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Yin contains Yin, and Yang contains Yang. If one can carefully discern Yin and Yang, there will be a method for acupuncture. Knowing where the disease originated provides principles for needling. One must cautiously assess the onset of the illness and align it with the timing of seasonal changes.

Internally, the body harmonizes with the Zang-Fu organs; externally, it harmonizes with the sinews, bones, skin, and flesh. Therefore, there is Yin and Yang internally, and there is also Yin and Yang externally. Internally, the Five Zang organs are Yin, and the Six Fu organs are Yang. Externally, the sinews and bones are Yin, and the skin and flesh are Yang. Thus, it is said that when the disease is in "Yin within Yin" (Yin pathology located in the Yin aspect), one should needle the Ying-Spring and Shu-Stream points of the Yin meridians (such as Yuji [LU10] and Dayuan [LU4] of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian). When the disease is in "Yang within Yang" (Yang pathology located in the Yang aspect), one should needle the He-Sea points of the Yang meridians (such as Quchi [LI11] of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian). When the disease is in "Yang within Yin" (Yang pathology located in the Yin aspect), one should needle the Jing-River points of the Yin meridians (such as Jingqu [LU8] of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, where the Qi is vigorous, representing Yang within Yin). When the disease is in "Yin within Yang" (Yin pathology located in the Yang aspect), one should needle the collateral vessels (such as Pianli [LI6] of the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine Meridian). Thus, it is said that diseases in the Yang aspect are named Feng (Wind); diseases in the Yin aspect are named Bi (Obstruction); diseases affecting both Yin and Yang are named Feng-Bi.

If the disease presents with visible form but no pain, it belongs to the Yang category (the disease is shallow and external). If it presents with no visible form but with pain, it belongs to the Yin category (the disease is deep and internal). In cases of formless pain, the Yang Qi is intact while the Yin Qi is injured; therefore, urgently treat the Yin and do not attack the Yang. In cases of visible form without pain, the Yin Qi is intact while the Yang Qi is injured; therefore, urgently treat the Yang and do not attack the Yin. (This principle applies to all treatments involving exterior-interior and deficiency-excess patterns.) If both Yin and Yang Qi are disturbed (indicating both exterior and interior are diseased), symptoms appear intermittently and irregularly, accompanied by vexation and heart distress, this is called "Yin prevailing over Yang" (Yin pathology is more severe than Yang pathology). This condition is termed "neither exterior nor interior," and the patient's life will be short. (If one seeks to treat the exterior, the interior is also diseased; if one seeks to treat the interior, the exterior is also diseased. Because both Yin and Yang are damaged, it is called neither exterior nor interior, making treatment difficult, and the physical form will soon perish.)

Cold and Wind pathogens injure the physical form; worry, fear, anger, and resentment injure the Qi. Injury to Qi leads to injury of the Zang organs, resulting in Zang disease. Cold injuring the form corresponds to injury of the form. Wind injuring the sinews and vessels corresponds to injury of the sinews and vessels. This demonstrates the correspondence between form and Qi, inside and outside.

For a disease lasting nine days, three needleings will suffice. For a disease lasting one month, ten needleings will suffice. The number of needleings and the duration of treatment are calculated based on this ratio. For chronic Bi syndrome that persists in the body, observe the blood collaterals and drain the blood completely.

Needling the Ying (Nutrient) level aims to release blood; needling the Wei (Defensive) level aims to release Qi; needling Cold-Bi aims to generate internal heat (for Cold-Bi lingering in the meridians, needling should induce internal heat). Diseases of the Ying level manifest as alternating cold and fever, deficiency of Qi and Blood, and abnormal movement of Qi up and down. Diseases of the Wei level manifest as migratory pain, chest oppression, and borborygmus (rumbling in the intestines). When Cold and Wind pathogens lodge in the intestines and stomach, Cold-Bi arises. If Cold-Bi lingers and does not depart, it causes periodic pain and numbness of the skin.

For commoners ("cloth-clad"), treat with fire-needle cauterization. For nobles ("great persons"), treat with herbal compresses. (This clarifies the methods mentioned above for generating internal heat when treating Cold-Bi.)