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(The situation is the same for the twelve meridians of the hands and feet.)

The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: For patients who are emaciated, suffering from chronic conditions with fixed locations, acupuncture should be performed according to solar terms. The aim is to ensure that the qi and blood flow in the twelve meridians does not become interrupted. If any one of the twelve meridians is completely obstructed, that specific meridian characterized by stagnation and obstruction should be needled to restore its connection and flow with other meridians. The number of needle insertions is not fixed but should continue until the patient's body reaches a state of balance. If all meridians exhibit deficiency patterns, tonify the twelve meridians; if all meridians exhibit excess patterns, reduce the twelve meridians. Tonification should follow the direction of qi flow ("Sui Er Ji Zhi" - following and assisting), while reduction should oppose the direction of qi flow ("Ying Er Duo Zhi" - meeting and draining).

This approach aims to eliminate diseases caused by imbalances that are neither excessive nor deficient within the meridians.

The *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues), Chapter 80, states: "Seeing as entering" refers to inserting the needle only when the qi arrival is observed via the pulse at the left hand, and removing it when the qi movement is completed. This is not merely applying Ying-Sui tonification and reduction methods, but addressing conditions that are neither truly deficient nor truly excess. "Not deficient" means the true qi has not yet weakened; "not excess" means the pathogenic factor has not yet become excessive. Therefore, in such cases, one directly selects the affected meridian and applies the appropriate method.

If treating a disease of a specific meridian, an additional needle may be inserted into the Yuan-Source point of that same meridian. For example, to tonify the Liver Meridian, apply tonification at the Liver Yuan-Source point; to reduce the Liver Meridian, apply reduction at the Liver Yuan-Source point. After completing tonification or reduction on other meridians, follow this same example to treat the Yuan-Source points of each respective meridian.

Furthermore, tonifying the mother meridian (based on the Five Elements generating cycle) is also called "following and assisting." Reducing the child meridian is also called "meeting and draining." Additionally, coordinating needle insertion and withdrawal with respiration is also referred to as the Ying-Sui method.

For pain in both hypochondriac regions, needle Qiuxu (GB40) of the Shaoyang Meridian; for heart pain, needle Taixi (KI3) of the Shaoyin Meridian. (Also include Yongquan (KI1) and the Yuan-Source point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, Taichong (LR3)). For lower back pain, bleed Kunlun (BL60) and Weizhong (BL40). For wheezing, distension, fullness, and phlegm-rheum thick like glue, needle Taixi (KI3); for incessant vomiting and hiccups, needle Daling (PC7) of the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian. For headache where heat in the Yuan-Source points of the Hand and Foot Taiyang meridians is intense and unceasing, bleed Xangu (ST43). For Xiao Chang (Small Intestine) hernia pain, needle Taichong (LR3) of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. For generalized joint soreness, heaviness, and insensitivity, use a three-edged needle to bleed Jiegu (GB39).

For women with continuous uterine bleeding, needle the Jing-Well point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. For throat closure (bi-syndrome), needle the Jing-Well points of the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians (also include Shangyang (LI1) and the Jing-Well points of the Hand and Foot Taiyin meridians). For extreme restlessness and heat unceasing, accompanied by day-and-night weakness, bleed between the ten fingers. For protruding eyeballs, deep needling is required. For severe eye pain, needle the Jing-Well point of the Taiyang Meridian. For unbearable internal head pain, acute hernia pain, or pain in the female genitalia, all should be treated by needling the Jing-Well point of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. For mild eye pain, needle the Jing-Well point of the Shaoyang Meridian.

For heart pain with a deep pulse, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Kidney Meridian; for a wiry pulse, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Liver Meridian; for a choppy pulse, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Lung Meridian; for a slow pulse, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Spleen Meridian. For the anterior aspect of the body, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian; for the posterior aspect, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; for the lateral aspect, needle the Yuan-Source point of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian.

Moxibustion for internal acupoints on the body is divided into eight directions. From the umbilicus up to Jiwei (CV15), the number of moxa cones (zhuang) corresponds to the patient's age; from Dazhui (GV14) down to the waist, the number of moxa cones also corresponds to the patient's age. The four limbs are divided into quarters: the Jing-Well point counts as one unit, the Ying-Spring point as two units, up to the He-Sea point as five units, etc. Starting from the Gallbladder Meridian, divide into four directions, multiplying the quantities of Jing-Well and Ying-Spring points accordingly. Baihui (GV20) counts as one unit, following the same method as the Gallbladder Meridian. Before performing moxibustion, always diagnose the pulse first. If the pulse is floating, moxibustion is contraindicated; applying it will inevitably lead to adverse changes.

Two days before and after the new moon (first day of the lunar month) belong to the Kun trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stems Gui and Yi. The moon is waning; avoid reduction methods.
Two days before and after the full moon (fifteenth day of the lunar month) belong to the Qian trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stems Jia and Ren. The moon is full; avoid tonification methods.
From the third day to the first quarter moon, belongs to the Zhen trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stem Geng.
From the first quarter moon to the full moon, belongs to the Dui trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stem Ding.
From the full moon to the last quarter moon, belongs to the Xun trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stem Xin.
From the last quarter moon to the last day of the lunar month (Hui), belongs to the Gen trigram, corresponding to Heavenly Stem Bing.