（《灵枢·九针十二原篇》《终始篇》）
今夫五脏之有疾也，譬犹刺也，犹污也，犹结也，犹 也。（《灵枢·九针十二原篇》。 ，闭同。）刺虽久，犹可拔
也；污虽久，犹可雪也；结虽久，犹可解也； 虽久，犹可决也。或言久疾之不可取者，非其说也。夫善用针者，取其
疾也，犹拔刺也，犹雪污也，犹解结也，犹决 也。疾虽久，犹可毕也。言不可治者，未得其术也。（此详言疾虽久而血
气未败者，犹可以针治之。故善用针者，犹拔刺也，去刺于肤，贵轻捷也。犹雪污也，污染营卫，贵净涤也。犹解结也，
结留关节，贵释散也。犹决闭也，闭塞道路，贵开通也。四者之用，各有精妙，要在轻摘其邪，而勿使略伤其正气耳，
故特举此为谕。若能效而用之，则疾虽久，未有不愈者也。）
久病者，邪气入深，刺此病者，深内而久留之，
（《灵枢·终始篇》。久远之疾，其气必深，针不深则隐伏之病不能及，留不久则固结之邪不得散也。）间日而复刺之，
必先调其左右，去其血脉，刺道毕矣。（一刺未尽，故当间日复刺之。再刺未尽，故再间日而又刺之，必至病除而后已。
然当先察其在经在络，在经者直刺其经，在络者缪刺其络，是谓调其左右，去其血脉也。义详本类前三十。）
(From *Ling Shu: Nine Needles and Twelve Origins Chapter* and *Zhong Shi Chapter*)
Now, diseases of the five Zang organs are like having a thorn stuck in the body, like being stained with dirt, like a knot tied tight, or like a blockage in a waterway. (From *Ling Shu: Nine Needles and Twelve Origins Chapter*. The character "Bi" here is synonymous with "blockage".) Even if needling is applied to a chronic condition, it can still be removed like pulling out a thorn; even if stains have persisted for a long time, they can still be cleansed like washing away dirt; even if knots have remained tied for a long time, they can still be untied; even if blockages have existed for a long time, they can still be opened up like releasing a dam. Some say that chronic diseases cannot be treated with acupuncture; this view is incorrect. A skilled practitioner of acupuncture treats disease as one would pull out a thorn, wash away dirt, untie a knot, or open a blockage. Even if a disease has been present for a long time, it can still be cured. Those who claim it is incurable have simply not mastered the correct technique. (This passage elaborates that even if a disease is chronic, as long as the Qi and Blood have not deteriorated, it can still be treated with acupuncture. Thus, a skilled acupuncturist treats as if pulling out a thorn, valuing lightness and agility in removing the thorn from the skin; as if washing away dirt, valuing thorough cleansing of the Ying and Wei levels; as if untying a knot, valuing the release of stagnation in the joints; as if opening a blockage, valuing the unblocking of pathways. These four methods each have their subtleties, focusing on gently eliminating the pathogenic factor without slightly injuring the Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). Therefore, these analogies are specifically cited. If one can emulate and apply them, then no matter how long the disease has lasted, there will be no case that does not heal.)
In cases of chronic disease, the pathogenic factor has penetrated deeply. When needling such conditions, the needle should be inserted deeply and retained for a long time. (From *Ling Shu: Zhong Shi Chapter*. In chronic diseases, the Qi must be deep; if the needle is not inserted deeply, it cannot reach the latent pathogen; if the retention time is not long enough, the consolidated pathogen cannot dissipate.) Acupuncture should be repeated every other day. One must first regulate the left and right meridians and remove blood stasis, thereby completing the principles of needling. (If one session is insufficient, treatment should be resumed every other day. If the second session is still insufficient, continue treating every other day until the disease is completely resolved. However, one must first determine whether the pathogen is in the Jing Meridians (Primary Meridians) or the Luo Collaterals. If in the Jing Meridians, needle them directly; if in the Luo Collaterals, use Contralateral Puncture (Miao Ci) on the collaterals. This is called regulating the left and right and removing blood stasis. For detailed meaning, see sections 1-30 of this category.)