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For tonification in cases of excess, deep insertion is required; the puncture site should be pressed rarely to allow the pathogenic factor to be completely expelled. For deficiency, shallow insertion is used to nourish the meridians, and the puncture site should be pressed quickly to prevent the pathogenic factor from entering. When the pathogenic factor arrives, the sensation is tight and rapid; when the Guqi (Grain Qi, representing healthy qi) arrives, the sensation is slow and harmonious. If the pulse is excess, deep insertion is used to drain the qi. If the pulse is deficiency, shallow insertion is used so that essence and qi are not lost, thereby nourishing the meridians and exclusively expelling the pathogenic factor. In needling various pain conditions, the pulses are all excess. Therefore it is said: Above the waist, the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian govern these areas. Below the waist, the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian govern these areas. For diseases located above, points below should be selected; for diseases located below, points above should be selected. For diseases in the head, points on the feet should be selected; for diseases in the waist, He-sea points should be selected. Diseases originating in the head cause heaviness in the head; those originating in the arms cause heaviness in the arms; those originating in the feet cause heaviness in the feet. To treat disease, one must first needle the site where the disease originated. The Qi of Spring resides in the hair follicles, the Qi of Summer in the skin, the Qi of Autumn in the muscle layers, and the Qi of Winter in the sinews and bones. When needling these diseases, the depth should correspond to the season. Thus, for obese individuals, the depth standard of Autumn and Winter is used; for thin individuals, the depth standard of Spring and Summer is used. Pain is Yin; if pressing with the hand does not locate a specific tender point, it is a Yin syndrome requiring deep insertion. Diseases above are Yang; diseases below are Yin. Itching is Yang and requires shallow insertion. If the disease originates in the Yin aspect, treat the Yin first, then the Yang; if it originates in the Yang aspect, treat the Yang first, then the Yin. In needling Re Jue (Heat Jue), retaining the needle induces a cold sensation; in needling Han Jue (Cold Jue), retaining the needle induces a heat sensation. For Re Jue, two Yin meridians and one Yang meridian are selected; for Han Jue, two Yang meridians and one Yin meridian are selected. "Two Yin" means needling two Yin meridians; "one Yang" means needling one Yang meridian. For chronic diseases where the pathogenic factor has penetrated deeply, deep insertion and long retention are required, followed by treatment every other day. One must first regulate the Qi and Blood of the left and right sides, remove stagnant blood vessels, and the principles of needling will be complete. Generally, in needling, one must observe the patient's form and Qi. If the flesh has not wasted away but there is little Qi and the pulse is restless, accompanied by Jue (reversal/cold extremities), Miu Ci (Lateral Puncture/Mirror Needling) must be used. For pulses located deeply and not visible superficially, needling is performed with slight insertion and long retention to guide the Qi of the empty vessel; for superficial pulses, do not needle. Press to occlude the pulse before needling, preventing the loss of essence and exclusively expelling the pathogenic factor. The concept of "three insertions" leading to the emergence of Guqi refers to: first, shallow insertion through the epidermis to expel Yang pathogens; second, slightly deeper insertion through the epidermis to reach the muscle layer but not yet into the intermuscular spaces, at which point Yin pathogens are expelled; once the intermuscular spaces are entered, Guqi emerges. Therefore, the needling method states: initially, shallow insertion is used to drive out pathogenic factors and mobilize Blood and Qi; subsequently, deeper insertion is used to draw out Yin pathogens; finally, extreme depth is reached to guide Guqi. This is what is meant.