青龙摆尾
如扶船舵，不进不退，一左一右，慢慢拨动。又云∶青龙摆
尾行气，龙为阳属之故。行针之时，提针至天部，持针摇而按之，如推船舵之缓。每穴左右各摇五息，如龙
摆尾之状，兼用按者，按则行卫也。
白虎摇头
似手摇铃，退方进员，兼之左右摇而振之。又云∶行针之时，开其上气，闭其下气，气必上行。开其下
气，闭其上气，气必下行。如刺手足，欲使气上行，以指下抑之，欲使气下行，以指上抑之，用针头按住
少时，其气自然行也。进则左转，退则右转，然后摇动是也。又云∶白虎摇头行血，虎为阴属之故。行针
之时，插针地部，持针提而动之，如摇铃之状，每穴每施五息。退方进员，非出入也，即大指进前往后，左右
略转，提针而动之，似虎摆头之状。兼行提者，提则行荣也，龙补虎泻也。
苍龟探穴
如入土之像，一退三进，钻剔四方。又云∶得气之时，将针似龟入土之状，缓缓进之，上下左右而探
之。（上下出内也，左右拈针也。）又云∶下针时三进一退，将两指按肉持针，于地部
右盘，提而剔之，如龟入土，四围钻之。盘而剔者，行经脉也。
赤凤迎源
展翅之仪，入针至地部，提针至天部。候针自摇，复进其源，上下左右，四围飞旋。病在上，吸而退之；
病在下，呼而进之。（吸而右退，呼而左进，此即上下左右也。）又云∶下针之
时，入天插地，复提至天，候气入地，针必动摇。又复推至人部，持住针头左盘，按而捣之，如凤冲风摆翼之
状。盘而捣者，行络脉也，凤补龟泻也。以上四法，所谓通关过节者也。
龙虎交战
下针之时，先行龙而左转，可施九阳数足，后行虎而右转，又施六阴数足，乃首龙尾虎以补泻。此是阴
中引阳，阳中引阴，乃反复其道也。又云∶先于天部施青龙摆尾，左盘右转，按而添
之，亦宜三提九按（即九阳也），令九阳数足。后于地部行白虎摇头，右盘左转，提而抽之，亦宜三按六提
（即六阴也），令六阴数足，首龙尾虎而转之。此乃阴阳升降之理，住痛移痛之法也。
龙虎升腾
先于天部持针，左盘按之，一回，右盘按之，后一回用中指将针腰插之，如拨弩机之状，如此九次，像青
龙纯阳之体。却推针至地部，右盘提之，一回，左盘提之，后一回，用中指将针腰插之，如此六次，像白虎纯
阴之体。按之在后，使气在前，按之在前，使气在后。若气血凝滞不行，两手各持其针行之，此飞经走气之法也。
子午捣臼
下针之后，调气得匀，以针上下行九入六出之数。左右转之，道引阴阳之气，百病自除。谚云∶针转千
遭，其病自消。此除臌膈膨胀之疾也。
烧山火
针入先浅后深，约入五分，用九阳，三进三退，慢提紧按，热至紧闭针穴，方可插针，令天气入，地
气出，寒可除矣。又云∶一退三飞，飞，进也。如此三次，为三退九进，则成九矣。其法∶一次急提至天，
三次慢按至地，故曰疾提慢按。随按令病患天气入，地气出，谨按生成息数，病愈而止。一说∶三进三退
者，三度出入，三次，则成九矣。九阳者，补也。先浅后深者，浅则五分，深则一寸。
透天凉
先深后浅，约入一寸，用六阴，三出三入，紧提慢按。寒至
徐徐退出五分，令地气入，天气出，热可退也。又云∶一飞三
退，如此三次，为三进六退，即六阴数也。其法∶一次疾插入地，三次慢提至天，故曰疾按慢提。随提令病患地
气入，天气出，谨按脏腑生成息数，病自退矣。一说∶一度三进三退，则成六矣。六阴者，补也。
阳中隐阴
先寒后热，浅以深，针入五分，行九阳之数，热至便进针一
寸，行六阴之数，乃阳行阴道之理，则先补后泻也。
阴中隐阳
先热后寒，深而浅，先针一寸，行六阴之数。寒至便退针五分之中，行九阳之数，乃阴行阳道之理，则
先泻后补也。补者，直须热至。泻者，直待寒侵。
抽添法
针入穴后，行九阳之数，气至慢慢转换，将针提按，或进或退，使气随针到于病所，扶针直插，复向下
纳，回阳倒阴。又云∶抽添即提按出纳之状。抽者，拔而数拔也。添者，按而数推也。取其要穴，先行九阳之
数，得气随吹按添，就随吸抽提，其实在乎动摇出内呼吸同法。以动摇出内呼吸相兼并施，故曰同
法。谨按生成息数足效也，此治瘫痪半身不遂之疾。
调气法
下针至地，复出于人。欲气上行，将针右拈；欲气下行，将针左拈。欲补先呼而吸，欲泻先吸后呼。气不
至者，以手循摄，以爪切掐，以针摇动进退搓拈，直待气至。以龙虎升腾之法，按之在前，使气在后，按之在后
，使气在前，运气走至病所。再用纳气之法，扶针直插，复向下纳，使气不回。若关节阻滞，气不
过者，以龙虎龟凤四法，通经接气，驱而运之，然后用循摄爪切，无不应矣。
进气法
针入天部，行九阳之数，气至速卧倒针。候其气行，令病患
吸气五七口，其针气上行。此乃进气之法，可治肘臂腰脚身疼。
亦可龙虎交战走注之病，左拈九，右拈六，是亦住痛之针。
纳气法
下针之时，先行进退之数，得气便卧倒针。候气前行，催运到于病所，便立起针，复向下纳，使气不出。
又云∶下针之后，如真气至，针下微微沉紧，如鱼吞饵之状。两手持针，徐徐按
倒，令针尖向病，使气上行至病所，扶针直插，复向下纳，使气上行不回也。
留气法
用针之时，先进七分之中，行纯阳之数。若得气，便深入，
伸提之，却退至原处。又得气，根据前法，可治 癖 瘕之病。
Qinglong Bawei (Green Dragon Wags Tail)
Like holding a ship's rudder, neither advancing nor retreating, moving slowly left and right. It is also said: Qinglong Bawei moves Qi; this is because the dragon belongs to Yang. During needle manipulation, lift the needle to the Heaven Layer (superficial layer), hold the needle and rock it while pressing down, as slowly as pushing a ship's rudder. Rock the needle left and right five breaths for each acupoint, resembling the tail of a dragon wagging. The simultaneous use of pressing is to move Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).
Baihu Yaotou (White Tiger Shakes Head)
Like shaking a hand bell, square when withdrawing and round when inserting, accompanied by left-right rocking and trembling. It is also said: during needle manipulation, open the Qi above and close the Qi below, so the Qi will ascend; open the Qi below and close the Qi above, so the Qi will descend. When needling the limbs, if one wishes the Qi to ascend, press with fingers from below; if one wishes the Qi to descend, press with fingers from above. Hold the needle head in place for a moment, and the Qi will naturally move. Advance by turning left, withdraw by turning right, then rock. It is also said: Baihu Yaotou moves Blood; this is because the tiger belongs to Ying (Nutritive) Yin. During needle manipulation, insert the needle into the Earth Layer (deep layer), hold the needle and lift while agitating it, like shaking a bell. Perform this for five breaths per application at each point. "Square withdrawal, round insertion" does not refer to entering or exiting the skin, but rather the thumb moving forward and backward, slightly turning left and right, lifting the needle body and agitating it, resembling a tiger shaking its head. Simultaneous use of lifting is to move Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi); this is the method of Dragon Tonification and Tiger Sedation.
Canggui Tanxue (Tortoise Explores the Hole)
Resembling entering the soil, one withdrawal followed by three insertions, drilling and scraping in four directions. It is also said: upon obtaining Deqi (Needling Sensation), manipulate the needle as if a tortoise enters the soil, advancing slowly, exploring up, down, left, and right. (Up and down refer to insertion and withdrawal; left and right refer to twirling the needle.) It is also said: upon insertion, perform three insertions and one withdrawal. Use two fingers to press the flesh while holding the needle, rotate to the right at the Earth Layer, lift and scrape, like a tortoise entering the soil, drilling around the perimeter. Rotating and scraping is to move the Meridians.
Chifeng Yingyuan (Red Phoenix Welcomes the Source)
The posture of spreading wings. Insert the needle to the Earth Layer, lift it to the Heaven Layer. Wait for the needle to vibrate spontaneously, then re-insert towards the source, flying and rotating in all four directions around the up, down, left, and right. For diseases in the upper part, withdraw on inhalation; for diseases in the lower part, insert on exhalation. (Inhalation leads to rightward withdrawal, exhalation leads to leftward insertion; this constitutes the up-down-left-right movement.) It is also said: upon insertion, go from Heaven to Earth, then lift back to Heaven. Wait for Qi to enter the Earth Layer, and the needle will surely tremble. Then push to the Human Layer (middle layer), hold the needle head and rotate left, press and peck, resembling a phoenix flapping its wings against the wind. Rotating and pecking is to move the Collaterals; this is Phoenix Tonification and Tortoise Sedation. The above four methods are what is called "Opening Passes and Crossing Joints."
Longhu Zhanjian (Dragon and Tiger Battle)
Upon insertion, first perform the Dragon method turning left until the number of Nine Yangs is sufficient. Then perform the Tiger method turning right until the number of Six Yins is sufficient. This is starting with Dragon and ending with Tiger for tonification and sedation. This is drawing Yang within Yin and Yin within Yang, repeating the path. It is also said: First, perform Qinglong Bawei at the Heaven Layer, rotating left then right, pressing and adding, preferably three lifts and nine presses (which is Nine Yangs), ensuring the Nine Yangs are sufficient. Then, perform Baihu Yaotou at the Earth Layer, rotating right then left, lifting and withdrawing, preferably three presses and six lifts (which is Six Yins), ensuring the Six Yins are sufficient. Start with Dragon and end with Tiger in rotation. This follows the principle of Yin-Yang ascending and descending, a method for stopping and relocating pain.
Longhu Shengteng (Dragon and Tiger Ascending)
First, hold the needle at the Heaven Layer, rotate left and press once, rotate right and press once. On the subsequent occasion, use the middle finger to thrust the waist of the needle, like triggering a crossbow, repeating this nine times, symbolizing the pure Yang nature of the Green Dragon. Then push the needle to the Earth Layer, rotate right and lift once, rotate left and lift once. On the subsequent occasion, use the middle finger to thrust the waist of the needle, repeating this six times, symbolizing the pure Yin nature of the White Tiger. Pressing later causes Qi to be ahead; pressing earlier causes Qi to be behind. If Qi and Blood are stagnant and do not flow, hold needles with both hands to manipulate, which is the method of Flying through Meridians and Moving Qi.
Ziwu Daojiu (Midnight-Noon Water Mortar)
After insertion, regulate the Qi to be even. Move the needle up and down following the count of nine insertions and six withdrawals. Rotate left and right to guide Yin and Yang Qi, and hundred diseases will naturally eliminate. As the proverb says: "A thousand turns of the needle, and the disease disappears." This eliminates disorders of abdominal distension and fullness.
Shaoshanhuo (Mounting Mountain Fire)
Insert the needle shallowly first, then deeply, approximately 5 fen. Use the Nine Yang method: three insertions and three withdrawals, slow lifting and firm pressing. When heat sensation arrives, tightly close the acupoint. Only then continue inserting, allowing Heaven Qi to enter and Earth Qi to exit, eliminating Cold. It is also said: One withdrawal and three "flights" (insertions). Repeat this three times, resulting in three withdrawals and nine insertions, completing the number Nine. The technique: Rapidly lift to the Heaven Layer once, slowly press to the Earth Layer three times; hence, rapid lifting and slow pressing. Follow the pressing to allow the patient to feel Heaven Qi entering and Earth Qi exiting. Carefully adhere to the generative breath count, stopping when the illness resolves. Another interpretation: Three insertions and three withdrawals performed three times results in the number Nine. Nine Yangs represent Tonification. Shallow then deep means shallow is 5 fen, deep is 1 cun.
Toutianliang (Penetrating Heaven Coolness)
Insert deeply first, then shallowly, approximately 1 cun. Use the Six Yin method: three withdrawals and three insertions, firm lifting and slow pressing. When cold sensation arrives, slowly withdraw 5 fen, allowing Earth Qi to enter and Heaven Qi to exit, reducing Heat. It is also said: One "flight" and three withdrawals. Repeat this three times, resulting in three insertions and six withdrawals, which is the number Six Yins. The technique: Rapidly insert to the Earth Layer once, slowly lift to the Heaven Layer three times; hence, rapid pressing and slow lifting. Follow the lifting to allow the patient to feel Earth Qi entering and Heaven Qi exiting. Carefully adhere to the organ-generative breath count, and the illness will naturally recede. Another interpretation: One cycle of three insertions and three withdrawals results in the number Six. Six Yins represent Tonification (Note: Text implies Tonification, though traditionally Six Yin is often Sedation).
Yangzhong Yinyin (Yin Hidden within Yang)
Cold first, then heat. Shallow to deep. Insert 5 fen, perform the Nine Yang count. When heat arrives, advance the needle 1 cun and perform the Six Yin count. This follows the principle of Yang traversing the Yin path, constituting Tonification first then Sedation.
Yinzhong Yinyang (Yang Hidden within Yin)
Heat first, then cold. Deep to shallow. First insert 1 cun and perform the Six Yin count. When cold arrives, withdraw to within 5 fen and perform the Nine Yang count. This follows the principle of Yin traversing the Yang path, constituting Sedation first then Tonification. For Tonification, one must wait for heat sensation. For Sedation, one must wait for cold sensation.
Choutian Fa (Withdrawal and Addition Method)
After needle insertion, perform the Nine Yang count. Upon Qi arrival, slowly transition, lifting and pressing the needle, advancing or withdrawing, so that Qi follows the needle to the diseased area. Support the needle and insert straight, then push down again, reversing Yang and overturning Yin. It is also said: Choutian refers to the state of lifting, pressing, inserting, and withdrawing. "Chou" (Withdraw) is pulling out multiple times. "Tian" (Add) is pressing down multiple times. Select key acupoints, first perform the Nine Yang count. Upon obtaining Qi, follow exhalation with pressing and addition, and follow inhalation with lifting and withdrawal. The essence lies in agitation, insertion/withdrawal, and synchronization with respiration. By combining agitation/insertion-withdrawal with respiration, it is called the same method. Carefully adhere to the generative breath count for efficacy; this treats paralysis and hemiplegia.
Tiaoqi Fa (Regulating Qi Method)
Insert the needle to the Earth Layer, then emerge to the Human Layer. To make Qi ascend, twist the needle to the right; to make Qi descend, twist the needle to the left. For Tonification, exhale first then inhale; for Sedation, inhale first then exhale. If Qi does not arrive, use hand circling and grasping, nail pressing, and needle rocking, advancing/withdrawing, rubbing/twisting until Qi arrives. Use the Longhu Shengteng method: pressing ahead makes Qi lag behind; pressing behind makes Qi lead ahead, guiding Qi to the diseased site. Then use the Naqi (Retaining Qi) method: support the needle and insert straight, then push down again, preventing Qi from retreating. If joint blockage prevents Qi passage, use the Four Methods of Dragon, Tiger, Tortoise, and Phoenix to connect meridians and Qi, driving and moving it. Then use circling, grasping, and nail pressing; there will be no failure.
Jinqi Fa (Advancing Qi Method)
Insert the needle to the Heaven Layer, perform the Nine Yang count. Upon Qi arrival, quickly lay the needle flat. Wait for Qi to move, instruct the patient to inhale five to seven times, causing the needle Qi to ascend. This is the Advancing Qi method, treating pain in elbows, arms, waist, legs, and body. It can also treat migratory pain syndromes treated by Longhu Zhanjian; twisting left nine times and right six times is also a pain-stopping needle technique.
Naqi Fa (Retaining Qi Method)
Upon insertion, perform the advance/withdrawal counts. Upon obtaining Qi, lay the needle flat. Wait for Qi to move forward, urge it to the diseased site, then stand the needle upright and push down again, preventing Qi from escaping. It is also said: After insertion, if True Qi arrives, the needle feels slightly heavy and tight under the fingers, like a fish swallowing bait. Hold the needle with both hands, slowly press it down, directing the needle tip toward the disease, causing Qi to ascend to the diseased site. Support the needle and insert straight, then push down again, causing Qi to ascend without returning.
Liuqi Fa (Retaining Qi Method)
During needling, first insert to 7 fen and perform the Pure Yang count. If Qi arrives, insert deeper, extend and lift, then withdraw to the original position. If Qi arrives again, follow the previous method. This treats Pi Jia (accumulations and masses) disorders.