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Dongyuan's acupuncture methods are entirely based on the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) and the *Nan Jing* (Classic of Difficult Issues). Physicians in recent times only read chants such as the *Yulong Ge* (Jade Dragon Song), *Jinzhen Fu* (Golden Needle Ode), and *Biao You Fu* (Standard of Profoundness), but neglect what Master Dongyuan taught.

Dongyuan said: The *Huangdi Zhenjing* records that stomach diseases manifest as pain in the epigastrium corresponding to the heart, radiating upward to support both hypochondria, obstruction in the diaphragm and pharynx, and inability to swallow food. Treatment should involve selecting the ST36 (Zusanli) acupoint and applying the tonification method.

When Spleen and Stomach Qi are weak, dampness is contracted leading to flaccidity syndromes (Wei syndrome), with profuse sweating and impaired appetite. Treatment involves selecting ST36 (Zusanli) and ST30 (Qichong) acupoints, using a three-edged needle for bloodletting. If sweating does not cease, bleed at the Shanglian point located three cun below ST36. Alcohol and wheat products must be prohibited.

Dongyuan said: The *Huangdi Zhenjing* states: "For conditions rising from below, guide them away." When Upper Jiao Qi is insufficient, push and elevate it. The so-called Upper Jiao Qi refers to the Upper Jiao region governed by the Heart and Lung.

In needling, draining the stagnation in meridians and collaterals addresses cases where blood coagulates and fails to flow; thus, one first removes the stagnation before treating other diseases.

Dongyuan said: When Stomach Qi sinks, the Qi of the Five Zang organs becomes chaotic, and various pathologies appear alternately. The Yellow Emperor asked: Is there a principle for needling the Five Disorders (disorder of Qi in Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney)? Qibo answered: Yes.

For the Shu-stream points of the Shaoyin Pericardium meridian, Shenmen (HT7) and Daling (PC7), harmonize Jing and guide Qi to restore its original position.

When Qi rebels in the Lung, select the Ying-Spring point of the Hand Taiyin Lung meridian, Yuji (LU10), and the Shu-stream point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian, Taixi (KI3). For flaccidity syndromes caused by this, guide warm heat to draw Stomach Qi out through the Yang pathways, preventing Damp Earth from overacting on Kidney Water. This point is located at Taixi (KI3).

When Qi rebels in the intestines and stomach, select points on the Foot Taiyin Spleen and Foot Yangming Stomach meridians. If ineffective, select ST36 (Zusanli), LR13 (Zhangmen), and CV12 (Zhongwan). Because the Foot Taiyin Spleen is deficient, treatment should focus on the Front-Mu points. If Qi rebellion causes cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, select ST36 (Zusanli); stop when Qi descends, or continue if it has not descended.

When Qi rebels in the head, select BL11 (Tianzhu) and BL12 (Dazhu). If deficiency is present, select the Ying-Spring point Tonggu (BL65) and Shu-stream point Shugu (BL60) of the Foot Taiyang Bladder meridian. First select BL11 (Tianzhu) and BL12 (Dazhu), neither tonifying nor reducing, but guiding the pathogen away.

When Qi rebels in the arms and legs, first bleed the collateral vessels, then select the Ying-Spring and Shu-stream points Erjian (LI2) and Sanjian (LI3) of the Yangming and Shaoyin meridians. Deeply needle Neiting (ST44) and Xianggu (ST43) to drain Yin Fire. This is the method of guiding Qi and harmonizing Jing.

The Yellow Emperor asked: How are tonification and reduction performed? Answer: Slow insertion and slow withdrawal is called Guiding Qi. Tonification and reduction without form is called Harmonizing Jing. This does not refer to excess or deficiency patterns, but to rebellious Qi. The Yellow Emperor said: Truly profound is this Dao! Clearly asked is this question. Please record it on the Jade Tablet, naming it "Treating Chaos."

Dongyuan said: Treat Yang diseases via Yin, and Yin diseases via Yang. The *Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun* states: Examine Yin and Yang to distinguish soft and hard. Treat Yin diseases via Yang, and Yang diseases via Yin.

External pathogens enter from outside, affecting the Fu organs on the back. This represents external pathogenic factors invading the body. There are two explanations. Pathogens entering Yang channels flow into the meridians. Such diseases begin with external Cold and ultimately transform into external Heat. Therefore, to treat Wind-Cold pathogens, one treats the Back-Shu points of the respective Zang organs, not just for Wind-Cold. The Six Excesses (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) affect the Five Zang organs, damaging sinews, bones, blood, and vessels, each having corresponding Back-Shu points on the back for removal. Regarding Cold Damage (Shanghan), following Zhang Zhongjing: for Eight Winds, refer to the *Feng Lun*; for Summerheat, treat the Small Intestine Back-Shu point on the back; for Dampness, treat the Stomach Back-Shu point; for Dryness, treat the Large Intestine Back-Shu point. These are all excess conditions caused by external Six Excesses pathogens, treated by draining the Back-Fu Shu points. If the disease persists and transforms, presenting with deficiency or excess, follow the transformation of the disease, adjusting tonification and reduction accordingly, focusing only on the Back-Fu Shu points. In cases of Upper Heat and Lower Cold, the Classic states: Yin disease in Yang should be drawn from Yang to Yin. One must first remove blood stasis from the collaterals and sinews. If Yin Fire is excessive and rises to Heaven, causing the Six Yang channels to remain hyperactive rather than descending, first remove blood stasis from the Five Zang organs and guide it downward. When Heavenly Qi descends, the Lower Cold pathology will naturally resolve. Do not solely drain the Six Yang channels. This condition is Yang hyperactivity fueled by Yin Fire pathogens. Only remove the Yin Fire and the pathogens in the collaterals and sinews; do not err. Yang diseases in Yin should be drawn from Yin to Yang; this involves cold and heat from food and drink, which damage the Six Fu organs when contracted. It is also stated: Irregular diet and physical labor cause Yin Fire to attack Kun Earth (Spleen/Stomach), preventing Grain Qi, Ying Qi, Clear Qi, Stomach Qi, and Yuan Qi from ascending to nourish the Yang Qi of the Six Fu organs. This results in the Five Yang Qi failing externally first. The exterior corresponds to Heaven, while the lower part lies dormant in Kun Earth Yin Fire. All this begins with injury from the Five Thieves (emotions: joy, anger, worry, grief, fear), followed by Stomach Qi stagnation, irregular diet and labor, subsequently injuring Yuan Qi. One should select the ST36 (Zusanli) and GV20 (Baihui - implied contextually or specifically Wei Shu + Zusanli as per text "Wei Shu He San Li") to push and elevate Qi to extend Yuan Qi. Thus it is said: Draw Yang from Yin. If Yuan Qi is severely deficient, treat the Front-Mu points of the Fu organs on the abdomen. If transmitted to the Five Zang organs, causing blockage of the Nine Orifices, treat the Front-Mu points of the respective Zang organs on the abdomen according to the specific orifice pathology. Thus it is said: Disharmony of the Five Zang arises from blockage of Yuan Qi in the Six Fu organs. It is also said: Disharmony of the Five Zang leads to blockage of the Nine Orifices, due to insufficient Yang Qi and excess Yin Qi. Thus: Yang cannot overcome Yin. All treatments of abdominal Front-Mu points address Yuan Qi deficiency, drawing Yang from Yin; do not err. Incorrectly tonifying the extremities or incorrectly reducing the extremities is wrong. Incorrect reduction is even more severe. According to Qibo, one should only select points on "Heaven," which refers to the human back, the Back-Shu points of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Reducing when one should not reduce—how could life be preserved? Reflecting on this chills the bone. If Six Excesses pathogens, Upper Heat/Lower Cold, or diseases of sinews, bones, skin, flesh, and blood vessels are mistakenly treated by selecting the He-Sea points of the Stomach or Front-Mu points of the abdomen, danger is certain. This is also Qibo's teaching; how can inferior physicians not be cautious?

Dongyuan said: Sanjiao (Triple Burner) Yuan Qi is weak. The *Huangdi Zhenjing* states: Insufficient Upper Qi leads to a feeling of emptiness in the brain, bitter ringing in the ears, dizziness of the head, and blurred vision.

Dongyuan said: A wealthy man suffered from foul odor in the anterior genitalia. Due to consecutive days of drinking alcohol, his abdomen was uncomfortable. He sought treatment from the Master. He said: The anterior genitalia is traversed by the Foot Jueyin Liver meridian. Draining Xingjian (LR2) in the Liver meridian treats the root. Subsequently, draining Shaochong (HT9) in the Heart meridian treats the branch.