（《灵枢·九针十二原篇》《终始篇》）
今夫五脏之有疾也，譬犹刺也，犹污也，犹结也，犹 也。（《灵枢·九针十二原篇》。 ，闭同。）刺虽久，犹可拔
也；污虽久，犹可雪也；结虽久，犹可解也； 虽久，犹可决也。或言久疾之不可取者，非其说也。夫善用针者，取其
疾也，犹拔刺也，犹雪污也，犹解结也，犹决 也。疾虽久，犹可毕也。言不可治者，未得其术也。（此详言疾虽久而血
气未败者，犹可以针治之。故善用针者，犹拔刺也，去刺于肤，贵轻捷也。犹雪污也，污染营卫，贵净涤也。犹解结也，
结留关节，贵释散也。犹决闭也，闭塞道路，贵开通也。四者之用，各有精妙，要在轻摘其邪，而勿使略伤其正气耳，
故特举此为谕。若能效而用之，则疾虽久，未有不愈者也。）
久病者，邪气入深，刺此病者，深内而久留之，
（《灵枢·终始篇》。久远之疾，其气必深，针不深则隐伏之病不能及，留不久则固结之邪不得散也。）间日而复刺之，
必先调其左右，去其血脉，刺道毕矣。（一刺未尽，故当间日复刺之。再刺未尽，故再间日而又刺之，必至病除而后已。
然当先察其在经在络，在经者直刺其经，在络者缪刺其络，是谓调其左右，去其血脉也。义详本类前三十。）
（出自《灵枢·九针十二原篇》和《终始篇》）
现在五脏发生疾病，就像身上扎了刺，像沾染了污垢，像打了死结，像河道闭塞一样。（《灵枢·九针十二原篇》。这里的“闭”字，与“闭”同义。）针刺虽然针对久病，但仍然可以像拔除刺一样将其去除；污垢虽然存在已久，但仍然可以像洗雪污垢一样将其清除；结滞虽然存在已久，但仍然可以像解开绳结一样将其化解；闭塞虽然存在已久，但仍然可以像决开堤坝一样将其疏通。有人说久病不可用针刺治疗，这种说法是不对的。善于使用针刺的人，治疗疾病，就像拔刺、洗雪污垢、解结、疏通闭塞一样。疾病即使存在很久，仍然可以治愈。说无法治疗的，是因为没有掌握正确的治疗方法。（这段详细说明了即使疾病日久，只要气血尚未败坏，仍然可以用针刺治疗。所以善于使用针刺的人，治疗就像拔刺，贵在轻捷地去除皮肤中的刺；像洗雪污垢，贵在洁净地涤荡营卫的污染；像解结，贵在释散关节间的结滞；像疏通闭塞，贵在开通阻塞的道路。这四种方法各有精妙之处，关键在于轻轻摘取邪气，而不使正气受到轻微损伤，因此特别举这些例子作为比喻。如果能效法并运用它，那么疾病即使很久，也没有不痊愈的。）
久病的人，邪气已经深入，针刺这类疾病，需要将针深进并长时间留针，（《灵枢·终始篇》。久远疾病，其气必然深沉，针刺如果不深，就无法触及隐伏的病邪；留针时间如果不长，固结的邪气就不能消散。）隔一天再施以针刺，必须先调理左右经脉，祛除瘀阻的血脉，针刺的原则就完备了。（一次针刺未能痊愈，所以应当隔日再次针刺。第二次针刺仍未痊愈，所以再隔日继续针刺，必须直到病除才停止。然而应当先察看病邪是在经还是在络，在经的直接刺其经脉，在络的用缪刺法刺其络脉，这就叫作调理左右，祛除血脉中的瘀滞。此义详见本类前三十节。）
(From *Ling Shu: Nine Needles and Twelve Origins Chapter* and *Zhong Shi Chapter*)
Now, diseases of the five Zang organs are like having a thorn stuck in the body, like being stained with dirt, like a knot tied tight, or like a blockage in a waterway. (From *Ling Shu: Nine Needles and Twelve Origins Chapter*. The character "Bi" here is synonymous with "blockage".) Even if needling is applied to a chronic condition, it can still be removed like pulling out a thorn; even if stains have persisted for a long time, they can still be cleansed like washing away dirt; even if knots have remained tied for a long time, they can still be untied; even if blockages have existed for a long time, they can still be opened up like releasing a dam. Some say that chronic diseases cannot be treated with acupuncture; this view is incorrect. A skilled practitioner of acupuncture treats disease as one would pull out a thorn, wash away dirt, untie a knot, or open a blockage. Even if a disease has been present for a long time, it can still be cured. Those who claim it is incurable have simply not mastered the correct technique. (This passage elaborates that even if a disease is chronic, as long as the Qi and Blood have not deteriorated, it can still be treated with acupuncture. Thus, a skilled acupuncturist treats as if pulling out a thorn, valuing lightness and agility in removing the thorn from the skin; as if washing away dirt, valuing thorough cleansing of the Ying and Wei levels; as if untying a knot, valuing the release of stagnation in the joints; as if opening a blockage, valuing the unblocking of pathways. These four methods each have their subtleties, focusing on gently eliminating the pathogenic factor without slightly injuring the Zheng Qi (Upright Qi). Therefore, these analogies are specifically cited. If one can emulate and apply them, then no matter how long the disease has lasted, there will be no case that does not heal.)
In cases of chronic disease, the pathogenic factor has penetrated deeply. When needling such conditions, the needle should be inserted deeply and retained for a long time. (From *Ling Shu: Zhong Shi Chapter*. In chronic diseases, the Qi must be deep; if the needle is not inserted deeply, it cannot reach the latent pathogen; if the retention time is not long enough, the consolidated pathogen cannot dissipate.) Acupuncture should be repeated every other day. One must first regulate the left and right meridians and remove blood stasis, thereby completing the principles of needling. (If one session is insufficient, treatment should be resumed every other day. If the second session is still insufficient, continue treating every other day until the disease is completely resolved. However, one must first determine whether the pathogen is in the Jing Meridians (Primary Meridians) or the Luo Collaterals. If in the Jing Meridians, needle them directly; if in the Luo Collaterals, use Contralateral Puncture (Miao Ci) on the collaterals. This is called regulating the left and right and removing blood stasis. For detailed meaning, see sections 1-30 of this category.)