inability to close eyes; heat causes sinew flaccidity and inability to open eyes.

It also states: In robust individuals, blood and qi are abundant, muscles are smooth, Ying and Wei maintain normal routines, hence energetic by day and sleeping soundly by night. In the elderly, blood and qi decline, meridians become obstructed, Wei Qi attacks inwardly, hence not energetic by day and unable to sleep by night. It also states: Those who sleep excessively have large intestines/stomach and dry skin, with unresolved interstices, causing slow circulation of Wei Qi. Zhang Zi-he stated: Excessive thinking leads to insomnia or hypersomnia.

Chao Yuan-fang stated: Spleen disease causes fatigue and hypersomnia; Gallbladder disease causes irritability and insomnia. Wang Shu-he's *Mai Jing* states: Water flows faster and noisier at night because Earth rests; humans correspond to this. When humans lie down at night, the Spleen does not move vigorously, and the pulse becomes rapid.

Another view states: The sign of the Spleen is in the eyelids; eyelid twitching indicates Spleen digestion function. Spleen disease causes eyelid heaviness and hypersomnia. All these theories discuss eye closure and insomnia. Although they do not explicitly mention the two Qiao vessels, they are fundamentally rooted in the principles of Yin-Yang, Ying-Wei, and Deficiency-Excess. They can be cross-referenced.