Library

The *Bacui* records: For the reducing method, instruct the patient to cough once, then twist the needle and insert it into the *couli* (interstitial spaces between skin and muscle). As the patient inhales, insert the needle to a depth of six *fen*. When a heavy and obstructive sensation (*chen se*) is felt at the needle, guide the *qi* directly past the needling site by three *cun*. Slowly withdraw the needle as the patient exhales, without closing the acupoint (to allow the pathogenic factor to escape); this is called reducing. For the reinforcing method, instruct the patient to cough once, then twist the needle and insert it into the *couli*. As the patient exhales, insert the needle to a depth of eight *fen*. When a heavy and tight sensation (*chen jin*) is felt, withdraw the needle by one *fen*, resulting in an even heavier and tighter sensation. Rotate the needle head towards the diseased area with the palm facing up. Following the previous method, trace and palpate the diseased area until the *qi* arrives at the site. Withdraw the needle quickly as the patient inhales, and immediately press the acupoint (to prevent the loss of healthy *qi*); this is called reinforcing. (The "heavy and tight" mentioned above refers to the arrival of *qi*. Ancient texts state: If *qi* arrives quickly, the effect is quick; if *qi* arrives slowly, the effect is slow. If the awaited *qi* does not arrive, the condition becomes critical.) It is also said: Exhalation should not exceed three times, inhalation should not exceed five times.

The *Mingtang* records: When applying the reinforcing method, wait for the *qi* to arrive at the diseased area, then use the number of breaths corresponding to the generating cycle. Instruct the patient to inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. The patient will feel a cooling sensation in the affected area.

The *Shenying Jing* describes the needle rotation for the reducing method: When needling the left side of the body (for both men and women), the practitioner uses the right hand, pushing forward with the thumb and pulling backward with the index finger. When needling the right side, the practitioner uses the left hand, pushing forward with the thumb and pulling backward with the index finger. In both cases, rotating outward constitutes reducing. For the reinforcing method: When needling the left side, the practitioner uses the right hand, pushing forward with the index finger and pulling backward with the thumb. When needling the right side, the practitioner uses the left hand, pushing forward with the index finger and pulling backward with the thumb. In both cases, rotating inward constitutes reinforcing. Regarding the midline of the back: for men, rotating left is reinforcing and rotating right is reducing; for the midline of the abdomen, rotating right is reinforcing and rotating left is reducing. For women, regarding the midline of the back, rotating right is reinforcing and rotating left is reducing; for the midline of the abdomen, rotating left is reinforcing and rotating right is reducing. This is because the back is Yang and the abdomen is Yin for men, whereas the back is Yin and the abdomen is Yang for women. This distinction applies only to these specific areas due to gender differences.

For all reducing methods, numbers based on six are used, such as 1x6, 2x6, 3x6, 4x6, 5x6, 6x6. Some use 3x6, some use 6x6, differing accordingly. For all reinforcing methods, numbers based on nine are used, specifically three sets of 3x9, totaling 81 (9x9). Additionally, for treating heat conditions, needles are manipulated rapidly to dispel the pathogen; for treating cold conditions, the needles are retained for a longer duration. Lifting the needle (upward movement) constitutes reinforcing and generates heat; thrusting the needle (downward movement) constitutes reducing and generates cold.