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The Yuan-Source points originate from the Taibai point (Note: Textual error likely for Taiyuan, Lung Meridian Yuan-Source). Taibai is two cun deep, Yin within Yin (Taiyin), corresponding to the Kidney. Its Yuan-Source point originates from Taixi. Taixi is two cun deep. The Yuan-Source of the Gao (fatty tissue) originates from Jiutui. Jiutui is one cun deep.
The Yuan-Source of the Huang (diaphragm/marrow space) originates from Boyang (the depression below the larynx). Boyang is one cun deep. These twelve Yuan-Source points govern diseases of the Six Fu organs and Five Zang organs. For distension, select points from the Three Yang meridians; for undigested food diarrhea (Sun-xie), select points from the Three Yin meridians.
("Huang" pronounced huang)
This section discusses the fluids generated by the qi and flavors of food and drink, which seep externally from the Gao and Huang of the Zang-Fu organs into the skin and collateral vessels, transform into red blood, circulate through the Jing-Luo acupoints, and inject into the Zang-Fu organs, demonstrating the correspondence of internal and external entry and exit. Fluids are generated by the qi and flavors of water and grain. The Qi of the Middle Jiao steams the fluids, transforms them into essence and subtle substances, releases them into the Cou-Li (interstices), moistens and injects them into the bones, supplements the brain marrow, and moistens the skin. This is how fluids inject into the 365 joints and permeate the skin and muscle interstices. Overflowing externally makes the flesh and fatty tissue plump; remaining internally makes the Gao and Huang abundant. "Gao" refers to the fatty membrane of the Zang-Fu organs; "Huang" refers to the Mu-Yuan (originating source) between the stomach and intestines. Fluids generated by qi and flavors moisten externally from the internal Gao and Huang. Therefore, people with abundant fatty tissue have soft muscles and loose, relaxed skin, allowing for a hanging abdomen and accumulated fat, reflecting internal-external correspondence. The chapter on Carbuncles and Ulcers states: "Qi emitted from the Middle Jiao is like dew, flowing upward into the gut, and seeping into the Sun-collaterals. When fluids are harmonious, they change and become red blood."
When blood is harmonious, the Sun-collaterals fill first, then inject into the Luo-collaterals making them full, and finally inject into the Jing-main meridians. Yin and Yang qi are fully expanded and move with respiration. Movement has order, circulation has principles, aligning with Heaven and Earth, never ceasing. "Gu" refers to the divided flesh between the skin layers. This is where fluids externally inject into the skin, transform into red blood via Sun-collaterals, and then inject into the Yuan-Jing of the Zang-Fu organs. Thus, it is said that the twelve Yuan-Source points are the sources from which the Five Zang organs receive the qi and flavors of the 365 joints. Si-Guan (Four Passes) refer to the two elbows, two axillae, two thighs, and two popliteal fossae. These are chambers of joint mechanisms, where True Qi passes and blood collaterals circulate. The twelve Yuan-Source points originate from Si-Guan. Si-Guan govern diseases of the Five Zang organs, meaning Zang and Fu are paired, Fu have Yuan-Source points, Yuan-Source points have gateways, and gateways correspond to Zang organs. Zang-Fu Yin-Yang combine, allowing internal-external communication. Thus, knowing the Yuan-Source points and observing their responses reveals disorders of the Five Zang organs. Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney are the internal Five Zang organs. They contain Qi such as Shaoyin within Yang and Shaoyang within Yin. Therefore, for Zang-Fu diseases, select the Yuan-Source points of the meridians. Distension takes Three Yang meridians; Sun-xie takes Three Yin meridians. This treats diseases at the level of Three Yin and Three Yang Qi. This section discusses the origin of generation, start, entry, and exit of Blood and Qi, hence the chapter title "Nine Needles and Twelve Yuan-Source Points," indicating the harmony between the Way of Nine Needles and Yin-Yang Blood-Qi.

Now, when the Five Zang organs have disease, it is like having a thorn embedded, dirt stained, a knot tied, or water blocked. Though long-standing, a thorn can still be pulled out; though old, dirt can still be washed clean; though tight, a knot can still be untied; though blocked, water flow can still be unblocked. Some say chronic diseases cannot be treated; this view is incorrect. A skilled needle practitioner treats disease like pulling a thorn, washing dirt, untying knots, or unblocking water. Even if the disease is chronic, it can still be cured. Those who say it is incurable have not mastered the technique. ("HT" pronounced bian, meaning blockage/twisting)
Zhang Kai said: The onset of all diseases arises from wind, rain, cold, heat, Yin-Yang emotions, diet, residence, sudden fright, etc., causing separation of Blood and Qi, dispersion of Yin-Yang, interruption of Jing-Luo, and obstruction of pulse channels. Wind, rain, cold, heat, sudden fright are like thorns and dirt; pathogenic factors entering from outside. Yin-Yang emotions, diet, residence are like knots and blockages; pathogenic factors arising from inside. Thousands of disasters do not exceed these two causes: external and internal. Therefore, for external causes, resolve them by pulling and washing from the exterior; for internal causes, resolve them by untying and unblocking from the interior. Understanding these two allows curing even chronic diseases. Saying it is incurable means failing to identify the cause. Master Zhang Yu said: Dirt is in skin and hair; thorns are in flesh; knots are in blood vessels; HT is in sinews and bones.

To needle various Heat syndromes, use the technique of probing hot water with the hand (quick insertion and withdrawal). For Blood Cold and clarity, use the technique of a person unwilling to walk (slow, steady manipulation). If there is a Yang pathology in the Yin aspect, select Xiaoling Sanli (Zusanli, ST36). Insert the needle straightly without fatigue; stop when the Qi descends; if it does not descend, restart. For high-rising pathology located internally, select Yinlingquan (SP9); for high-rising pathology located externally, select Yanglingquan (GB34).
Chills and fever result from external invasion by wind, rain, cold, heat. Thus, needling Heat syndromes is like probing hot water, meaning heat is in the skin and should be shallowly needled. Cold and clarity result from internal deficiency-cold, requiring deep needling and quiet guarding of Qi, hence resembling a person unwilling to walk. Yang pathology in the Yin aspect indicates Yang pathogenic factors entering internally. Xiaoling Sanli is three cun below the knee, belonging to the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, which governs closing. Insert straightly without fatigue; stop when Qi descends, allowing resolution from below. High-rising pathology located internally is a Interior-Yin disease manifesting above. Yinlingquan belongs to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, which governs opening, allowing internal diseases to exit upward via opening. Generally, Yang diseases entering the interior resolve from below; Yin diseases exiting the exterior resolve from above. High-rising pathology located externally is external pathogenic factors high but affecting lower exterior regions. Yanglingquan belongs to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, which governs pivoting. Since pathogens at high levels wish to enter inward, this method facilitates their exit outward via the pivot mechanism, preventing internal invasion. Master Yu said: Selecting Yinlingquan and Yanglingquan for high-rising pathology corresponds to the Si-Tian and Zai-Quan heavenly stems/earthly branches, ensuring upper-lower communication and upward expulsion of pathogens.