（《灵枢·官针篇》）
凡刺有九，以应九变。一曰输刺，输刺者，刺诸经荥输脏 也。（诸经荥输，凡井荥经合之类皆 也。脏 ，背间
之
脏腑 也。本经输、 、俞三字皆通用。）二曰远道刺，远道刺者，病在上，取之下，刺腑 也。（腑 ，谓足太阳膀胱
经、足阳明胃经、足少阳胆经。十二经中，惟此三经最远，可以因下取上，故曰远道刺。）三曰经刺，经刺者，刺大经之
结络经分也。（刺结络者，因其结聚而直取之，所谓解结也。）四曰络刺，络刺者，刺小络之血脉也。（《调经论》曰∶病
在血，调之络。《经脉篇》曰∶诸刺络脉者，必刺其结上，甚血者虽无结，急取之以泻其邪而出其血，留之发为痹也。）
五曰分刺，分刺者，刺分肉之间也。（刺分肉者，泄肌肉之邪也。）六曰大泻刺，大泻刺者，刺大脓以铍针也。（治痈疡也。）
七曰毛刺，毛刺者，刺浮痹皮肤也。（其治在浅也。）八曰巨刺，巨刺者，左取右，右取左。（邪客于经而有移易者，以巨
刺治之。详见后三十。）九曰 刺， 刺者，刺燔针则取痹也。（谓烧针而刺也，即后世火针之属，取寒痹者用之，以上
谓之九变。 音翠。燔音凡。）
凡刺有十二节，以应十二经。一曰偶刺，偶刺者，以手直心若背，直痛所，一刺前，一刺后，以治心痹，刺此者旁
针之也。（偶，两也。前后各一，故曰偶刺。直，当也。以手直心若背，谓前心后心，当其痛所，各用一针治之。然须斜
针以刺其旁，恐中心则死也。）二曰报刺，报刺者，刺痛无常处也，上下行者，直内无拔针，以左手随病所按之，乃出针
复刺之也。（报刺，重刺也。痛无常处，则或上或下，随病所在，即直内其针，留而勿拔，乃以左手按之，再得痛处，乃
出前针而复刺之也。）三曰恢刺，恢刺者，刺旁之，举之前后，恢筋急以治筋痹也。（恢，恢廓也。筋急者，不刺筋而刺
其旁，必数举其针或前或后以恢其气，则筋痹可舒也。）四曰齐刺，齐刺者，直入一，旁入二，以治寒气小深者；或曰三
刺，三刺者，治痹气小深者也。（齐者，三针齐用也，故又曰三刺。以一针直入其中，二针夹入其旁，治寒痹稍深之法也。）
五曰扬刺，扬刺者，正内一，旁内四，而浮之，以治寒气之博大者也。（扬，散也。中外共五针而用在浮泛，故能祛散博
大之寒气。）六曰直针刺，直针刺者，引皮乃刺之，以治寒气之浅者也。（直者，直入无避也。引起其皮而刺之，则所用
不深，故但治寒气之浅者。）七曰输刺，输刺者，直入直出，稀发针而深之，以治气盛而热者也。（输，委输也，言能输
泻其邪，非上文荥输之谓。直入直出，用其锐也。稀发针，留之久也。久而且深，故可以去盛热之气。）八曰短刺，短刺
者，刺骨痹，稍摇而深之，致针骨所，以上下摩骨也。（短者，入之渐也。故稍摇而深，致针骨所，以摩骨痹。摩，迫切
也。）九曰浮刺，浮刺者，旁入而浮之，以治肌急而寒者也。（浮，轻浮也。旁入其针而浮举之，故可治肌肤之寒。此与
上文毛刺义大同。）十曰阴刺，阴刺者，左右率刺之，以治寒厥，中寒厥，足踝后少阴也。（阴刺者，刺阴寒也。率，统
也。言治寒厥者，于足踝后少阴经左右皆刺之。）十一曰旁针刺，旁针刺者，直刺旁刺各一，以治留痹久居者也。（旁针
刺者，一正一旁也。正者刺其经，旁者刺其络，故可以刺久居之留痹。）十二曰赞刺，赞刺者，直入直出，数发针而浅之
出血，是谓治痈肿也。（赞，助也。数发针而浅之，以后助前，故可使之出血而治痈肿。）
（出自《灵枢·官针篇》）
凡针刺法有九种，用以对应九种病变变化。第一种叫输刺，所谓输刺，是针刺各经脉的荥穴和输穴以及背部的脏腑俞穴。（各经脉的荥穴和输穴，包括井、荥、经、合等穴位都属于此类。背部俞穴，是指位于背部脊柱两侧的脏腑俞穴。本经中的“输”、“腧”、“俞”三个字皆通用。）第二种叫远道刺，所谓远道刺，是病位在上部，取用下部的穴位，针刺足三阳经的穴位。（足三阳经，指的是足太阳膀胱经、足阳明胃经、足少阳胆经。在十二经脉中，只有这三条经脉距离最远，可以通过取下部穴位来治疗上部疾病，所以称为远道刺。）第三种叫经刺，所谓经刺，是针刺大经脉中气血结聚的络脉和分肉之间。（针刺结聚的络脉，是因为其气血结聚而直接取之，这就是所谓的“解结”。）第四种叫络刺，所谓络刺，是针刺小络脉中的瘀血。（《调经论》说：病在血分，调理络脉。《经脉篇》说：凡是针刺络脉，必须针刺其结聚之处，如果瘀血严重即使没有结聚，也要急取以泻除邪气并放出血液，否则留滞体内会发为痹证。）第五种叫分刺，所谓分刺，是针刺分肉之间。（针刺分肉，是为了泄除肌肉中的邪气。）第六种叫大泻刺，所谓大泻刺，是用铍针刺破大的脓包。（用于治疗痈疡。）第七种叫毛刺，所谓毛刺，是浅刺皮肤以治疗浮浅的痹证。（其治疗部位在浅表。）第八种叫巨刺，所谓巨刺，是左病取右，右病取左。（邪气客于经脉且病情发生移易变化的，用巨刺法治疗。详见后文第三十节。）第九种叫燔刺，所谓燔刺，是烧灼针具后针刺以治疗痹证。（即烧针而刺，也就是后世火针之类，用于取治寒痹者，以上这些称为九变。“燔”音同“凡”。）
凡针刺法有十二种技法，用以对应十二经脉。第一种叫偶刺，所谓偶刺，用手按直心口或背部，对准疼痛部位，一针刺前面，一针刺后面，用来治疗心痹，针刺此法时需斜向旁侧进针。（“偶”意为两。前后各一针，所以叫偶刺。“直”意为当。用手按直心口或背部，指前心和后背，正对疼痛部位，各用一针治疗。但必须斜针刺其旁边，恐怕直刺中心脏会导致死亡。）第二种叫报刺，所谓报刺，是刺痛位置不固定的，疼痛上下移动的，将针直接刺入不拔出，用左手随着病痛部位按压，然后拔出针再重新针刺。（报刺，即重复针刺。痛处无常，则或上或下，随病痛所在，立即直刺入针，留针不拔，然后用左手按压，再次找到痛处，便拔出前针再重新针刺。）第三种叫恢刺，所谓恢刺，是针刺筋脉旁边，提插针具前后移动，舒展拘急的筋脉以治疗筋痹。（“恢”意为恢廓。筋脉拘急者，不直接刺筋而刺其旁边，必须多次提插针具或前或后以疏通其气机，则筋痹可以舒缓。）第四种叫齐刺，所谓齐刺，直入一针，旁入两针，用来治疗寒气深小者；或者说三刺，三刺，也是治疗寒气深小的痹证。（“齐”意为三针同时使用，所以又叫三刺。用一针直入其中，两针夹入其旁，这是治疗稍深的寒痹的方法。）第五种叫扬刺，所谓扬刺，正中刺入一针，四周刺入四针，且浅刺，用来治疗寒气博大者。（“扬”意为散。中外共五针且用在浅表，所以能祛除散播广泛的寒气。）第六种叫直针刺，所谓直针刺，牵引皮肤然后进针，用来治疗寒气浅表者。（“直”意为直入无避。提起其皮而刺之，则所用深度不深，所以只治疗浅表的寒气。）第七种叫输刺，所谓输刺，直入直出，稀疏地发针且深刺，用来治疗气盛而热者。（“输”意为委输，指能输泻邪气，并非上文所说的荥穴和输穴。直入直出，是利用针尖锐利。稀疏发针，意味着留针时间久。既久且深，所以可以去盛热之气。）第八种叫短刺，所谓短刺，是针刺骨痹，稍微摇动针身并深入，使针到达骨骼，通过上下摩擦骨骼来治疗。（“短”意为进入渐缓。所以稍微摇动并深入，使针到达骨骼，以摩擦骨痹。“摩”意为迫切接触。）第九种叫浮刺，所谓浮刺，是从旁侧进针并浅浮，用来治疗肌肉拘急兼有寒邪者。（“浮”意为轻浮。从旁侧进针并轻举之，所以可治疗肌肤之寒。这与上文的毛刺意义大致相同。）第十种叫阴刺，所谓阴刺，左右同时针刺，用来治疗寒厥，中寒厥，是在足踝后方的少阴经。（阴刺，即刺阴寒之证。“率”意为统。言治疗寒厥者，在足踝后少阴经左右都针刺。）第十一种叫旁针刺，所谓旁针刺，直刺一针、旁刺一针各一，用来治疗留滞日久居停的痹证。（旁针刺，即一正一旁。直刺者刺其经脉，旁刺者刺其络脉，所以可以刺治久居的留痹。）第十二种叫赞刺，所谓赞刺，直入直出，多次发针且浅刺出血，这叫做治疗痈肿。（“赞”意为助。多次发针且浅刺，以后针辅助前针，所以可以使出血而治疗痈肿。）
(From *Lingshu: Guanzhen* [Spiritual Pivot: Official Needles])
There are nine types of acupuncture techniques, corresponding to the nine variations of disease. The first is called *Shu Ci* (Acupuncture at Shu Points), which involves needling the Ying-Spring and Shu-Stream points of various meridians as well as the Back-Shu points of the zang organs. (The Ying-Spring and Shu-Stream points of various meridians include those such as Jing-River, Ying-Spring, Jing-Meeting, and He-Sea points. The Back-Shu points refer to the zang organ shu points located on the back along the spine. In this context, the characters "Shu" [Transport], "Shu" [Acupoint], and "Yu" [Transfer] are used interchangeably.) The second is called *Yuan Dao Ci* (Distant Point Acupuncture), where the disease is located in the upper part of the body, but points in the lower part are selected, specifically needling the foot yang meridians. (The foot yang meridians refer to the Foot-Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Among the twelve primary meridians, only these three are the most distant, allowing for treating upper diseases by selecting lower points; hence it is called Distant Point Acupuncture.) The third is called *Jing Ci* (Meridian Acupuncture), which involves needling the collaterals and intermuscular spaces where qi and blood are knotted within large meridians. (Needling knotted collaterals means directly targeting them due to their aggregation, which is referred to as "untying the knot.") The fourth is called *Luo Ci* (Collateral Acupuncture), which involves needling the blood vessels in small collaterals. (*Tiao Jing Lun* [Treatise on Regulating the Channels] states: When the disease is in the blood, regulate the collaterals. *Jing Mai Pian* [Chapter on the Channels and Collaterals] states: Whenever needling collateral vessels, one must needle at the site of aggregation; if there is severe stasis even without visible aggregation, urgent needling should be performed to drain the pathogenic factor and release blood; otherwise, retention may lead to Bi syndrome [obstruction syndrome].) The fifth is called *Fen Ci* (Intermuscular Acupuncture), which involves needling between the muscles. (Needling between muscles aims to drain pathogens from the muscle tissue.) The sixth is called *Da Xie Ci* (Major Draining Acupuncture), which involves using a Pi needle [broad-bladed needle] to puncture large abscesses. (Used for treating carbuncles and sores.) The seventh is called *Mao Ci* (Hair-like Acupuncture), which involves superficial needling of the skin to treat floating Bi syndrome. (Its treatment area is superficial.) The eighth is called *Ju Ci* (Cross Needling), which involves treating the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. (When pathogenic factors invade the meridians and the condition shifts or migrates, Ju Ci is used for treatment. See Section 30 below for details.) The ninth is called *Fan Ci* (Burning Needle Acupuncture), which involves burning the needle before insertion to treat Bi syndrome. (This refers to heating the needle before needling, similar to modern fire needles, used for treating Cold-Bi syndrome. These above constitute the Nine Variations. "Fan" is pronounced like "fan".)
There are twelve categories of acupuncture techniques, corresponding to the twelve primary meridians. The first is called *Ou Ci* (Paired Acupuncture), where one places hands straight against the chest or back, aligns with the painful spot, inserts one needle anteriorly and one posteriorly to treat Heart Bi syndrome; this technique requires oblique insertion. ("Ou" means pair. One anterior and one posterior needle make it "paired." "Zhi" means aligned. Placing hands straight against the chest or back refers to the anterior heart region and posterior back region, aligning with the pain site, using one needle each. However, oblique needling into the sides is required to avoid direct penetration of the heart, which could be fatal.) The second is called *Bao Ci* (Repeating Acupuncture), used when stabbing pain has no fixed location and moves up and down; the needle is inserted directly and not withdrawn immediately, while the left hand presses along the moving pain site, then the needle is withdrawn and re-inserted. (Bao Ci means repeated needling. Since the pain location is variable, moving up or down, the needle is inserted directly according to the current pain site, retained without withdrawal, pressed by the left hand, and once the pain site is identified again, the previous needle is withdrawn and new needling is performed.) The third is called *Hui Ci* (Expanding Acupuncture), which involves needling beside the tendon, lifting and manipulating the needle anteriorly and posteriorly to expand and relieve tight tendons to treat Tendon-Bi syndrome. ("Hui" means expand. For tight tendons, one does not needle the tendon itself but the area beside it, repeatedly lifting and manipulating the needle anteriorly and posteriorly to restore qi flow, thereby relieving Tendon-Bi.) The fourth is called *Qi Ci* (Triple Acupuncture), involving one vertical insertion and two lateral insertions to treat shallow yet deep-penetrating cold pathogens; alternatively called San Ci (Three Needles), also for treating shallow yet deep-penetrating Bi qi. ("Qi" means three needles used together, hence also called San Ci. One needle is inserted vertically into the center, and two needles are inserted laterally alongside, a method for treating slightly deeper Cold-Bi.) The fifth is called *Yang Ci* (Scattering Acupuncture), involving one central insertion and four lateral insertions, all superficial, to treat widespread cold pathogens. ("Yang" means scatter. Five needles are used superficially across the center and periphery, thus capable of dispersing widespread cold pathogens.) The sixth is called *Zhi Zhen Ci* (Direct Skin-Pulling Acupuncture), where the skin is pulled taut before needling to treat superficial cold pathogens. ("Zhi" means direct entry without avoidance. Pulling the skin taut before needling ensures shallow depth, suitable only for superficial cold pathogens.) The seventh is called *Shu Ci* (Transport Acupuncture), characterized by direct insertion and withdrawal, sparse needle usage, and deep penetration to treat conditions with excess qi and heat. ("Shu" means transport/conveyance, indicating the ability to drain pathogens, distinct from the Ying-Spring and Shu-Stream points mentioned earlier. Direct insertion and withdrawal utilize the needle's sharpness. Sparse needling implies long retention time. Long and deep retention allows for dispelling excessive heat.) The eighth is called *Duan Ci* (Short Acupuncture), used for Bone-Bi, involving slight rocking of the needle during deep insertion until reaching the bone, followed by rubbing against the bone. ("Duan" implies gradual entry. Thus, slight rocking during deep insertion reaches the bone to rub against Bone-Bi. "Mo" means close contact/rubbing.) The ninth is called *Fu Ci* (Floating Acupuncture), involving lateral insertion with superficial lifting to treat muscle tension accompanied by cold. ("Fu" means light/floating. Inserting laterally and lifting lightly treats cold in the muscle and skin. This shares significant similarity with Mao Ci mentioned earlier.) The tenth is called *Yin Ci* (Yin Acupuncture), involving simultaneous needling on both left and right sides to treat Cold-Jue syndrome, specifically targeting the Shaoyin meridian behind the ankle. (Yin Ci refers to needling Yin-cold syndromes. "Shuai" means collectively. It means that for treating Cold-Jue, needling is performed bilaterally on the Shaoyin meridian behind the ankle.) The eleventh is called *Pang Zhen Ci* (Side-Needle Acupuncture), involving one vertical needle and one lateral needle to treat chronic, lingering Bi syndrome. (Pang Zhen Ci involves one straight and one oblique needle. The straight needle targets the meridian, and the oblique needle targets the collateral, making it effective for chronic, lingering Bi.) The twelfth is called *Zan Ci* (Assisting Acupuncture), characterized by direct insertion and withdrawal, frequent needle pricks, and superficial bleeding, known as treatment for carbuncles and swellings. ("Zan" means assist. Frequent superficial needling assists the previous pricks, facilitating bleeding to treat carbuncles and swellings.)