《内经》、《难经》所传之针法，通乎造化之理者也。今世所传之针法，率多无稽之言，岂可相提并论。
然古经文意深奥，必须沉潜玩味，乃能得其精微。今人喜简厌繁，贪求浅近。其于
圣经视同虚文，孰肯留心于此。兹为普及针法计，取今世针法之近理，而为历代所传习，施之病患确有实效
者，择要论列，以便入门。所论各法，虽多为他书所同有，然于他书传讹之处，概行
订正。故针法之名称虽同，而所述之方法多异，学人幸勿以其近而忽之。
取穴既正，用左手大指掐穴，右手置针穴上，令嗽一声，随嗽内针，至分寸候，针数穴毕。停少时，用
右手大指及食指持针，细细动摇，进退搓拈，如手颤之状，谓之催气。约行五六次，觉针下沉紧，却用泻法。
令病患呼气一口，随呼转针，如针左边，以右手持针，大指推前，食指向后，轻提针头左转，如针数处，具根据
此法。转毕，仍用右大指食指持针，却用食指连搓三下，谓之飞。却轻提住针头左转，略退半分许，谓之三飞
一退。根据此行至五六次，觉针下沉紧，是气至极矣。再轻提住针头左转一二次，如针右边，以左手大指食指持
针，大指向前，食指向后根据前法轻提针头右转，是针右边泻法。欲出针时，令咳一声，随咳出针，此谓之泻。
补法则根据前法催气毕，觉针下气至，令病患吸气一口，随吸转针。如针左边，捻针头转向右边，以我之右手
大指食指持针，以大指向后，食指向前，仍捻针深入一二分，使真气深入肌肉之分。如针右边，捻针头转向左边
，以我之左手大指食指持针，食指向前，大指向后，仍捻针深入一二分。若针数穴，俱根据此法。
行毕，停少时，却用手指于针头上轻弹三下，如此三次。仍用我之左手大指食指持针，以大指连搓三下，谓之
飞。将针深入一二分，轻提针头，转向左边，谓之一进三飞。根据此法行五六次，觉针下沉紧，或针下气热，是
气至足矣。令病患吸气一口，随吸出针，急以手按其穴，此谓之补。
The acupuncture methods transmitted through the *Neijing* (Classic of Internal Medicine) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) are those that comprehend the principles of creation and nature. The acupuncture methods currently circulated in the world are mostly baseless statements; how can they be compared?
However, the meaning of ancient texts is profound and obscure; one must immerse oneself and ponder carefully to grasp their subtleties. Modern people prefer simplicity over complexity and seek shallow understanding. They regard the sacred classics as empty words, and who would bother to pay attention to them? In order to popularize acupuncture methods, I have selected those current methods that are reasonable, have been passed down and practiced through generations, and have proven effective on patients. I have selected key points for discussion to facilitate entry for beginners. Although the methods discussed here are largely similar to those in other books, errors in transmission found in other books have been corrected. Therefore, although the names of the acupuncture methods may be the same, the described techniques often differ. Students should not ignore them because they seem simple or close at hand.
Once the acupoints are accurately located, use the thumb of the left hand to press the point. Place the needle on the acupoint with the right hand. Ask the patient to cough once, and insert the needle following the cough. Wait until the prescribed depth is reached and *Deqi* (arrival of qi) occurs. After needling several points, pause for a moment. Hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the right hand, and gently shake, advance and retreat, rub, and twirl it, resembling the trembling of a hand. This is called *Cuqi* (prompting the arrival of qi). Perform this about five or six times. When a heavy and tight sensation is felt under the needle, proceed with the reducing method (*Xie Fa*). Ask the patient to exhale once, and rotate the needle following the exhalation. If needling the left side, hold the needle with the right hand: push forward with the thumb and pull back with the index finger, gently lifting the needle head and rotating left. If needling multiple points, follow this method. After rotation, still hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the right hand, then rub three times continuously with the index finger. This is called *Fei* (flying). Then gently lift the needle head and rotate left, retreating slightly by half a cun. This is called "Three Flies and One Retreat." Perform this five or six times. When a heavy and tight sensation is felt, the qi has reached its peak. Gently lift the needle head and rotate left one or two more times. If needling the right side, hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the left hand: push forward with the thumb and pull back with the index finger. Following the previous method, gently lift the needle head and rotate right. This is the reducing method for the right side. To withdraw the needle, ask the patient to cough once, and withdraw the needle following the cough. This is called reducing.
For the tonifying method (*Bu Fa*), follow the previous *Cuqi* method until the arrival of qi is felt under the needle. Ask the patient to inhale once, and rotate the needle following the inhalation. If needling the left side, twist the needle head to the right. Hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the right hand: push back with the thumb and forward with the index finger, still twisting the needle deeper by one or two fen, so that true qi penetrates deeply into the muscle layers. If needling the right side, twist the needle head to the left. Hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the left hand: push forward with the index finger and back with the thumb, still twisting the needle deeper by one or two fen. If needling multiple points, follow this method.
After completion, pause for a moment, then gently tap the top of the needle three times with your fingers, repeating this three times. Still hold the needle with the thumb and index finger of the left hand, and rub three times continuously with the thumb. This is called *Fei*. Insert the needle deeper by one or two fen, gently lift the needle head, and turn it to the left. This is called "One Advance and Three Flies." Perform this five or six times. When a heavy and tight sensation is felt under the needle, or when heat is felt under the needle, the qi is sufficient. Ask the patient to inhale once, and withdraw the needle following the inhalation. Immediately press the acupoint with your hand. This is called tonifying.