Library

Observing the way of acupuncture, the method for rapid efficacy is most wondrous. One must master tonification and sedation to rescue critical conditions. First distinguish the upper and lower aspects of the disease, then determine the high and low points of the acupoints.

For the head and feet, morning (early) belongs to Yang, and afternoon (late) belongs to Yin; when using them, one must recognize the timing. Before noon is early and belongs to Yang; after noon is late and belongs to Yin. The division of upper and lower in men and women is based on the waist. The Three Yang meridians of the hands and feet run from hand to head and from head to foot; the Three Yin meridians of the hands and feet run from foot to abdomen and from chest to hand. This is the mechanism of Yin ascending and Yang descending, and the entry and exit of Qi. Needling against the meridian flow constitutes Sedation (Xie, 泻) or "Meeting" (Ying, 迎); needling with the meridian flow constitutes Tonification (Bu, 补) or "Following" (Sui, 随). In Spring and Summer, needling should be shallow for thin individuals; in Autumn and Winter, needling should be deep for fat individuals. Furthermore, observing the thickness or thinness of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) makes determining the depth of insertion particularly appropriate.

Regarding the methods of tonification and sedation, their subtlety lies in respiration and finger movements. For male patients, advancing the thumb forward and rotating left while exhaling is Tonification; retreating backward and rotating right while inhaling is Sedation. [Text gap filled per standard text]: Lifting and shaking upon withdrawal is the method of needle removal; moving and advancing is the method of urging Qi; following and pinching is the method of circulating Qi. Twisting removes disease; flicking tonifies deficiency. Rotating around the abdomen and pressing closes the acupoint upon withdrawal. Pressing heavily by a bean's weight is "An" (Pressing); lifting lightly by a bean's weight is "Ti" (Lifting). These fourteen techniques comprise the essentials of needle manipulation. Tonification involves one retreat and three flights (flapping fingers), causing True Qi to return naturally; Sedation involves one flight and three retreats, causing Evil Qi to avoid naturally. Tonification supplements insufficiency; Sedation drains excess. Excess manifests as swelling and pain, termed Excess Syndrome (Shi, 实); insufficiency manifests as itching and numbness, termed Deficiency Syndrome (Xu, 虚). When Qi arrives quickly, efficacy is quick; when Qi arrives slowly, efficacy is slow. Life, death, wealth, and status can be known under the needle. Those of humble constitution are hard/stiff under the needle, while those of noble constitution are crisp/soft; those with vitality feel astringent, while those near death feel empty. If Qi does not arrive, death is certain.

As for the method of inserting the needle, first press firmly with the fingernail to cut and locate, then ask the patient to cough once, inserting the needle with the cough. For all tonification, insert during exhalation; initially prick to the skin layer (Heaven Level) as the limit, which constitutes tonification. After pausing for a while, withdraw the needle to the muscle layer (Human Level), wait for the Qi sensation to become heavy and tight, then invert the needle tip towards the disease. Advancing, retreating, coming and going, flying through meridians, and moving Qi are all contained herein. For all sedation, insert during inhalation; initially prick to Heaven Level, pause slightly, advance directly to Earth Level, obtain Qi, and perform sedation. After pausing for a while, withdraw the needle back to Human Level, wait for the Qi sensation to become heavy and tight, invert the needle tip towards the disease, following the same method as before. If fainting occurs due to needle insertion, it is because Shen Qi (Spirit Qi) is deficient. Apply tonification, wipe the mouth and nose with a sleeve to restore Qi, provide hot soup, wait a short while, then apply again according to the previous method.

Regarding the method of regulating Qi, after inserting to Earth Level, withdraw to Human Level. To move Qi upward, rotate the needle to the right; to move Qi downward, rotate the needle to the left. To make Qi reach the destination, use the Dragon-Horse Ascending Method: pressing in front makes Qi stay behind; pressing behind makes Qi come forward. Guide Qi to travel to the painful area. Use the Qi-Containing Method: hold the needle straight and insert, then push down to contain Qi so it does not retreat. If joint obstruction causes Qi stagnation, use the Dragon-Horse-Turtle-Phoenix Meridian-Unblocking and Qi-Joining Method. Generally driving and operating Qi, combined with following, pinching, and claw-cutting, will yield results. This is the miraculous method of Tong Xian.

Moreover, regarding needle removal: if the pathological trend has receded and the needle feels loose, but if the disease remains and the needle feels rooted, immovable when pushed, unturnable when rotated, this indicates Evil Qi is strong. Only then withdraw the needle slightly (bean-sized), shake, and pause. For tonification, remove quickly during inhalation and immediately press the acupoint closed; for sedation, remove slowly during exhalation and leave the acupoint open. To ensure dense couli (pores/skin texture), regulate Qi thereafter. Thus, it is said that inserting the needle should be slow; too fast injures Blood. Removing the needle should be gradual; too fast injures Qi. The above summaries all these essentials.

Examining the eight methods of treating diseases:
1. Burning Mountain Fire (Shao Shan Huo): Treats stubborn numbness and cold bi. Insert shallow then deep, use Nine Yang numbers, three advances and three retreats, slow lift and firm press. Combined with Nine-Six method, it is first tonify then sedate.
2. Penetrating Heaven Cool (Tou Tian Liang): Treats bone-steaming consumption fever. Insert deep then shallow, use Six Yin numbers, three withdrawals and three insertions, firm lift and slow press. Combined with Nine-Six method, it is first sedate then tonify.
3. Retaining Qi Method (Liu Qi Jue): Treats masses and accumulations. First tonify then sedate.
4. Yin within Yang: Treats initial heat followed by cold. Deep to shallow, use Six-Nine method, first sedate then tonify. Tonification requires heat arrival; sedation requires cold invasion. Like twisting thread, turn the needle slowly. Methods at shallow levels use shallow techniques; methods at deep levels use deep techniques. They cannot be mixed and confused.
5. Zi Wu Dao Jiu (Child-Noon Pestle): Treats water distension and diaphragmatic qi. After entering the acupoint, regulate Qi evenly. Move needle up and down, nine insertions and six withdrawals, rotate left and right. Ten cycles bring balance.
6. Advancing Qi Formula: Treats pain in waist, back, elbows, knees, and wandering pain throughout the body. Insert 9 fen, perform nine tonifications. Lay the needle horizontally for five to seven breaths, waiting for Qi to ascend. Can also use Dragon-Horse Battle method: left twist nine times, right twist six times. This is also a needle to stop pain.
7. Retaining Qi Formula: Treats jia pi (masses). Insert 7 fen, use pure Yang method, then insert straight. When Qi arrives, insert deeply, lift needle and pause.
8. Drawing and Adding Formula: Treats paralysis, sores, and leprosy. Select key acupoints, make Nine Yang obtain Qi, lift and press searching. The main point is to circulate Qi throughout. Hold needle straight, insert, then push down to return Yang and invert Yin. Subtlety under fingers, flexibility in mind. If no response, repeat.

If passing through joints and passes to urge Qi and Blood, using Flying Through Meridians and Moving Qi, there are four methods:
1. Green Dragon Wags Tail: Like holding a ship's rudder, no advance or retreat, swaying left and right.
2. White Tiger Shakes Head: Like a tiger shaking its head, shaking left and right.
3. Grey Turtle Probes Cave: Like entering soil, one retreat and three advances, drilling and scraping in four directions.
4. Red Phoenix Welcomes Source: Spreading wings posture. Insert to Earth, lift to Heaven, wait for needle to shake naturally, return to origin, fly and spin up, down, left, right. Disease in upper part: retreat during inhalation. Disease in lower part: advance during exhalation.

For chronic hemiplegia, the methods for connecting meridians and joining Qi have fixed breath counts and cun measurements. Hand and Foot Three Yang meridians: upper 9 cun, lower 14 cun, crossing meridians 4 cun. Hand and Foot Three Yin meridians... [text gap] ...can make cold warm and heat cool, stop pain and reduce distension. Like opening a canal to release water, efficacy is immediate. How could any critical condition fail to recover? The *Nan Jing* says: Diseases have three causes, all stemming from Qi and Blood. Acupuncture has eight methods, never departing from Yin and Yang. Meridians circulate day and night; respiration comes and goes without cease. Harmony leads to health; disharmony leads to disease. It is like countries, mountains, seas, fields, rivers, and valleys. If wind and rain are balanced in seasons, waterways are smooth, people are safe, and goods abundant. If wind and rain are uneven in a region, causing drought or flood, waterways dry up or surge and block, leading to disaster. Human Qi and Blood affected by the three causes are like regional droughts and floods. Acupuncture therefore unblocks meridians, balances Qi and Blood, dispels evil, and supports righteousness. Thus it is said that the rapid method is most wondrous.

Alas, Xuanyuan and Qibo are ancient, Lu Bian and Bian Que are dead. This path is profound and cannot be exhausted in one word. This text is detailed and meticulous, understood only through long practice. Are there sages in the world transmitting this to future learners? Practitioners of acupuncture who aspire to this, if they can thoroughly penetrate the mysteries and exhaust the subtleties, then bedridden patients in the world, if destined, will encounter needles removing disease instantly, healing with every movement.