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The five Zang organs each have six Shu points, and the six Fu organs have twelve Yuan source points. (According to Chapter 81 of the Nan Jing [Classic of Difficult Issues], the five Zang organs all use the third Shu point as the Yuan point, two per organ, totaling ten Yuan points; additionally, the third Shu points of the Hand Shaoyin meridian are selected, two in total, forming the twelve Yuan points. For the six Fu organs, after the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, and Jing-River points, a separate Yuan point is established, two per organ, totaling twelve Yuan points. Thus, combining the five Zang and six Fu organs, there are twenty-four Yuan points in total. "Yuan" refers to the Qi movement between the kidneys below the umbilicus, which is the root of human life and the foundation of the twelve meridians, hence named "Yuan". The San Jiao [Triple Burner] circulates Yuan Qi to manage the five Zang and six Fu organs; therefore, the San Jiao is the special envoy of Yuan Qi. Since Qi flows here, the first and third Shu points of the five Zang organs are named Yuan points; for the six Fu organs, the fourth point serves as the Yuan point. Since Yuan Qi is the honorific title of the San Jiao, and the San Jiao circulates Yuan Qi stopping at the fourth Shu point, it is named Yuan. Now, stating that the five Zang and six Fu organs have twelve Yuan points implies that each has twelve Yuan points, which is incorrect. In summary, there are twenty-four Yuan points. The statement "the six Fu organs have twelve Yuan points" in the text is an erroneous addition by later generations.)

The twelve Yuan source points originate from the four Guan [junctions of limbs], and the four Guan govern diseases of the five Zang organs. When the five Zang organs are diseased, one should typically select the twelve Yuan source points. The twelve Yuan source points are where the five Zang organs receive the Qi and flavor from the three hundred and sixty-five joints [acupoints]. (The four Guan refer to the four limbs. This passage only mentions that the five Zang organs have twelve Yuan points, which are the origin of disease, and does not mention the twelve Yuan points of the six Fu organs. The five Zang organs are internal, while the Yuan points are external; thus, pathogenic factors affecting the five Zang organs enter from the exterior, so the five Zang organs all derive from the twelve Yuan points. This is because the Qi and flavor from the grain [nutritive Qi] in the three hundred and sixty-five intersecting acupoints converge here.)

When the five Zang organs are diseased, the pathological Qi should manifest at the twelve Yuan source points, and each Yuan point has its specific origin. (The pulse Qi of the Yuan points all originates from the third Shu point of their respective meridians.) By clearly knowing the location of the Yuan points and observing their responses, one can understand the harm caused to the five Zang organs. (By clearly knowing where the twelve Yuan points originate and understanding their internal correspondence with the five Zang organs, one can profoundly comprehend the diseases generated by the five Zang organs.)

The Shaoyin [Lesser Yin] within Yang is the Lung; its Yuan point originates from Taiyuan (LU-9), bilateral. (Sunset belongs to Shaoyin, hence called Shaoyin within Yang.)
The Taiyang [Greater Yang] within Yang is the Heart; its Yuan point originates from Daling (PC-7), bilateral. (Noon belongs to Taiyang, hence called Taiyang within Yang.)
The Shaoyang [Lesser Yang] within Yang is the Liver; its Yuan point originates from Taichong (LR-3), bilateral. (Early sunrise belongs to Shaoyang, hence called Shaoyang within Yang.)
The Taiyin [Greater Yin] within Yin is the Kidney; its Yuan point originates from Taixi (KI-3), bilateral. (Midnight involves heavy Yin, hence called Taiyin.)
The Zhiyin [Ultimate Yin] within Yin is the Spleen; its Yuan point originates from Taibai (SP-3), bilateral. (Positioned superiorly, representing the extreme of Yin among the four Zang organs, hence called Zhiyin.)

The Yuan point of the Diaphragm originates from Jiutui (CV-15), unilateral. (The Qi of the diaphragm resides below Jiutui, so Jiutui is the Yuan point.)
The Yuan point of the Huang [Bladder/Meninges] originates from Boyang (CV-17/CV-12 context dependent, here referring to the area near umbilicus), unilateral. (Huang refers to the lower Huang, located 1.5 cun below the umbilicus; Boyang refers to this area.)

All these twelve Yuan source points govern diseases of the five Zang and six Fu organs. For distension, select the Yuan points of the Three Yang meridians; for undigested food diarrhea, select the Yuan points of the Three Yin meridians. (Distension takes the Yuan points of the Six Fu organs belonging to the Three Yang meridians; diarrhea takes the Yuan points of the Five Zang organs belonging to the Three Yin meridians.)

Now, disease in the five Zang organs is like having a thorn stuck in the body. (Pathogenic invaders entering the body are like a thorn.)
It is like sweat being trapped. (The five emotions store the Spirit, akin to trapped sweat.)
It is like a knot tied. (Accumulation of Yin and Yang is like a knot.)
It is like obstruction. (Stagnation of Blood and Qi is like obstruction.)

Although a thorn has been stuck for a long time, it can still be pulled out; although sweat has been trapped for a long time, it can still be dispersed; although a knot has been tied for a long time, it can still be untied; although obstruction has persisted for a long time, it can still be resolved. Some say that chronic diseases cannot be treated; this view is incorrect. A skilled practitioner treats diseases as if pulling out thorns, dispersing sweat, untying knots, and resolving obstructions. Even if the disease has lasted a long time, it can still be cured. Those who say it cannot be cured have simply not mastered the correct technique. (Obstruction of the Three Yang meridians is like blockage. Saying one has not mastered the technique means that expert physicians can cure all such conditions.)

When treating heat syndromes with acupuncture, act swiftly, like dipping a hand into hot water. (To treat heat, drain the heat Qi quickly without retaining the needle for long; withdraw slowly to allow pathogenic Qi to exit rapidly, hence compared to dipping a hand into hot water, indicating speed.)
When treating cold syndromes, act slowly, like a person unwilling to walk. (To treat cold, retain the needle for a long time to gather warm Qi for tonification, hence compared to walking slowly or standing still, waiting for Qi arrival.)

If there is a Yang-type heat disease in the Yin aspect, select Zusanli (ST-36). Proceed without negligence; stop only when the Qi descends; if the Qi does not descend, restart the manipulation. (Various intestinal diseases are considered disorders of Yin and Yang.)

For diseases presenting high up in the head and located internally, select Yinlingquan (SP-9); for diseases presenting high up in the head and located externally, select Yanglingquan (GB-34). (Disease located in the head is termed "high". If the root is in the Spleen meridian, Foot Taiyin, on the inner side, select the third Shu point of Foot Taiyin, Yinlingquan. If the disease is high in the head and the root is in the Gallbladder meridian, Foot Shaoyang, on the outer side, select the third Shu point of Foot Shaoyang, Yanglingquan.)