冷补之时。使气至病。更用生成之息数。令病患鼻中吸气出。自觉热矣。当热泻之时。
使
气至病。更用生成之息数。令病患鼻中出气。口中吸气。按所病脏腑之数。自觉清凉矣。
经云。凡补泻。非必呼吸出内。而在乎手指何谓也。故摇、动、进、退、搓、盘、弹、
捻、循、扪、摄、按、爪切是也。略备于后。
动 动者。如足不能行。将针伸提而已。
退 退者。为补泻欲出针时。各先退针一豆许。然后却留针。方可出之。此为退
也。
搓 搓者。凡令人觉热。向外似搓线之貌。勿转太紧。治寒而里卧针。根据前转法
以为搓也。
进 进者。凡不得气。男外女内者。及春夏秋冬各有进退之理。此之为进也。
盘 盘者。为如针腹部。于穴内轻盘摇而已。为盘之也。
摇 摇者。凡泻时。欲出针。必须动摇而出者也。
弹 弹者。凡用补时。可用大指甲。轻弹针。使气疾行也。如泻。不可用也。
捻 捻者。以手捻针也。务要识手左右也。左为外。右为内。慎记耳。
循 循者。凡下针于穴部分经络之处。用手上下循之。使气血往来而已。经云。
推之则行。引之则止。
扪 扪者。凡补时。用手扪闭其穴是也。
摄 摄者。下针如气涩滞。随经络上。用大指甲上下切其气血。自得通行也。
按 按者。以手捻针无得进退。如按切之状是也。
爪 爪者。凡下针用手指作力置穴。有准也。
切 切者。凡欲下针。必先用大指甲左右于穴切之。令气血宣散然后下针。是不
伤荣卫故也。
When performing the "Cold Tonification" technique, guide the needle sensation (Qi) to the diseased area. Then, utilize the generation and completion breath counts (respiratory counting), instructing the patient to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth; the patient will spontaneously feel warmth.
During the "Heat Sedation" technique, guide the needle sensation (Qi) to the diseased area. Again, utilize the generation and completion breath counts, instructing the patient to exhale through the nose and inhale through the mouth. Based on the generation numbers corresponding to the affected Zang-Fu organs, the patient will spontaneously feel coolness.
The Classics state: "Regarding tonification and sedation, it is not necessarily dependent on inhalation and exhalation, but rather lies in the manipulation of the fingers." What does this mean? It refers to the techniques of shaking, moving, advancing, retreating, rubbing, coiling, flicking, twisting, following, pressing, pinching, scratching, and cutting. These are briefly detailed below.
Moving: The term "Moving" refers to situations such as inability to walk with the feet, where one simply inserts the needle and performs gentle lifting and thrusting.
Retreating: The term "Retreating" refers to withdrawing the needle slightly (approximately the size of a bean) before removing it at the end of tonification or sedation procedures, followed by retaining the needle for a moment before final removal. This is called "Retreating."
Rubbing: The term "Rubbing" refers to a technique intended to induce heat in the patient. The motion is outward, resembling the action of rubbing thread. One must avoid turning too tightly. For treating cold conditions using horizontal needling (lying needle), the rubbing technique is performed according to the aforementioned rotational methods.
Advancing: The term "Advancing" refers to the manipulation used when Qi has not yet arrived. It involves adjusting advancement and retreat based on gender differences (external for males, internal for females) and the principles applicable to the four seasons. This constitutes "Advancing."
Coiling: The term "Coiling" refers to gently rotating and shaking the needle within the acupoint, particularly when needling the abdomen. This is known as "Coiling."
Shaking: The term "Shaking" refers to the requirement during sedation techniques to shake the needle before withdrawal.
Flicking: The term "Flicking" refers to using the thumbnail to gently tap the needle handle during tonification to accelerate the flow of Qi. This method should not be used for sedation.
Twisting: The term "Twisting" refers to rotating the needle with the hand. One must clearly distinguish between left and right hands. The left hand corresponds to external manipulation, and the right hand to internal manipulation; this requires careful memorization.
Following: The term "Following" refers to using the hand to stroke along the meridian pathways above and below the acupoint after insertion, facilitating the circulation of Qi and Blood. The Classics state: "Pushing causes movement; drawing causes cessation."
Pressing: The term "Pressing" refers to using the hand to press and close the acupoint during tonification techniques.
Pinching: The term "Pinching" refers to using the thumbnail to pinch up and down along the meridian if Qi stagnation occurs after insertion, allowing smooth passage of Qi and Blood.
Anchoring/Pressing (At): The term "At" (or Anchoring) refers to holding the needle firmly with the hand to prevent advancement or retreat, resembling a palpating or pressing motion.
Scratching: The term "Scratching" refers to using finger pressure to precisely locate the acupoint before needle insertion.
Cutting: The term "Cutting" refers to using the thumbnail to cut or press around the acupoint from both sides prior to needle insertion. This disperses Qi and Blood, ensuring that the Ying and Wei Qi are not injured upon needle entry.