帝曰∶周痹之在身也，上下移徙随脉，在上下左右相应，间不容空，愿闻此痛，在血脉
之中
耶，将在发肉之间乎？何以致是？其痛之移也，间不及下针，其 痛之时，不及定治，而痛已
止矣！何道使然？愿闻其故。岐伯曰∶此众痹也，非周痹也。曰∶顾闻众痹。曰∶此各在其处
，更发更止，更居更起，以右应左，以左应右，非能周也，更发更休也。曰∶刺之奈何？曰
∶刺此者，痛虽已止，必刺其处，勿令复起。曰∶善！愿闻周痹何如？曰∶周痹者，在于血脉
之中，随脉以上，随脉以下，不能左右，各当其所。曰∶刺之奈何？曰痛从上下者，先刺其
下以遏之后，刺其上以脱之。痛从下上者，先刺其上以遏之，后刺其下以脱之。帝曰∶善此
痛安生？何因而有名？曰∶风寒湿气，客于分肉之间，迫切而为沫，沫得寒则聚，聚则排分肉
而分裂也，分裂则痛，痛则神归之，神归之则热，热则痛解，痛解则厥，厥则他痹发，发则
如是。帝曰∶善。余已得其意矣，此内不在脏，而外未发于皮，独居分肉之间，真气不能周
，故命曰周痹。故刺痹者，必先切循其下之六经，视其虚实，及大络之血，结而不通，及虚
而脉陷空中者而调之，熨而通之，其螈坚转引而行之。帝曰∶善∶余已得其意矣，亦得其事
也！九者经巽之理，十二经脉阴阳之病也。
The Yellow Emperor said: When Zhou Bi (Generalized Bi Syndrome) occurs in the body, the pain migrates up and down following the meridians, corresponding between the upper/lower and left/right sides, with intervals so small that not even a space can fit. I wish to ask whether this pain lies within the blood vessels or between the muscles and flesh? How does it come about? When the pain shifts, there is not enough time to insert the needle; when the pain arises, there is not enough time to determine the treatment, yet the pain has already ceased! What is the mechanism behind this? I wish to hear the reason.
Qibo replied: This is Zhong Bi (Clustered Bi Syndrome), not Zhou Bi.
The Emperor said: Then tell me about Zhong Bi.
Qibo said: The pain of Zhong Bi is located at specific sites, alternating in onset and cessation, alternating in staying and rising. The right side corresponds to the left, and the left to the right. It does not circulate throughout the whole body but alternates in attack and rest.
The Emperor said: How should it be needled?
Qibo said: To needle this condition, even if the pain has ceased, one must still needle the site where the pain occurred, to prevent recurrence.
The Emperor said: Excellent! I wish to hear about Zhou Bi.
Qibo said: Zhou Bi resides within the blood vessels, moving up and down along the meridians, unable to spread left or right, each occurring at its corresponding location.
The Emperor said: How should it be needled?
Qibo said: If the pain moves from above downwards, first needle the lower part to block the path, then needle the upper part to eliminate the pathogen. If the pain moves from below upwards, first needle the upper part to block the path, then needle the lower part to eliminate the pathogen.
The Emperor said: Excellent! How is this pain generated? Why is it named Zhou Bi?
Qibo said: Wind, cold, and dampness pathogens invade and lodge between the fen rou (intermuscular spaces), pressing upon the fluids to form phlegm/droplets. These droplets gather when exposed to cold; gathering causes them to push against the fen rou, leading to separation. Separation results in pain. When pain arises, the spirit (Shen) focuses on the area; focus generates heat; heat alleviates the pain. Once the pain alleviates, Qi stagnation (Jue) occurs, causing other Bi syndromes to emerge. Thus, it manifests as described.
The Emperor said: Excellent. I have grasped the meaning. This pathology is internally not in the Zang-Fu organs, nor externally manifested in the skin, but resides solely between the fen rou. Because the True Qi cannot circulate fully, it is named Zhou Bi. Therefore, when treating Bi syndrome, one must first palpate and trace the six meridians below, observe their deficiency or excess, check for blood stasis in the large collaterals that is knotted and obstructed, and identify areas where the pulse is sunken and empty due to deficiency, then regulate them. Apply warming moxibustion or hot compresses (Wen) to unblock the channels. For muscle twitching, rigidity, or twisting, use traction and guidance to promote Qi flow.
The Emperor said: Excellent! I have grasped the meaning and mastered the methods! These nine principles are the laws of meridian compliance, and the diseases of Yin and Yang in the twelve primary meridians.