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The *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot) states: When needling various heat syndromes, the technique should be swift, like a hand dipping into hot water (1). When needling cold syndromes, the technique should be slow, like a person unwilling to walk (1). This refers to the two techniques of "Tou Tian Liang" (Penetrating Heaven Coolness) and "Shao Shan Huo" (Burning Mountain Fire) used for subsequent conditions.

Acupuncture masters' oral transmission says: Lifting the needle generates heat; inserting the needle generates cold. Rotating inward is reducing method; rotating outward is tonifying method. For tonification and reduction, one may pause the needle to await Qi arrival and rotate slowly. However, lifting and inserting methods cannot be used exclusively. Because if one inserts fully until the bone, insertion cannot continue; if one lifts fully until the needle exits the body completely, lifting cannot continue. Therefore, it is prescribed as "three lifts and one insertion." Lifting while exhaling, inserting while inhaling constitutes "Shao Shan Huo" (Burning Mountain Fire). Since many lifts cause Qi in the Wei (Defensive) level to surge, leading to symptoms of shivering and aversion to cold, this technique is applied using even numbers on Yang days and odd numbers on Yin days, which will inevitably induce heat generation. Conversely, "three insertions and one lift," inserting while inhaling and lifting while exhaling, constitutes "Tou Tian Liang" (Penetrating Heaven Coolness). Since many insertions cause Qi in the Ying (Nutritive) level to enter, leading to symptoms of steaming heat, this technique is applied using odd numbers on Yang days and even numbers on Yin days, which will inevitably reduce fever. Besides dispelling cold and reducing heat, these are essential techniques for acupuncturists. Thus, in the *Ling Shu*, they are listed at the end of the first chapter "Nine Needles and Twelve Source Points," equivalent to being placed at the beginning of the "Ben Shu" (Principal Acupoints) chapter.

The orthodox method for Shao Shan Huo and Tou Tian Liang mentioned above applies to men before noon and women after noon. If a man presents with severe cold or severe heat syndromes in the afternoon requiring Shao Shan Huo or Tou Tian Liang, the application should be reversed. Similarly, if a woman presents with severe cold or severe heat syndromes in the morning requiring these techniques, the application should also be reversed.

A rhyme states: Three insertions and one lift cool the heavens; three lifts and one insertion burn the mountain. Lift while blowing air, insert while inhaling; women after noon, men before noon.

The Five Movements have excess and deficiency; the Five Qi shift, having both constancy and variation. Sudden movement is called variation; adapting to the four seasons, the recurrence of Yin and Yang, and the alternation of cold and heat is called constancy. Selecting acupoints according to time aligns with the constant movements of Qi, but cannot adapt to sudden changes. The *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon), Chapter "Qi Jiao Bian Da Lun" (Great Treatise on Changes in the Intersection of Qi), states: "Respond to constancy, not to suddenness." This is what is meant. Therefore, in the "Ci Fa Lun" (Chapter on Needling Methods), the ascending and descending techniques intended to disperse stagnation and ascend Qi must wait for the appropriate time. However, to suppress excessive Qi and dissipate stagnation by descending Qi, there is no need to wait for time. The analysis follows below.

Methods for Ascending the Qi of the Five Zang Organs:
When the Qi of Liver Wood is stagnant and fails to ascend, needle the Jing-Well point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (Dadun, LR1). It opens at You hour on Yi and Geng days.
When the Qi of Heart Fire is stagnant and fails to ascend, needle the Ying-Spring point of the Pericardium (Laogong, PC8). It opens at Wei hour on Bing and Xin days.
When the Qi of Spleen Earth is stagnant and fails to ascend, needle the Shu-Stream point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Taibai, SP3). It opens at Chou hour on Bing and Xin days; You hour on Ji day has passed.
When the Qi of Lung Metal is stagnant and fails to ascend, needle the Jing-River point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (Jingqu, LU8). It opens at Mao hour on Bing and Xin days.
When the Qi of Kidney Water is stagnant and fails to ascend, needle the He-Sea point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Yingu, KI10). It opens at Si hour on Bing and Xin days.

The above describes the orthodox example of ascending point selection, which requires waiting for time. To make Qi ascend, use the thumbnail of the right hand to scrape the needle handle, and use fingers of the left hand to guide along the meridian, causing Qi to ascend. Subsequently apply tonification method, or more tonification less reduction method.

Methods for Descending the Qi of the Five Zang Organs:
When the Qi of Liver Wood desires to descend but cannot, suppress its conquering organ. Needle the Jing-Well point of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shaoshang, LU11) and the He-Sea point of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Quchi, LI11).
When the Qi of Heart Fire desires to descend but cannot, suppress its conquering organ. Needle the Jing-Well point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Yongquan, KI1) and the He-Sea point of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Weizhong, BL40).
When the Qi of Spleen Earth desires to descend but cannot, suppress its conquering organ. Needle the Jing-Well point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (Dadun, LR1) and the He-Sea point of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Yanglingquan, GB34).
When the Qi of Lung Metal desires to descend but cannot, suppress its conquering organ. Needle the Jing-Well point of the Pericardium (Zhongchong, PC9) and the He-Sea point of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Tianjing, TE10).
When the Qi of Kidney Water desires to descend but cannot, suppress the Earth organ. Needle the Jing-Well point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Yinbai, SP1) and the He-Sea point of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Xialing Sanli, i.e., Zusanli, ST36).

The above describes the orthodox example of descending point selection, which does not require waiting for time. To make Qi descend, use the thumbnail of the right hand to scrape downward on the needle handle, causing Qi to descend. Apply pure reduction method. If the disease is in the Six Fu Organs and pathogenic factors are excessive, when the He-Sea point of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian should be taken, substitute it with the Luo-Connecting point Weiyang (BL38) of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian. When the He-Sea point of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian should be taken, substitute it with Shangjuxu (ST37) of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. When the He-Sea point of the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian should be taken, substitute it with Xiajuxu (ST39) of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. This follows the orthodox example from the *Ling Shu* Chapter "Ben Shu": Large Intestine combines with Shangjuxu, Small Intestine combines with Xiajuxu, the lower Shu of Sanjiao emerges from Zhongwailian, named Weiyang. Yin diseases with Yang pathogens, excess patterns use reduction.