咒曰。天灵节荣。愿保长生。太玄之一。守其真形。五脏神君。各保安宁。针一下。万毒潜形。急急如令敕。
凡针默念咒一遍。吹气在针上。想针如火龙。从病患心腹中出。其病速愈。按针用咒法。非出素问意。但使针时
专心于内。不致外驰也。
譬曰如气球焉。方其未有气也则恹塌不堪蹴踢。及从窍吹之。则气满起胖。此虚中则补之之义也。去其窍之所
塞。则气从窍出。而球复恹塌矣。此实中则泻之之义也。
火针主刺周身病。淫邪溢于肌体中。为风为水关节痹。关节一利大气通。火针者。即古人之燔针也。凡周身之
淫邪。或风或水溢于肌体。留而不能过于关节。壅滞为病者。以此刺之。使关节利大气通。则淫邪壅于经络风虚肿
毒。伤于肌体者。皆可去也。
取穴先将爪切深。须教毋外慕其心。令他荣卫无伤碍。医者方堪入妙针。
凡下针用左手大指甲重切。所针之穴。令气血开。教病者心专于内。不要外驰。然后下针。使针不伤荣卫。方
堪入妙。
持针之士要心雄。手如握虎莫放松。欲识机关三部奥。须将此理再推穷。
凡下针之时。须心小力雄。以右手持气针于穴上。势若握虎。不敢放松。着力漫旋。插直至应止之处。吸气三
口。然后方提针徐徐而出。凡机关三才奥理。欲先识于心。而行于针者。须将此再三推究可也。
The incantation states: "Tianling Jierong, may longevity be preserved. The One of Tai Xuan, guard its true form. The Divine Lords of the Five Zang Organs, each maintain peace and tranquility. Once the needle is inserted, ten thousand poisons hide their forms. Act swiftly as commanded."
When inserting a needle, silently recite the incantation once, blow breath onto the needle, and visualize the needle as a fire dragon emerging from the patient's heart and abdomen. This ensures rapid recovery. The method of using an incantation for needling does not originate from the intent of *Su Wen* (Plain Questions), but serves to keep the practitioner's mind focused inward, preventing mental distraction.
Consider it like a balloon: when devoid of air, it is limp and collapsed, unfit for kicking; once air is blown into the orifice, it becomes full and inflated. This illustrates the principle of "tonifying deficiency" (Xu Ze Bu Zhi). When the blockage at the orifice is removed, air escapes, and the balloon returns to being limp and collapsed. This illustrates the principle of "draining excess" (Shi Ze Xie Zhi).
Fire needles are primarily used to treat diseases throughout the body where pathogenic factors overflow into the musculature and tissues, manifesting as wind or water-dampness causing joint bi-syndrome (Bi Syndrome). Once the joints are unobstructed, the Great Qi can circulate. Fire needles refer to the ancient "Fan Zhen" (burning needles). For any pathogenic factors throughout the body, whether wind or water-dampness overflowing into the tissues and stagnating without passing through the joints, this method should be applied. By unblocking the joints and facilitating the circulation of Great Qi, pathogenic factors such as wind-deficiency swelling and toxins stagnating in the meridians, or those injuring the musculature and tissues, can all be eliminated.
To select acupoints, first press deeply with the fingernail. Instruct the patient to focus inward and not let their mind wander externally, so that Ying-Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) remain undisturbed, allowing the practitioner to perform exquisite needling.
When inserting the needle, use the thumb nail of the left hand to press heavily on the target acupoint, opening the flow of Qi and Blood. Instruct the patient to focus internally and prevent mental distraction. Only then insert the needle, ensuring it does not damage Ying-Wei Qi, thereby achieving mastery.
The practitioner holding the needle must possess a bold spirit and hold it firmly, as if grasping a tiger, without relaxing. To understand the profound secrets of the Three Regions (San Bu), one must repeatedly deduce and exhaust these principles.
During needling, one must be cautious yet forceful. Hold the Qi Needle with the right hand over the acupoint, maintaining a posture like grasping a tiger, without relaxing. Apply force while rotating slowly, inserting until the appropriate depth is reached. Take three deep breaths, then slowly withdraw the needle. To internalize the profound principles of the Three Realms (Heaven, Earth, Human) and apply them to needling, one must repeatedly investigate and reflect upon these concepts.