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If one can understand the principles of Ying (meeting/opposing) and Sui (following), one can regulate the Qi. The method for regulating Qi must distinguish between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang refer to knowing the circulation direction and sequence of Ying (Nutrient) and Wei (Defensive) Qi, as well as the beginning and end pathways of the meridians.

When using acupuncture, inserting the needle in the direction of the meridian's flow constitutes the Tonification (Bu) method; inserting it against the flow to drain pathogenic factors constitutes the Sedation (Xie) method. Therefore, opposing the flow to drain Qi inevitably leads to Deficiency; following the flow to gather Qi inevitably leads to Excess. This is called the method of Ying-Sui Tonification and Sedation.

The Classics state: Qi originates from the Middle Jiao, enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung and Hand-Yangming Large Intestine meridians, then flows into the Foot-Yangming Stomach and Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridians; the Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridian flows into the Hand-Shaoyin Heart and Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine meridians; the Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine meridian flows into the Foot-Taiyang Bladder and Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridians; the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian flows into the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium and Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao meridians; the Hand-Shaoyang Sanjiao meridian flows into the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder and Foot-Jueyin Liver meridians; the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian returns to flow into the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian. Like a ring without end, it circulates continuously, day and night, in accordance with the celestial movements. This principle applies to the Ying-Sui Tonification and Sedation methods within the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea acupoints of any single meridian, also adhering to the principle of "East is Excess and West is Deficient, draining the South and tonifying the North."

In Spring, the vital spirit resides in the left hypochondrium; in Autumn, in the right hypochondrium; in Summer, at the umbilicus; in Winter, at the waist.

[Song regarding the location of the Vital Spirit in the Twelve Earthly Branches]:
1. Zi day: Big toe and little toe.
2. Chou day: Outer ankle hairline and middle of outer ankle.
3. Yin day: Thighs, teeth, liver, and feet.
4. Mao day: Waist, epigastrium, and Hand-Yangming meridian.
5. Chen day: Mouth and whole body, returning to the hands.
6. Si day: Between fingers and chest.
7. Wu day: Ankles, Qichong acupoint, and knees.
8. Wei day: Epigastrium, inner thighs, and yin region.
9. Shen day: Sacrum, lower leg shins, and knee meridians.
10. You day: Waist, back, and dorsum of foot.
11. Xu day: Throat.
12. Hai day: Back, neck, and both knees.

[Sun Shi's Additional Notes]:
Zi day (Sun Shi says: shoulders and mouth). Chou day (ears and waist). Yin day (chest, or said to be mouth). Mao day (spleen, Sun Shi says: nose). Chen day (waist). Si day (head and mouth, Sun Shi says: hands). Wu day (heart and abdomen). Wei day (soles of both feet, Sun Shi says: feet). Shen day (shoulders and forehead, or said to be head and waist). You day (shins, Sun Shi says: back). Xu day (throat, Sun Shi says: head, alternatively nape). Hai day (back, neck, and both knees, Sun Shi says: nape).

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Jia and Yi days (avoid Yin hour; do not moxa the head). Bing and Ding days (avoid Chen hour; do not moxa the ears). Wu and Ji days (avoid Wu hour; do not moxa the vertex of the head, or alternatively, do not moxa the patella). Ren and Gui days (avoid You hour; do not moxa the feet).

[Another Method of Taboo]:
The 6th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 24th days of each lunar month, the last day of a short month, and the Ganzhi days such as Jia-Chen, Geng-Yin, Yi-Mao, Bing-Chen, Xin-Si. Also the five Chen hours, five You hours, five Wei hours, and the eight solar terms' preceding and following days are all considered inauspicious and should not undergo moxibustion.

[Another Method of Taboo]:
1st Month: Chou position. 2nd Month: Xu position. 3rd Month: Wei position. 4th Month: Chen position. 5th Month: Chou position. 6th Month: Xu position. 7th Month: Wei position. 8th Month: Chen position. 9th Month: Chou position. 10th Month: Xu position. 11th Month: Wei position. 12th Month: Chen position.

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Men avoid: Ren-Chen, Jia-Chen, Ji-Si, Bing-Wu, Ding-Wei days.
Women avoid: Jia-Yin, Yi-Mao, Yi-You, Yi-Si, Ding-Si days.

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Men avoid Xu days (or said to avoid Yin days). Women avoid Si days (Sun Shi says avoid Si days, or said to avoid Po days).

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Bing-Zi day: Emperor's Assembly. Ren-Zi day: Hundred Kings' Assembly. Jia-Zi day: Crown Prince's Assembly. Ding-Chou day: Three Dukes' Assembly. Bing-Chen day: Feudal Lords' Assembly. Xin-Mao day: Ministers' Assembly. Gui-Mao day: Subjects' Assembly. Yi-Hai day: General Assembly of all above.

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Individuals with Wood destiny whose annual luck falls on Wood should avoid acupuncture and taking green-colored medicines.
Individuals with Fire destiny whose annual luck falls on Fire should avoid acupuncture and taking red-colored medicines.
Individuals with Earth destiny whose annual luck falls on Earth should avoid emesis and taking yellow-colored medicines.
Individuals with Metal destiny whose annual luck falls on Metal should avoid moxibustion and taking white-colored medicines.
Individuals with Water destiny whose annual luck falls on Water should avoid purgatives/laxatives and taking black-colored medicines.
Physicians who do not know these methods may cause death if they apply treatment during deep intersections of fate and misfortune.

[Another Method of Taboo]:
Lichun (Start of Spring) and Chunfen (Spring Equinox): Spleen. Lixia (Start of Summer) and Xiazhi (Summer Solstice): Lungs. Liqiu (Start of Autumn) and Qiufen (Autumn Equinox): Liver. Lidong (Start of Winter) and Dongzhi (Winter Solstice): Heart. The eighteen days at the end of each season: Kidneys.