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The three Yin meridians of the hand travel from the zang organs to the hands; the three Yang meridians of the hand travel from the hands to the head; the three Yang meridians of the foot travel from the head to the feet; the three Yin meridians of the foot travel from the feet to the abdomen. (From *Ling Shu*)

In the human body's meridians, the three Yang and three Yin meridians are distributed throughout the body: Taiyang (Greater Yang) and Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) are located at the posterior aspect of the body; Yangming (Bright Yang) and Taiyin (Greater Yin) are located at the anterior aspect; Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) and Jueyin (Terminal Yin) are located at the lateral aspects. (From *Dan Xin*)

There are "streets" (hubs/nodes) for Qi in the chest, abdomen, head, and lower legs. Therefore, when Qi is in the head, it terminates at the brain; when Qi is in the chest, it terminates at the anterior chest (Ying) and back Shu points; when Qi is in the abdomen, it terminates at the back Shu points and the pulsating arteries on either side of the umbilicus (Chong Mai); when Qi is in the lower legs, it terminates at the Qicheng point (Qichuan) and Chengshan point. For acupuncture treatment at these locations, use a filiform needle; once Deqi (arrival of Qi) is obtained, then proceed with needling. (From *Ling Shu*)

The classic states: If the left pulse is excessive, disease manifests on the right; if the right pulse is excessive, disease manifests on the left. If pain on the right persists while the left pulse shows signs of disease first, or if pain on the left persists while the right pulse shows signs of disease first, one must employ Ju Ci (Great Puncture). This is the most significant variation among the Five Shu points (Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Jing-River, He-Sea) for flexible application. Ju Ci refers to puncturing the main meridians. (From *Ru Men*)

The classic further states: When pathogenic factors invade the large collaterals, they flow from left to right and from right to left, moving unpredictably up, down, left, and right, without entering the main meridians. This is called Miu Ci (Erratic Puncture). Miu Ci involves puncturing the collaterals because the collaterals intersect and cross with the main meridians. If there is curling, spasm, or pain in the body but the pulse shows no abnormality, one should puncture the pathways where Yin and Yang intersect. (From *Ru Men*)

San Ci (Scattered Puncture) involves dispersing needles. It is used for miscellaneous diseases by selecting scattered acupoints according to the specific needs of the illness, initially disregarding fixed timing systems like Ziwiliuzhu (Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow). These are known as "Tian Ying Xue" (Heavenly Response Points), also referred to as Ashi points (Ah-Shi points) as mentioned in *Zisheng Jing*. (From *Ru Men*)

When pathogenic factors lodge in the meridians, causing pain on the left while the right pulse shows pathology first, apply Ju Ci, ensuring the needle reaches the meridian itself, not the collateral. If the disease is in the collateral, the pain location differs from that of the meridian, hence it is called Miu Ci. Both methods involve treating the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. Additionally, if the body has pain but all nine pulse positions show no abnormality, apply Miu Ci. Miu Ci always targets the collaterals of the various meridians. (From *Gang Mu*)

Among the vessels, there are Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) and Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel); Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel) and Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel); Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Du Mai (Governor Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), and Dai Mai (Belt Vessel). These eight vessels are not constrained by the regular meridians, thus they are called the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai). (From *Nan Jing*)

Diseases of the extraordinary vessels do not arise independently but result from Qi overflowing from the twelve regular meridians into them. This is analogous to sages digging ditches to contain floodwaters; when ditches overflow, water flows into deeper channels. Similarly, when human meridian Qi becomes abundant and flows into the extraordinary vessels without circulating normally, if pathogenic factors accumulate there, swelling and heat occur, requiring treatment with bian stone (stone lancet) bloodletting. (From *Gang Mu*)

The Du Mai, Chong Mai, and Ren Mai originate from the same source but diverge into three paths, all starting at the Qichong point (Acupoint). The Du Mai travels along the back, corresponding to Yang; the Ren Mai travels along the abdomen, corresponding to Yin; the Chong Mai rises from the foot to the head, surging upward, and is regarded as the Sea of the Twelve Meridians, commanding the Qi and Blood of all meridians. Since these three vessels originate from Qichong, which derives from the Stomach Meridian, it is evident that Stomach Qi is the root. (From *Ru Men*)

The Yang Wei Mai originates at Jinmen (Acupoint), intersects with Yangjiao, meets the Hand and Foot Taiyang and Qiao vessels at Jianyu, meets the Hand and Foot Shaoyang at Tianliao, intersects with Jianjing, meets the Foot Shaoyang at Yangbai, ascends to Boshen, descends to Fengchi, and intersects with the Du Mai at Yamen. Thus, the Yang Wei Mai arises from the intersection of various Yang meridians. (From *Ru Men*)

Disease of the Yang Wei Mai presents with aversion to cold and fever. Furthermore, Yang Wei links the Yang, and Yin Wei links the Yin. If Yin and Yang cannot mutually link, one experiences despondency and loss of will, with a flaccid body unable to control itself. (From *Gang Mu*)

The Xi-Cleft point of the Yin Wei Mai is Zhubin (Acupoint). It meets the Foot Taiyin and Foot Jueyin meridians at Fushhe and Qimen, and intersects with the Ren Mai at Lianquan and Tiantu. Thus, the Yin Wei Mai arises from the intersection of various Yin meridians. (From *Ru Men*)

Disease of the Yin Wei Mai presents with heart pain. (From *Gang Mu*)

The Yang Qiao Mai originates in the middle of the heel, follows the lateral malleolus upward, and enters Fengchi. (From *Shen Xue Mai*)

Disease of the Yang Qiao Mai presents with spasms on the Yang side leading to frantic running. (From *Ru Men*)

"Qiao" means agile. This vessel's movement is like the lifting of limbs during agile walking or jumping. (From *Ru Men*)

The Yin Qiao Mai also originates in the middle of the heel, follows the medial malleolus upward, reaches the throat, and intersects with the Chong Mai. (From *Zhaohai Xue*)

Disease of the Yin Qiao Mai presents with spasms on the Yin side and straightening of the foot. (From *Ru Men*)

The Chong Mai runs along the anterior aspect of the body, flanking both sides of the Ren Mai. Li Dongyuan stated that the Chong Mai originates at Huiyin (Acpoint), roots at Qichuan, splits into two branches, emerges from the center of the abdomen, passes beside the umbilicus, attaches to the Foot Yangming Meridian, and disperses at the chest. (From *Gang Mu*)

Disease of the Chong Mai presents with rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency. The *Nei Jing* states the Chong Mai runs alongside the Foot Shaoyin Meridian, while the *Nan Jing* states it runs alongside the Foot Yangming Meridian. Inferring from this, the Chong Mai originates at Qichuan, lies between the Foot Yangming and Foot Shaoyin meridians, and ascends flanking the umbilicus, clarifying its rationale. (From *Gang Mu*)

The Du Mai runs entirely along the posterior aspect of the body, emerging from Huiyin, rooting at Changqiang, ascending within the spinal column to the vertex, and attaching to the Foot Taiyang Meridian. It is called "Du" because it commands and leads the other meridians. (From *Gang Mu*)

Disease of the Du Mai presents with stiffness of the spine and opisthotonos (backward arching). (From *Gang Mu*)

The Ren Mai runs entirely along the anterior aspect of the body. Li Dongyuan stated that the Ren Mai originates at Huiyin, roots at Qugu, enters the external genitalia, emerges into the abdominal interior, passes above the umbilicus, and attaches to the Foot Jueyin Meridian. It is called "Ren" because women rely on it for pregnancy and nourishment. (From *Gang Mu*)

Disease of the Ren Mai presents with internal distress and urgency. In men, it causes Seven Types of Hernia (Qi Shan); in women, it causes Masses (Jia Ju). (From *Gang Mu*)

Both the Chong Mai and Ren Mai originate in the Baozhong (Uterus/Mid-Jiao), ascend along the abdominal interior, and are called the Sea of the Meridians. The portion floating externally ascends along the upper abdomen, meets at the throat, branches off, and connects to the lips and mouth. (From *Gang Mu*)

The Dai Mai originates at the hypochondrium (Ji Xie) and encircles the body once. (From *Nan Jing*)

The classic states the Dai Mai circles between the hypochondria. The commentary notes it encircles the entire body, binding all meridians like a belt. It originates at Ji Xie, specifically the Zhangmen point, located between the lower ribs and the lumbar vertebrae. (From *Ru Men*)

Disease of the Dai Mai presents with abdominal fullness and flaccidity, feeling as if sitting in water. (From *Ru Men*)