金针赋云。过关过节。催运气以飞经走气。其法有四。一曰青龙摆尾。如扶船舵。不进
不退
苍龟探穴。如入土之象。一退三进。钻剔四方。四曰赤凤迎源。展翅之仪。入针至地。提针
至天。候针自摇。复进其穴。上下左右。四围飞旋。病在上。吸而退之。病在下。呼而进之
按此法亦巧立名色而已。求针之明。为针之晦。
金针赋云。先须爪按。重而切之。次令咳嗽一声。随咳下针。凡补先呼气。初针刺至皮
肉。
处。
在其中矣。凡泻者吸气。初针至天。少停进针。直至于地。得气泻之。再停良久。却须退针
复至于人。待气沉紧。倒针朝病。法同前矣。及夫调气之法。下针至地。之后。复人之分。
欲气上行。将针右捻。欲气下行。将针左捻。欲补先呼后吸。欲泻先吸后呼。气不至者。以
手循摄。以爪切掐。以针摇动。进捻搓弹。直待气至。以龙虎升腾之法。按之在前。使气在
后。按之在后。使气在前。运气走至疼痛之所。以纳气之法。扶针直插。复向下纳。使气不
回。若关节沮涩。气不过者。以龙虎龟凤。通经接气。大段之法。驰而运之。仍以循摄爪切
。无不应矣。此通仙之妙。
按素问有浅深法。而此曰天地人三才者。是亦九针论意也。
医经国小云。先说平针法。含针口内温。按揉令气散。掐穴放教深。持针安穴上。令他
嗽一
针向病。针退天地人。补必随经刺。令他吹气频。随吹随左转。逐归天地人。待气停针久。
三弹更熨温。出针口吸气。急急闭其门。泻欲迎经取。吸则纳其针。吸则须右转。他次进天
人。转针仍复吸。根据法再停针。出针吹出气。摇动大其门。
The *Jin Zhen Fu* (Golden Needle Ode) states: When needling passes through joints and acupoints, to urge the movement of Qi and guide it along the meridians (Fei Jing Zou Qi), there are four methods. The first is called Qing Long Bai Wei (Green Dragon Wags Tail), resembling steering a ship's rudder, neither advancing nor retreating; the second is called Cang Gui Tan Xue (Tortoise Probes the Cave), resembling entering the soil, one retreat followed by three advances, drilling and scraping in all directions; the third is Chi Feng Ying Yuan (Red Phoenix Welcomes the Source), with the posture of spreading wings, inserting the needle to the Earth level, lifting it to the Heaven level, waiting for the needle to shake naturally, then re-inserting into the point, spirating around in the upper, lower, left, and right directions. For diseases located in the upper part, withdraw the needle during inhalation; for diseases in the lower part, insert the needle during exhalation.
Commentary: These methods are merely cleverly coined names. Seeking clarity in needling techniques instead renders them obscure.
The *Jin Zhen Fu* further states: Before insertion, one must first press with the fingernail, cutting firmly into the point. Then, have the patient cough once, and insert the needle following the cough. For tonification (Bu), begin with exhalation; initially insert the needle between the Skin and Flesh levels. For sedation (Xie), begin with inhalation; initially insert the needle to the Heaven level, pause briefly, then advance to the Earth level. Upon obtaining De Qi (arrival of Qi), perform sedation. Pause for a considerable time, then withdraw the needle to the Human level. Wait until the Qi sensation becomes deep and tight, invert the needle tip towards the disease site, using the same method as before. Regarding the method of regulating Qi: after inserting to the Earth level, withdraw to the Human level. To move Qi upward, rotate the needle to the right; to move Qi downward, rotate to the left. For tonification, exhale first then inhale; for sedation, inhale first then exhale. If Qi does not arrive, use hand circling, nail pressing, needle shaking, advancing, twisting, rubbing, and flicking until Qi arrives. Use the Long Hu Sheng Teng (Dragon and Tiger Ascending and Rising) method: pressing anteriorly makes Qi follow posteriorly; pressing posteriorly makes Qi follow anteriorly. Guide the regulated Qi to the painful area. Use the Na Qi (Gathering Qi) method: hold the needle straight and insert, then push down to gather, preventing Qi from scattering. If joint obstruction causes Qi stagnation, employ the major methods of Long, Hu, Gui, and Feng to connect meridians and Qi, operating them calmly, while still combining circling and nail-pressing techniques, which will invariably be effective. This is a miraculous technique akin to Tong Xian.
Commentary: The *Su Wen* contains methods of depth, whereas this text discusses the Heaven-Human-Earth Three Realms method, which aligns with the intent of the *Jiu Zhen Lun*.
The *Yi Jing Xiao Shi* states: First, describe the Ping Zhen Fa (Neutral Needling Method). Warm the needle in the mouth, massage the point to disperse Qi, press deeply into the acupoint, hold the needle over the point, and have the patient cough once. Insert the needle towards the disease. Withdraw the needle through the Heaven, Human, and Earth levels. Tonification requires needling along the meridian direction, having the patient blow frequently, turning left with each blow, gradually returning through the Heaven, Human, and Earth levels. After the Qi settles and the needle remains for a while, flick the needle three times and apply warmth. Upon withdrawal, have the patient inhale and quickly close the pore. Sedation requires taking points against the meridian flow, inserting during inhalation, turning right during inhalation, re-entering the Heaven and Human levels, turning the needle while continuing to inhale. Follow this method, pause again, and upon withdrawal, have the patient exhale, shaking the needle to enlarge the opening.