Library

Huangdi asked, saying: "I have heard that wind is the beginning of all diseases. How should acupuncture be used to treat it?" Qibo replied, "When wind enters from the exterior, it causes chills, sweating, headache, heaviness of the body, and aversion to cold. Treatment should focus on Fengfu (DU16), regulating Yin and Yang; deficiency requires tonification, while excess requires sedation. In cases of severe wind causing neck and nape pain, puncture Fengfu (DU16). Fengfu is located below the first cervical vertebra. In cases of severe wind with profuse sweating, moxa [missing character], which is located three cun lateral to the lower spine on the back. Press this point until the patient cries out, and the pulse should respond at the hand. For those who fear wind due to wind pathogen, puncture the eyebrows. For stiff neck (Shi Zhen), the location is between the transverse bone of the shoulder. Bend the arm so that the elbow aligns with the shoulder, then moxa Jizhong (GV9). If the Luo vessel of the costal margin draws into the lower abdomen causing pain and distension, puncture [missing character]. For low back pain that prevents turning or shaking, with sudden pulling pain in the genitals, puncture the Ba Liao (Eight Clefts) and the painful area. The Ba Liao are located in the interspaces of the lumbosacral region. For rat abscesses (Shu Lu) with alternating chills and fever, return to puncture Hanfu (Cold Mansion), which is located in the Ying cavity outside the knee joint. To access points on the upper outer knee, have the patient bow; to access points on the sole of the foot, have the patient kneel.

The Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) originates below Zhongji (CV3), ascends to the pubic hairline, runs inside the abdomen to Guanyuan (CV4), reaches the throat, goes up to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes. The Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) originates at Qichong (ST30), runs parallel with the Shaoyin (Kidney) channel, ascends flanking the umbilicus, and disperses in the chest. Disease of the Ren Mai manifests as seven types of hernia in men and leukorrhea with masses in women. Disease of the Chong Mai manifests as rebellious Qi and internal tension. Disease of the Du Mai (Governor Vessel) manifests as stiffness of the spine and opisthotonos.

The Du Mai originates from the central bone below the lower abdomen. In women, it enters and connects to the Ting Kong (Urethral Orifice), which is the end of the urinary passage. Its collateral network follows the external genitalia, converges in the perineum, circles around the anus posteriorly, diverges to circle the buttocks, and meets the Zhong-Luo of the Shaoyin and Taiyang channels. It combines with the Shaoyin channel, ascends along the medial posterior aspect of the thigh, penetrates the spine, and attaches to the Kidneys. It joins the Taiyang channel, which starts at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, crosses at the vertex, enters to connect with the brain, emerges again to descend separately down the nape, runs along the medial aspect of the scapula, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters the deep muscles (Lu) to connect with the Kidneys. In men, it follows the penis down to the perineum, identical to women. The branch rising straight from the lower abdomen penetrates the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the Heart, enters the throat, goes up to the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to connect at the center below both eyes. Disease here involves Qi rushing from the lower abdomen to the heart causing pain, and inability to pass urine or stool, known as Chong Hernia. In women, it may cause infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dryness of the throat. Diseases of the Du Mai are treated by needling the Du Mai; mild cases use points on the vertebrae, severe cases use points in the Ying area below the umbilicus. For rebellious Qi with abnormal sounds, treat the center of the throat, specifically points in the Supraclavicular Fossa (Quepen). For disease rushing up to the throat, treat 'Jian', which refers to the area above flanking the chin. For stiff knees unable to extend or flex, treat Jian. For knee pain while sitting, treat Ji. For knee weakness and heat while standing, treat Haiguan.

For knee pain radiating to the big toe, treat the Ying-Spring point. For knee pain while sitting feeling like a hidden object, treat Guan. For knee pain with inability to flex or extend, treat the medial aspect of the back. For calf pain as if breaking, treat the Shu-Stream point Bigan (ST32) of the Yangming channel. If the pain diverges, treat the Ying-Spring points of the Taiyang and Shaoyin channels. For limping and leg soreness preventing prolonged standing, treat the Weivessel of Shaoyang, located five cun above the lateral malleolus. The area below the transverse bone and above the auxiliary bone is called Jian; flanking the hip is Ji; the separation of the knee joint is Haiguan; bones flanking the knee are Lianhai; below Lianhai is Fu; above Fu is Luo; above Luo is Guan; the transverse bone of the head is Zhen.

There are fifty-seven water-shu points: five rows of five points above the sacrum; two rows of five points above Futu (ST32); one row of five points on each side; and one row of six points above each ankle. Marrow cavities are located three fen behind the head, below the sharp bone at the skull's edge; one below the base of the gums; one below the compound bone in the middle of the back of the neck; one above the spinal bone, above Fengfu (DU16). There is a cavity below the spinal bone and a cavity below the sacrum. Several marrow cavities are on the face flanking the nose; or bone cavities are below the mouth opposite the shoulders. Two cheekbone cavities are on the yang aspect within the cheeks. Arm bone cavities are on the yang aspect of the arm, four cun from the ankle, between the two bone cavities. Thigh bone upper cavity is on the yang aspect of the thigh, four cun above the knee. Bone cavity is at the upper end of the auxiliary bone. Thigh root bone cavity is in the pubic hair, below the pulsating area. Sacral bone cavity is behind the femoral bone, four cun apart. Flat bones have converging textures but no marrow cavities; they change marrow without having empty spaces.

The method for moxibustion in chills and fever: First, moxa Dazhui (DU14) on the neck, using the number of moxa cones equal to the patient's age. Second, moxa Juegu (tip of the coccyx), using the number of moxa cones equal to the patient's age. Moxa any depressed areas of the Back-Shu points. Moxa the depression in the shoulder when the arm is raised. Moxa between the two costal margins. Moxa the end of Jiegu (Fibular Head) above the lateral malleolus. Moxa between the fourth and fifth toes. Moxa the depressed vessels below the calf. Moxa behind the lateral malleolus. Moxa the hard, tendon-like pain upon palpation above the supraclavicular fossa. Moxa the depression between the bones in the chest. Moxa below the bone where the palm binds. Moxa Guanyuan (CV4), three cun below the umbilicus. Moxa the arterial pulse at the pubic hairline. Moxa the interstice three cun below the knee. Moxa the arterial pulse on the dorsum of the foot (Yangming). Moxa one cone at the vertex. Moxa three cones at the site of a dog bite, followed by treatment methods for dog injuries. In total, twenty-nine sites should be moxaed. For food stagnation, apply moxibustion; if ineffective, observe the meridians for excess Yang, frequently needle their Shu-points, and administer herbal medicine."