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(From *Ling Shu: Ci Jie Zhen Xie Pian*)

Huangdi asked Qibo, saying: "I have heard that there are five categories of acupuncture. What are they?" Qibo replied, saying: "Indeed, there are five categories: the first is called 'Zhen Ai' (Shaking off Dust), the second is 'Fa Meng' (Removing Blindfold), the third is 'Qu Zhua' (Removing Claws), the fourth is 'Che Yi' (Removing Clothes), and the fifth is 'Jie Huo' (Resolving Confusion)."

Huangdi said: "When you speak of the five categories, I do not yet understand their meaning." Qibo said: "'Zhen Ai' involves needling the *Wai Jing* (External Meridians) to eliminate *Yang Bing* (Diseases of the Yang aspect). 'Fa Meng' involves needling the *Fu Shu* (Transporting Points of the Fu Organs) to eliminate diseases of the *Fu* organs. 'Qu Zhua' involves needling the joints and collateral vessels of the limbs. 'Che Yi' involves comprehensively needling the *Qi Shu* (Special/Extraordinary Points) of all *Yang* meridians. 'Jie Huo' involves fully understanding how to regulate *Yin* and *Yang*, using tonification (*Bu*) and sedation (*Xie*) for excess and deficiency, thereby shifting the pathological state." (Note: 'Zhen Ai' is likened to shaking off dust; thus, by selecting the External Meridians, one can eliminate Yang diseases. 'Fa Meng' is likened to removing a blindfold; thus, by needling the Fu Transporting Points, one can treat Fu organ diseases. 'Qu Zhua' is likened to shedding extra claws; thus, by selecting joint and limb collaterals, one can treat diseases of blocked blood pathways. 'Che Yi' is likened to removing clothes; thus, one should comprehensively needle the Qi Points of all Yang meridians. 'Jie Huo' is likened to resolving confusion; thus, by fully knowing Yin and Yang and regulating deficiency and excess, one can alter the disease.)

Huangdi said: "In the discussion of acupuncture categories, 'Zhen Ai' was mentioned, yet you spoke of needling the External Meridians to remove Yang diseases. I do not comprehend what this implies; I wish to hear the complete explanation." Qibo said: "'Zhen Ai' addresses conditions where *Yang Qi* rebels violently, rising upward to fill the chest. This manifests as chest fullness, shoulder-lifting breathing, rebellion of the *Da Qi* (Vital Qi), wheezing with audible sounds, restlessness in sitting or lying positions, aversion to smoke and dust, and a sensation of obstruction preventing respiration. Let me explain 'Zhen Ai'; its therapeutic effect is swifter than shaking off dust." (Note: When *Yang Pathogens* are above, they fill the chest, causing symptoms such as chest fullness, shoulder-lifting breathing, rebellious Qi with wheezing, sensations like smoke and dust, and obstructed respiration. Treating diseases located above is described as being swifter than 'Zhen Ai', meaning it is as quick as brushing away dust. Fen Man [chest fullness], pronounced Chang Zhen Qie. KT [Ye], an ancient character for 'Ye', refers to difficulty in swallowing food.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. Which point should be selected?" Qibo said: "Select Tian Rong." (Tian Rong is a point on the Hand Taiyang Meridian.) Huangdi said: "If the patient suffers from severe cough, rebellious Qi, and chest pain, how should points be selected?" Qibo said: "Select Lian Quan." (Lian Quan is a point on the Ren Mai [Conception Vessel]. Qu, pronounced Qu, refers to inability to extend.) Huangdi said: "Is there a limit to the depth or duration of needling?" Qibo said: "When needling Tian Rong, do not exceed a depth of one cun. When needling Lian Quan, stop when the blood color changes." Huangdi said: "Very good." (Not exceeding one cun means approximately the distance a person walks in one li. Blood change refers to the alteration of blood color.)

Huangdi said: "Regarding 'Fa Meng' in the acupuncture categories, I still do not grasp its meaning. 'Fa Meng' implies deafness and blindness. Yet you mention needling Fu Transporting Points to remove Fu diseases. Which point achieves this? I wish to hear the reason." (Deafness and blindness can be cured by needling Fu Transporting Points, hence it is called 'Fa Meng'.) Qibo said: "What a profound question! This represents the general principles of acupuncture, the ultimate application of needles, and the realm of spiritual clarity. Even speaking or writing cannot fully capture its essence. Let me discuss 'Fa Meng'; its efficacy is swifter than removing a blindfold." (Swift efficacy compared to Fa Meng indicates rapid therapeutic results.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. Please elaborate." Qibo said: "To perform this needling, it must be done at noon, which is when *Yang Qi* is prosperous and circulating. Needle Ting Gong, ensuring the sensation reaches the eyeballs, and the sound is heard in the ears; this confirms the correct point." (Noon is the time when *Yang Qi* is dominant and qi circulates. Ting Gong is the Transporting Point of the Hand Taiyang Fu Organ. Its meridian connects with the eyes, so the sensation reaches the eyeballs. The sound resonating in the ear upon needling confirms the acupoint.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. What does 'sound heard in the ear' mean?" Qibo said: "When needling to expel pathogens, firmly press both nostrils with your hand and have the patient quickly lie supine; the resulting sound will resonate with the needle." (This is a method to verify the sound. When needling the point, press the nostrils firmly and quickly assume a supine position; the sound will correspond to the needle.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. This is referred to as acting without visible form, without relying on visual observation, but achieving harmony through spiritual perception." (This means that even if the disease has no visible physical manifestation, one can select points based on spiritual resonance, demonstrating the wonder of spiritual alignment.)

Huangdi said: "Regarding 'Qu Zhua' in the acupuncture categories, you mentioned needling the joints and limb collaterals. I wish to hear the full explanation." Qibo said: "The waist and spine are the major joints of the body. The lower legs are the keys enabling human movement. The penis and scrotum are the mechanisms within the body, indicators of *Yin Jing* (Essence), and pathways for *Jin Ye* (Body Fluids)." (The waist and spine support the body, hence they are the major joints. The lower legs enable movement, hence they are the keys. Keys refer to hinges. The penis and scrotum are the location of the Zong Jin [Major Sinews] of the anterior yin. The prosperity or decline of Yuan Qi at Ming Men is manifested here, hence they are the body's mechanism. Essence exits from here, so they serve as indicators of Yin Essence and pathways for Body Fluids.) "Therefore, if dietary habits are irregular, and emotions of joy and anger are unregulated, *Jin Ye* will overflow internally and accumulate downward in the testicles. This leads to blocked blood pathways, progressive swelling without cessation, difficulty in bending and stretching, and inability to walk. This disease resembles water accumulation, neither rising nor descending. It requires treatment with a Pi Shi (a type of surgical knife); the deformity is visible and cannot be hidden, often requiring exposure. Hence it is named 'Qu Zhua'." Huangdi said: "Excellent." (Irregular diet affects the Taiyin and Yangming meridians. Unregulated emotions affect the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians. Thus, internal overflow of Jin Ye accumulates in the testicles, causing progressive swelling and inability to conceal, resembling hernia-type diseases. The practitioner should examine which meridian is involved and needle the joints and limb collaterals accordingly. Named 'Qu Zhua' because it is like removing warts. Gao, pronounced Gao, refers to the testicle. Pi, pronounced Pi, meaning as previously stated.)

Huangdi said: "Regarding 'Che Yi' in the acupuncture categories, you mentioned comprehensively needling the Qi Points of all Yang meridians. These points have fixed locations. I wish to hear the explanation." Qibo said: "This condition arises from excess *Yang Qi* and deficiency of *Yin Qi*. Deficiency of Yin Qi causes internal heat; excess Yang Qi causes external heat. The internal and external heat clash, making the patient feel as hot as holding charcoal. They fear the proximity of cotton or silk, cannot tolerate clothing against the skin, nor contact mats. The *Li Li* (Pores/Cou Li) are closed, preventing sweating. The tongue is scorched, lips are dry, muscles are parched, the throat is dry, and the patient cannot distinguish flavors." (Excess Yang Qi and deficiency of Yin Qi mean pathogenic Yang is strong while true Yin is weak. 'Hot as holding charcoal' describes intense heat. Fear of cotton/silk means unwillingness to wear clothes. Fear of proximity to others means aversion to human heat. Aversion to mats means aversion to cold. La Gan refers to dry muscles. 'Diet does not allow distinguishing good or bad' means inability to taste flavors. Xi, pronounced Xi.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. How should points be selected?" Qibo said: "Select Tian Fu and Da Zhu three times, then needle Zhong Lv Shu to remove internal heat. Tonify the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian to induce sweating. Once heat subsides and sweat stops, the cure is swifter than removing clothes." Huangdi said: "Excellent." (Tian Fu is a point on the Hand Taiyin Meridian. Da Zhu and Zhong Lv Shu are points on the Foot Taiyang Meridian. Needling these removes heat. Tonifying the Spleen (Foot Taiyin) and Lung (Hand Taiyin) meridians induces sweating. With heat gone and sweat stopped, the disease resolves, swift as removing clothes. This likely pertains to disorders similar to Cold Damage with pathogenic heat.)

Huangdi said: "Regarding 'Jie Huo' in the acupuncture categories, you mentioned fully understanding the regulation of Yin and Yang, and using tonification and sedation for excess and deficiency to shift the balance. How is confusion resolved?" Qibo said: "When Wind Pathogens reside in the body, the blood vessels become unevenly deficient. The deficient side lacks strength, while the excess side has surplus. This leads to imbalance in weight distribution, tilting, falling, and prostration. The patient loses orientation regarding east, west, north, and south, experiencing sudden upward and downward movements, reversals, and recurrences, with constant disorientation, worse than mere confusion." (Wind pathogens cause blood vessel weakness; when Zheng Qi [Upright Qi] cannot overcome pathogens, symptoms like weight imbalance and tilting occur. Due to this disorientation, it is said to be worse than confusion; this corresponds to Stroke-like conditions.) Huangdi said: "Excellent. How should points be selected?" Qibo said: "Sedate the excess, tonify the deficiency, restore Yin-Yang balance. Using needles in this manner, the recovery is swifter than resolving confusion." Huangdi said: "Excellent. I shall store this in the Ling Lan Chamber and dare not reveal it lightly." (Fully understanding Yin and Yang, balancing deficiency and excess, applying needles thus ensures all diseases are cured, hence it is said to be swifter than resolving confusion.)