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The *Neijing* states: Between the nail and the corner of the nail, as well as on the inner and outer sides, and in the depressed, curved areas, one must precisely examine how many *cun* a specific acupoint is from a certain location. Those acupoints with identical locations each belong to different meridians.

When applying moxibustion, if heavy fog rises, wind and snow suddenly fall, or there is heavy rain, intense heat, thunder, lightning, or rainbows, one should temporarily stop and wait for clear and bright weather before proceeding with fire moxibustion. During moxibustion, one must not perform it when overly full, when muscles are tense, after drinking alcohol to intoxication, or after eating raw and hard foods. One must also avoid emotions such as excessive thinking, sorrow, resentment, anger, cursing, sighing, and all other inauspicious behaviors; strictly observing these taboos brings great auspiciousness. The *Qianjin Fang* states: Moxibustion can only be performed after noon, because at this time Yin Qi has not yet arrived, and moxibustion will invariably take effect. In the morning at dawn, Gu Qi (Grain Qi) is deficient, which may lead to mania; acupuncture and moxibustion should not be performed then. Unless it is an emergency, this rule does not apply.

Those who use needles must first clarify the acupoints, employing tonification for deficiency and sedation for excess, transforming hardness into softness, treating urgency by following slowness, allowing Ying and Wei Qi to circulate normally, without violating their principles. The practitioner’s mind must remain focused on the needle; one should speak little like holding a rope in the mouth, and gaze inward to observe Qi and Blood changes, regulating them appropriately without reckless movement. When the needle enters one *fen*, one perceives the Qi of Heaven and Earth; when it enters two *fen*, one perceives the Qi of respiration and the interplay of Water and Fire; when it enters three *fen*, one perceives the Qi of the Four Seasons, Five Elements, Zang-Fu organs, and their smooth or reversed states. When needling the skin, hair follicles, and ciliary spaces, do not injure the muscles; when needling muscles, do not injure the sinews and vessels; when needling sinews and vessels, do not injure the bone marrow; when needling bone marrow, do not injure the collateral vessels.

East Jia-Yi Wood governs the Liver and Gallbladder, sinews/fascia, and Hun (Ethereal Soul). South Bing-Ding Fire governs the Heart and Small Intestine, blood vessels, and Shen (Spirit). West Geng-Xin Metal governs the Lungs and Large Intestine, skin/hair follicles, and Po (Corporeal Soul). North Ren-Gui Water governs the Kidneys and Bladder, bone marrow, and Zhi (Will). Central Wu-Ji Earth governs the Spleen and Stomach, muscles, and Yi (Intellect/Intent). Injury to sinews by needles causes abnormal gazing and loss of Hun; injury to blood vessels causes agitation and loss of Shen; injury to skin causes upward Qi rebellion and loss of Po; injury to bone marrow causes groaning and loss of Zhi; injury to muscles causes inability to move the limbs and loss of Yi. These are called the "Five Disorders," arising from improper needling. If further deviation occurs, death is a risk. It is said that needles can kill the living but cannot revive the dead, meaning that foolish practitioners using needles recklessly cause death rather than saving those who are alive. One must also carefully observe conditions similar to death, which doctors cannot treat, and situations analogous to a collapsing state, where advice should not be sought. Even sages and wise beings cannot revive the dead or restore a fallen state. Thus it is said: Do not enter dangerous states; do not dwell in chaotic states.

Foolish people greedy for profit, ignorant of governance, chaos, survival, and destruction, bring danger to themselves and ruin to their clans, leading to mutual loss and national collapse; this is also a lesson within the medical way. In acupuncture methods, tonification and sedation come first. Respiration corresponds to the Yangtze and Han rivers; tonification and sedation are measured like sheng and dou units; there are rules for longitude and latitude, and Yin and Yang do not interfere. Zhen represents the beginning of Yang Qi (Fire born in Yin month); Dui represents the end of Yin Qi (Xu is the upper tomb); Kan represents Tai Xuan Hua (on the Winter Solstice, at midnight, one Yang line is born); Li represents the Essence of Great Sun (symbolizing the middle daughter). To tonify, follow Yang (tonification does not reach Xun; the foot's Di Hu is the empty ground); to sedate, proceed from Northwest (from Yin to Wu); upon withdrawing the needle, follow the moonlight (from Shen, the position of sun and moon moving toward Wu). By contemplating the Qi of the Five Elements, one regulates Ying and Wei, providing care and rest. This is referred to as the "Treasure Needle" used daily. The needle removes disease quickly. First, tonify through five breaths, insert the needle five *fen* deep, retain for ten breaths; insert one *cun* deep, retain for twenty breaths. Adjust according to timing. For urgent conditions, insert deeply and retain long; for slack conditions, insert shallowly and withdraw quickly. For excess conditions, slightly bleed; for slippery pulses, withdraw quickly, insert shallowly, and retain long; for choppy pulses, obtain the pulse sensation, follow its direction, retain long, withdraw quickly, and press the acupoint without bleeding. For small and weak patients, do not use large needles. However, for Qi deficiency, it is appropriate to regulate with herbal medicines. The remaining three types of needles are primarily used to pierce abscesses, hard tumors, nodules, and polyps in the center, and can also treat human diseases. Fire needles also use Feng Zhen (Needle), heated with oil until fiercely hot; if not hot enough, it harms the patient. Repeat every other day; after three repetitions, profuse discharge of pus and water is ideal. The acupoints Juque, Taicang, Shangwan, and Xiawan form a row of six acupoints; fire needles are contraindicated here. For large masses, pausing needle manipulation and rotating the body is better. Before each needling, always check the pulse; only needle if the pulse is favorable, and do not needle recklessly if the pulse is unfavorable. Fever and aversion to cold lasting one night indicate the pathogen has entered the interior; do not underestimate it.