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(The character "Guan" (Official/Function) means to assume responsibility or manage, referring to the specific suitability of each of the Nine Needles.)

The applications of the Nine Needles vary; they differ in length and size, and each has its specific site of application. For pathogenic factors located in the skin with no fixed location, use the Di Needle (a blunt-tipped needle) at the affected area. Do not use this method if the skin appears pale. For pathogenic factors located between the muscles, use the Yuan Needle (round needle) at the affected area. For stubborn Bi-syndrome (obstruction syndrome) involving the meridians and collaterals, use the Feng Needle (three-edged needle). When the pulse qi is deficient and tonification is required, use the Di Needle at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points. For severe conditions involving suppuration (pus formation), use the Pi Needle (sword-shaped needle). For sudden onset of Bi-syndrome qi, use the Yuanli Needle (round-sharp needle). For Bi-syndrome pain that persists and does not resolve, use the Hao Needle (filiform needle). For diseases located internally, use the Chang Needle (long needle). For edema accompanied by blockage of the joints, use the Da Needle (large needle). For stubborn Bi-syndrome affecting the Zang organs, use the Feng Needle, applying reducing methods at the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu-Stream points, selecting acupoints according to the four seasons. (The previous text mentioned using the Feng Needle for stubborn meridian Bi-syndrome, targeting only meridian points; here, it refers to reducing the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, and Shu points, taking the four seasons into account.)

Generally, there are twelve categories of needling techniques, corresponding to the Twelve Meridians. The first is called Ou Ci (Even/Paired Puncture). Ou Ci involves pressing the chest (heart area) or the back at the site of pain, inserting one needle anteriorly and one posteriorly, to treat Xin Bi (Heart Bi-syndrome). This technique involves lateral insertion. The second is called Bao Ci (Reporting/Repeating Puncture). Bao Ci refers to repeated puncture. It is used for stabbing pain with no fixed location; if the pain moves up and down, insert the needle vertically without withdrawing it, press the moving pain site with the left hand, withdraw the needle, and re-puncture. The third is called Fu Ci (Floating Puncture). Fu Ci involves oblique insertion from the side and lifting/moving the needle anteriorly and posteriorly, to treat tendon stiffness. "Fu" implies superficiality. For tendon stiffness, multiple punctures must be made on the sides, lifting the needle, moving it forward or backward to diffuse the qi, thereby relieving the Bi-syndrome of the tendons. The fourth is called Qi Ci (Simultaneous Puncture). Qi Ci involves one vertical insertion in the center and two oblique insertions on either side (using three needles simultaneously), to treat shallow but deep-seated cold pathogens. It is also called San Ci (Three Punctures), which similarly treats shallow but deep-seated Bi-syndrome qi. The fifth is called Yang Ci (Dispersing Puncture). Yang Ci involves one vertical insertion in the center and four oblique insertions around it, all performed superficially, to treat extensive cold pathogens. "Yang" implies dispersing. Using five needles (one central, four peripheral) superficially helps disperse the cold. The sixth is called Zhi Zhen Ci (Straight Needle Puncture). Zhi Zhen Ci involves pulling the skin taut before inserting the needle (straight entry but shallow depth), to treat superficial cold pathogens. The seventh is called Shu Ci (Transporting Puncture). Shu Ci involves straight insertion and straight withdrawal (transporting and draining pathogenic factors using the sharp tip). It involves sparse needle insertion with deep penetration (prolonged retention time), to treat conditions characterized by excess qi and heat. The eighth is called Duan Ci (Short Puncture). Duan Ci is used for Gu Bi (Bone Bi-syndrome); the needle is slightly rocked and gradually inserted deeper (progressive approach), reaching the bone, where it is moved up and down to rub against the bone (firm friction). The ninth is called Fu Ci (Floating Puncture - distinct from the earlier Fu Ci). This technique involves oblique insertion from the side and superficial penetration, to treat muscle stiffness caused by cold. The tenth is called Yin Ci (Yin Puncture). Yin Ci involves symmetrical puncture on both left and right sides (unifying both sides), to treat Han Jue (Cold Reversal/Cold Extremities). In cases of Cold Reversal, puncture the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian behind the malleolus (to drain yin pathogens). The eleventh is called Bang Zhen Ci (Side-Needle Puncture). Bang Zhen Ci involves one vertical insertion and one lateral insertion, treating long-standing, fixed Bi-syndrome (vertical needle targets the meridian, lateral needle targets the collateral). The twelfth is called Zan Ci (Assisting Puncture). Zan Ci involves straight insertion and withdrawal, with multiple rapid, shallow punctures to induce bleeding, used to treat carbuncles and swellings. "Zan" implies assistance. Multiple shallow punctures assist in inducing bleeding.

For vessels located deeply and invisibly, insert the needle minutely and retain it for a long time to guide the empty vessel qi. For superficial vessels, do not puncture deeply; press to obstruct the vessel qi before puncturing. Do not deplete the essence; only expel the pathogenic qi.

Generally, there are five types of needling techniques, 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 flesh, resembling the plucking of hair, to obtain the qi of the skin layer. This corresponds to the Lung. The second is called Bao Wen Ci (Leopard-Spot Puncture), named for its multiple distribution like leopard spots. Bao Wen Ci involves puncturing around the left, right, front, and back, aiming at the blood vessels, to extract blood from the meridians and collaterals. This corresponds to the Heart. The third is called Guan Ci (Joint/Tendon Puncture). Guan Ci involves vertical insertion at the attachment points of the tendons on both sides to treat Jin Bi (Tendon Bi-syndrome); care must be taken to avoid bleeding (as blood nourishes the tendons). This corresponds to the Liver. It is also known as Yuan Ci or Qi Ci (ancient names). The fourth is called He Gu Ci (Valley Convergence Puncture). He Gu Ci involves inserting needles in a chicken-foot shape among the muscle layers to treat Ji Bi (Muscle Bi-syndrome). This corresponds to the Spleen. (He Gu Ci describes three or four needles converging like a chicken's foot. Since the pathogen is in the flesh, it corresponds to the Spleen.) The fifth is called Shu Ci (Transporting Puncture). Shu Ci involves straight insertion and straight withdrawal (meaning as previously described), penetrating deeply to the bone to treat Gu Bi (Bone Bi-syndrome). This corresponds to the Kidney.