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The appropriate applications of the Nine Needles each have specific functions, and their lengths and sizes are applied differently. For heat syndromes, use the Chan Needle (Chanzhen, a needle with a sharp tip); for cold syndromes, use the Hao Needle (Haozhen, a fine and long needle); for excess syndromes, use the Feng Needle (Fengzhen, a triangular-edged needle); for deficiency syndromes, use the Yuanli Needle (Yuanlizhen, a needle that is thicker and sharper); for carbuncles, use the Pi Needle (Pizhen, a needle shaped like a sword). The Chan Needle is used to drain Yang Qi; the Yuan Needle is used for rubbing between muscle compartments without damaging the muscles, thereby draining the pathogenic Qi from the intermuscular spaces; the Yuan Round Needle (Yuanyuanzhen, a needle with an oval head) is mainly used for pressing on meridians without sinking in, to guide Zheng Qi and prevent pathogenic factors from sinking deeper; the Feng Needle is used to treat chronic diseases; the Pi Needle is used to drain large amounts of pus; the Yuanli Needle is used to dispel sudden onset of pathogenic Qi; the Hao Needle treats itching and painful Bi syndrome by waiting quietly for Qi arrival, inserting slowly, and retaining lightly for a long time; the Chang Needle (Changzhen, a longer needle) can treat deep-seated Bi syndrome; the Da Needle (Dazhen, a thick needle) is used to drain water accumulation in joints. When the disease is in the skin, use the Chan Needle; do not use it if the skin at the lesion site is pale. When the disease is in the intermuscular spaces, use the Yuanli Needle; do not use it if the skin at the lesion site is dark. When the disease involves Qi and Blood in the vessels, requiring slight tonification, use the Yuan Round Needle at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points. For diseases involving large accumulations of pus, use the Pi Needle. For diseases involving sudden onset of Bi Qi, use the Yuanli Needle. For diseases involving persistent pain from Bi Qi, use the Hao Needle. For diseases located in the interior or deep layers, use the Chang Needle. For edema that cannot cross the joints, use the Da Needle. Using small needles to treat large diseases yields little effect, while using large needles to treat small diseases causes much harm. Therefore, for conditions where pus and blood have already formed, only Bian Shi (stone knives) and the Pi Needle are suitable.

There are five types of needling methods, corresponding to the Five Zang Organs. The first is called Ban Ci (Half Puncture). Ban Ci involves shallow insertion and rapid withdrawal without damaging the muscles, resembling the pulling of hair, to extract Qi from the skin layer; this corresponds to the Lung. The second is called Bao Wen Ci (Leopard Pattern Puncture). Bao Wen Ci involves multiple insertions around the left, right, front, and back of the lesion, aiming at the vessels, to remove stagnant blood from the collaterals; this corresponds to the Heart. The third is called Guan Ci (Joint Puncture). Guan Ci involves direct insertion into the tendons at the ends of the joint on both sides to treat tendon Bi, taking care not to cause bleeding; this corresponds to the Liver. It is also known as Yuan Ci or Qi Ci. The fourth is called He Gu Ci (Valley Convergence Puncture). He Gu Ci involves oblique insertion to the left and right, forming a chicken-foot shape, inserted between muscle compartments to treat muscle Bi; this corresponds to the Spleen. The fifth is called Shu Ci (Transport Puncture). Shu Ci involves direct insertion and withdrawal, penetrating deeply to the bone, to treat bone Bi; this corresponds to the Kidney.