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Qibo said: Acupuncturists do not necessarily perform pulse diagnosis but listen to the patients' descriptions. When the disease is located in the head, causing headache, the needle should be retained deeply (retaining needles), inserted to the bone level, and removed when the disease resolves; care must be taken not to damage the muscles, bones, or skin, as the skin serves as the pathway for needle insertion. The "Yin Stimulation" involves inserting the needle on one side and extracting it on the other, totaling four puncture points, used to treat alternating cold and heat (Yin Stimulation refers to sudden direct puncture). For diseases that are deep-seated and localized, one should puncture the Back-Shu points of the Zang organs; if the pathogen presses upon the Zang organs, puncture the Back-Shu points on the back. The needling should approach the viscera, as these points are where the Qi of the Zang organs converges; this method eliminates abdominal cold and heat, and needling ceases once resolved. The key to needling Back-Shu points is to allow slight bleeding after withdrawing the needle.

To treat ulcerated swellings, puncture the necrotic tissue. Depending on the size of the abscess, adjust the depth of insertion. For larger swellings, release more blood; for smaller ones, insert deeply. The needle must be held straight, and treatment continues until the condition resolves.

For accumulations in the lower abdomen, begin needling subcutaneously and proceed down to the lower abdomen. Additionally, puncture the spaces between the fourth vertebrae on both sides of the spine (note: some texts suggest the fifth vertebra, associating Xinshu with the lower abdomen) and between the iliac bones and costal margins on both sides, guiding the heat in the abdomen downward to achieve cure. If the disease is in the lower abdomen, presenting with abdominal pain and inability to urinate or defecate, it is named "Shan" (Hernia), caused by cold. Puncture the areas between the thighs and the lower abdomen, and between the lumbar and hip joints. Apply multiple punctures until a sensation of heat is generated, at which point the disease will resolve ("Jiong" means heat).

When the disease affects the tendons, causing tendon spasms, joint pain, and immobility, it is named "Jin Bi" (Tendinous Bi Syndrome). Puncture the affected tendons and the intermuscular spaces, avoiding the bone. If the pathology originates deeply, insert the needle deeply. A local sensation of heat indicates efficacy. If cold qi penetrates deeply, it is named "Gu Bi" (Osseous Bi Syndrome). For deep-seated conditions, the principle is to avoid damaging the vessels and muscles.

When diseases affect the Yang meridians, characterized by alternating chills and fever, and generalized sensations of alternating cold and heat in various muscle compartments, it is named "Kuang" (Mania, referring to chaotic Qi). Needling should aim to reduce excess in the pulses. Treatment stops when the heat in all muscle compartments subsides.

If a disease initially occurs once a year and remains untreated, it may occur once a month; if still untreated, it may occur four or five times a month. This is named "Dian Bing" (Epilepsy/Mania-Depression Syndrome). Puncture various muscle compartments and vessels. If there is no cold but only heat, needle once every three days for one hundred days to achieve a cure.

In cases of "Da Feng" (Great Wind, i.e., Leprosy), characterized by heavy joints and loss of eyebrows and beard, needle the muscle layer until sweating occurs for one hundred days. Then, needle the bone marrow layer until sweating occurs for another one hundred days. After a total of two hundred days, when the eyebrows and beard regrow, cease needling.