穴，于中庶得进退，方有准也。《难经》曰∶刺荣毋伤卫，刺卫毋伤荣。又曰∶刺荣无伤卫
者，乃掐按其穴，令气散，以针而刺，是不伤其卫气也。刺卫无伤荣者，乃撮起其穴，以针
卧而刺之，是不伤其荣血也。此乃阴阳补泻之大法也。
爪∶爪而下之，此则《针赋》曰∶左手重而切按，欲令气血得以宣散，是不伤于荣卫也
。右手轻而徐入，欲不痛之因，此乃下针之秘法也。
搓∶搓而转者，如搓线之貌，勿转太紧，转者左补右泻，以大指次指相合，大指往上，
进为之左，大指往下，退为之右，此则迎随之法也。故经曰∶迎夺右而泻凉，随济左而补暖
。此则左右补泻之大法也。
弹∶弹而努之，此则先弹针头，待气至，却退一豆许，先浅而后深，自外推内，补针之
摇∶摇而伸之，此乃先摇动针头，待气至，却退一豆许，乃先深而后浅，自内引外，泻
针之法也。故曰∶针头补泻。
扪∶扪而闭之。经曰∶凡补必扪而出之。故补欲出针时，就扪闭其穴，不令气出，使血
循∶循而通之。经曰∶凡泻针，必以手指于穴上四旁循之，使令气血宣散，方可下针，
故出针时，不闭其穴，乃为真泻。此提按补泻之法，男女补泻，左右反用。
捻∶捻者，治上大指向外捻，治下大指向内捻。外捻者令气向上而治病，内捻者令气向
下而治病。如出针，内捻者令气行至病所，外捻者令邪气至针下而出也。此下手八法口诀也
The acupoint, one must master the advancement and withdrawal at [Zhongshu] (Note: Text likely refers to general acupoints or depth control), thereby establishing a standard. The *Nan Jing* states: When penetrating Ying (Nutrient) Qi, do not injure Wei (Defensive) Qi; when penetrating Wei Qi, do not injure Ying Qi. It further states: To penetrate Ying without injuring Wei means to press the acupoint with the fingernail to disperse the Qi, then insert the needle, thus not injuring the Wei Qi. To penetrate Wei without injuring Ying means to pinch up the skin of the acupoint and insert the needle horizontally, thus not injuring the Ying Blood. This is the great method of Yin-Yang tonification and sedation.
Clawing (Zhua): Press with the claw before inserting. As stated in the *Zhen Fu*: The left hand presses heavily to allow the Qi and Blood to disperse, thereby not injuring Ying and Wei. The right hand inserts lightly and slowly to avoid pain. This is the secret method of needle insertion.
Rubbing (Cuo): Rub and rotate the needle handle, resembling the motion of twisting thread. Do not twist too tightly. Left rotation is tonification, right rotation is sedation. Join the thumb and index finger; pushing the thumb upward constitutes left advancement (tonification), while pulling the thumb downward constitutes right withdrawal (sedation). This is the method of Following and Opposing. Thus, the classic says: Opposing and reducing on the right brings coolness; Following and supplementing on the left brings warmth. This is the great method of left-right tonification and sedation.
Tapping (Tan): Tap to make the needle full. First tap the needle head. After Qi arrives, withdraw the needle slightly (about the size of a bean). Advance from shallow to deep, pushing from outside to inside. This is the method for tonifying needles.
Shaking (Yao): Shake and extend. First shake the needle head. After Qi arrives, withdraw the needle slightly (about the size of a bean). Withdraw from deep to shallow, drawing from inside to outside. This is the method for sedating needles. Thus, it is said that this involves manipulating the needle head for tonification and sedation.
Closing (Men): Close by pressing. The classic states: For all tonification methods, one must press upon withdrawing the needle. Therefore, when preparing to withdraw the needle for tonification, close the acupoint by pressing, preventing Qi from escaping, so that Blood follows its normal course.
Tracing (Xun): Trace to unblock. The classic states: For all sedation methods, one must use fingers to trace around the four sides of the acupoint, causing Qi and Blood to disperse, before inserting the needle. Therefore, upon withdrawing the needle, leaving the acupoint open constitutes true sedation. This is the method of lifting-thrusting tonification and sedation. The application of tonification and sedation differs between men and women, and between left and right sides.
Twisting (Nian): Twisting the needle. For treating upper body conditions, twist outward with the thumb; for lower body conditions, twist inward with the thumb. Outward twisting directs Qi upward to treat disease; inward twisting directs Qi downward to treat disease. Upon withdrawing the needle, inward twisting directs Qi to the site of disease, while outward twisting directs pathogenic Qi out from under the needle. These are the mantras of the Eight Methods of Needle Insertion.