人之有常病也。亦因其骨节皮肤腠理之不坚固者。邪之所舍也。故常为病也。
大忍痛与不忍痛者。皮肤之薄浓。肌肉之坚脆。缓急之分也。非勇怯之谓也。
人之骨强。筋弱。肉缓。皮肤浓者。耐痛。其于针石之痛。火 亦然。( 音泄。艾火
烧灼。)坚肉薄皮者。不耐针石之痛。于火 亦然。
背中大 。在杼骨之端。肺 在三焦之间。心 在五焦之间。膈 在七焦之间。肝 在
之间。脾 在十一焦之间。肾 在十四焦之间。皆挟脊相去三寸所。则欲得而验之。按其处
应在中而痛解。乃其 也。灸之则可。刺之则不可。气盛则泻之。虚则补之以火补者。毋吹
其火。须自灭也。以火泻者。疾吹其火。传其艾。须其火灭也。
气之逆顺者。所以应天地阴阳四时五行也。脉之盛衰者。所以候血气之虚实有余不足也
。刺之大约者。必明知病之可刺。与其未可刺。与其已。不可刺也。(已者言病既已也。)
贼风邪气之伤人也。令人病焉。尝有所伤于湿气。藏于血脉之中。分肉之间。久留而不
去。
若有所堕坠。恶血在内而不去。卒然喜怒不节饮食不适。寒温不时。腠理闭而不通。其开而
遇风寒。则血气凝结。与故邪相袭。则为寒痹。其有热则汗出。汗出则受风。虽不遇贼风邪
气。必有因加而发焉。
The reason why people often suffer from chronic diseases is also due to the lack of firmness in their bones, joints, skin, and Couli (the spaces between skin and muscle where pathogens may lodge). Since this is where pathogens reside, it is naturally prone to disease.
Those who can endure pain greatly versus those who cannot differ in the thickness of their skin, the firmness or fragility of their muscles, and the tension or laxity of their flesh; this is not a matter of courage or timidity.
Individuals with strong bones, weak sinews, loose flesh, and thick skin are able to endure pain. They can tolerate the pain of acupuncture needles and stone tools (Bianshi), as well as moxibustion (Moxa burning/scalding). Conversely, those with firm flesh and thin skin cannot tolerate the pain of needles and stone tools, nor can they tolerate moxibustion.
The Ge Shu (Diaphragm-Shu) point on the back is located at the end of the vertebral processes. The Fei Shu (Lung-Shu) point is located between the third and fourth vertebrae (Note: Text says "San Jiao" but anatomically corresponds to T3 level for Lung Shu in standard texts, here translated literally as per source structure regarding vertebral levels). The Xin Shu (Heart-Shu) point is located between the fifth and sixth vertebrae. The Ge Shu (Diaphragm-Shu) point is located between the seventh and eighth vertebrae. The Gan Shu (Liver-Shu) point is located between the ninth and tenth vertebrae. The Pi Shu (Spleen-Shu) point is located between the eleventh and twelfth vertebrae. The Shen Shu (Kidney-Shu) point is located between the fourteenth and fifteenth vertebrae. All these points flank the spine, spaced approximately three cun apart. To verify their location, press the area; if pressing relieves pain or elicits a specific sensation, that is the correct acupoint. Moxibustion is permissible, but needling is contraindicated. If Qi is excessive, apply the reducing method; if deficient, apply the tonifying method. For the tonifying method with fire, do not blow on the moxa; let it extinguish naturally. For the reducing method with fire, blow rapidly to accelerate combustion until the moxa extinguishes.
The flow of Qi (smooth or reversed) corresponds to the Yin and Yang, Four Seasons, and Five Phases of Heaven and Earth. The fullness or emptiness of the pulse serves to observe the excess or deficiency of Blood and Qi. The general principles of needling require knowing clearly which conditions are suitable for needling, which are not, and which have already resolved or are no longer treatable by needling ("Yi" refers to the disease having already resolved).
When Zefeng (thievish wind/pathogenic factors) injures the human body, it causes disease. One may have previously been injured by dampness, which hides within the blood vessels and between the muscle layers, lingering for a long time without departing. If there has been a fall causing evil blood (stasis) to remain inside, combined with sudden unregulated emotions (joy or anger), improper diet, and irregular exposure to cold and heat, the Couli become closed and obstructed. When the Couli open and encounter wind-cold, the Blood and Qi coagulate, combining with the existing pathogen to form Cold Bi (painful obstruction syndrome). If there is heat, sweating occurs; after sweating, one becomes susceptible to wind. Even without encountering thievish wind-pathogens, an attack will inevitably occur due to these precipitating factors.