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(From *Ling Shu: Guan Zhen Pian*)

The essence of acupuncture lies in the skillful use of "Guan Zhen" (Official Needles). ("Guan" refers to law and justice. Since they are made with specific methods and applied publicly, they are called Guan Zenes.) The appropriate uses of the Nine Needles each have their specific indications; their lengths and sizes are suited to different applications. If their proper use is not observed, the disease cannot be moved or cured. (If the method is incorrect, the pathogenic factor cannot be eliminated.)

If the pathology is superficial but the needle insertion is too deep, it will injure the healthy flesh internally, leading to skin abscesses. (Injury to the healthy flesh causes blood to flow internally and ulcerate externally, resulting in skin abscesses.) If the pathology is deep but the needle insertion is too shallow, the pathogenic qi will not be discharged, leading to large suppurative lesions. (When pathogenic qi is not discharged and collateral vessels are injured, large abscesses form. Diseases vary in depth; needle insertion must correspond to this depth. Excessive depth causes internal injury, while insufficient depth leads to external stagnation, allowing pathogens to invade further and cause severe illness later.)

If the disease is minor but the needle is too large, excessive discharge of qi will occur, inevitably causing harm. (Excessive discharge of qi damages the Yuan Qi, thus inevitably causing harm.) If the disease is major but the needle is too small, the qi will not be discharged, also leading to treatment failure. (If the needle is inadequate for the disease severity, pathogenic qi cannot be discharged, and the needling technique is inappropriate, thus also leading to failure.)

Violating the appropriateness of needles, using a large needle when a small one is needed results in the depletion of Zheng Qi (Upright Qi); using a small needle when a large one is needed fails to move the disease. (Using a large needle instead of a small one depletes Zheng Qi; using a small needle instead of a large one fails to eliminate the pathogen. Both violate the principle of appropriateness.) Having discussed the errors, I will now discuss the correct applications. (The preceding text discussed errors; the following text discusses correct applications.)

For diseases located in the skin with no fixed position, use a Fire Needle (Fen Zhen) at the site. However, do not use it if the skin color is pale. (Fixed-positionless skin diseases indicate the wandering nature of Fire Pathogens. Using a Fire Needle aims to drain Yang Qi. Pale skin indicates the absence of fire, so needling is unsuitable.)

For diseases located between the muscle layers, use a Round Needle (Yuan Zhen) at the site.

For diseases involving the meridians and chronic Bi Syndrome (Obstruction Syndrome), use a Sharp Needle (Feng Zhen).

For conditions where meridian qi is deficient and tonification is required, use a Di Needle (Di Zhen) at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points of the respective meridians. (This needle is suitable for tonification. "Shu" refers to the Shu points of each meridian.)

For diseases manifesting as large abscesses, use a Pi Needle (Pi Zhen).

For acute onset of Bi Qi (Bi Pathogen), use a Round-Sharp Needle (Yuan Li Zhen).

For Bi Qi causing persistent pain, use a Hair-Needle (Hao Zhen).

For diseases located deeply within the body, use a Long Needle (Chang Zhen). ("Deep" here refers to distant or profound locations.)

For edema accompanied by blockage of joint movements, use a Large Needle (Da Zhen).

For diseases fixed in the Five Zang Organs, use a Sharp Needle (Feng Zhen) to drain at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, selecting acupoints according to the Four Seasons. (The meaning of the Four Seasons is detailed in Chapter 18 below.)