众痹各在其处。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。
(各
在其处。谓随聚而发也不能周遍上下。但或左或右。更发更休。患无定所。故曰众痹。)刺
此者。痛虽已止。必刺其处。勿令复起。(此言必刺其原痛之处也。)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。(能上能下。但随血脉而周遍于身。故曰周痹
。)痛从上下者。先刺其下以过之。后刺其上以脱之。痛从下上者先刺其上以过之。后刺其
下以脱之。(过者去之。之谓先去其标也。脱者拔绝之谓后拔其本也。)此风寒湿气客于外。
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。(邪气客于肌表渐
入分肉之间。则迫切津液而为汁沫。沫得寒。则聚而不散。故排裂肉理为痛)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(痛则心注其处故神归之。神归即
气归。故热热则寒散而痛暂解。其气尚逆而为厥。厥则三气随血脉以上下者。或痛从上而下
。或痛从下而上。则彼之为痹。发于血脉之中非若众痹之左右移易也。)此内不在脏而外未
发于皮独居分肉之间。真气不能周。(即一身之痛症)故命曰周痹。(周身气闭也。)故刺痹者
。必先切侑其下之六经。(足六经也。)及大络之血结而不通。(宜泻之)及虚而脉陷。空者而
调之。(宜补之。)熨而通之。(寒凝而气不周者宜之。)其螈坚转。(螈急转筋之谓)引而行之
(针引其气而行之也。)
Zhongbi (a type of Bi syndrome characterized by fixed pain sites that alternate in onset) each remains at its respective location. It alternates in onset and cessation; it alternates in resting and rising. Symptoms on the right correspond to those on the left, and symptoms on the left correspond to those on the right. It is not capable of circulating throughout the body. It alternates in onset and rest.
(Note: "Each remains at its respective location" means that pain arises where pathogenic factors gather. It cannot circulate extensively up and down the body, but rather occurs alternatively on the left or right, alternating in onset and rest, with no fixed site of affliction. Hence, it is called Zhongbi.)
To treat this, even if the pain has ceased, one must still needle the original site of pain to prevent recurrence. (This states that one must needle the site where the initial pain occurred.)
Zhoubi (a type of Bi syndrome that moves along the blood vessels and circulates throughout the body) resides within the blood vessels. It follows the meridians upward and downward but does not correspond separately to locations on the left and right like Zhongbi. (It can move up and down, circulating throughout the body via the blood vessels, hence it is called Zhoubi.)
When pain develops from above downward, first needle the lower part to obstruct the pathogenic progression, then needle the upper part to eradicate the root cause. When pain develops from below upward, first needle the upper part to obstruct the pathogenic progression, then needle the lower part to eradicate the root cause. ("Guo" refers to removing the pathogen, specifically addressing the branch/symptom first; "Tuo" refers to severing the root, specifically addressing the root cause later.)
This occurs because Wind, Cold, and Dampness pathogens invade the exterior and lodge between the fenrou (muscle intervals), pressing upon fluids to form foam. The foam aggregates when exposed to Cold; aggregation causes pressure on the fenrou, leading to separation. Separation results in pain. (Pathogens lodging in the muscle surface gradually enter the fenrou, pressing fluids into juice and foam. When the foam encounters Cold, it aggregates and does not dissipate, thereby pressing and splitting the muscle texture to cause pain.)
When there is pain, the Shen (Spirit/Mind) focuses on the affected area. When the Shen focuses on the area, heat is generated. When there is heat, the pain resolves temporarily. When the pain resolves, Jue (Qi reversal/stagnation) occurs. Jue leads to the manifestation of other Bi syndromes, which present in this manner. (When in pain, the heart-mind focuses on the site, so the Shen returns there. Shen returning implies Qi returning; thus, heat is generated. Heat disperses Cold, temporarily relieving pain. However, the Qi remains rebellious, causing Jue. Jue allows the three pathogens to follow the blood vessels up and down; pain may transmit from top to bottom or bottom to top. This Bi manifests within the blood vessels, unlike Zhongbi which shifts between left and right.)
This condition is internally not located in the Zang-Fu organs and externally has not yet manifested in the skin; it resides solely between the fenrou, preventing the True Qi from circulating freely throughout the body. (Referring to systemic pain syndromes.) Therefore, it is named Zhoubi. (Blockage of Qi circulation throughout the body.)
Therefore, when treating Bi syndrome, one must first palpate and guide the Six Meridians of the Foot. (Referring to the six foot meridians.) As well as the large collaterals where blood is knotted and obstructed. (Should be treated with draining methods.) And those that are deficient, with sunken and empty pulses. (Should be treated with tonifying methods.)
Use moxibustion/heat therapy (Wen) to unblock the meridians. (Suitable for cases where Cold coagulation prevents Qi circulation.) For cases of muscle twitching and tendon contraction/spasm. (Meaning acute twitching and tendon turning.) Guide the Qi through needling manipulation. (Using needles to guide the Qi to promote its circulation.)