少气者，气少不足以言也。《素问》云∶三阳绝，三阴微，是为少气。又云∶怯
然少气者，是水道不行，形气消索也。又云∶言而微，终日乃复言者，此夺气也。
其治法则生脉散、独参汤之属是也。运气少气有二∶一曰火热。经云∶火郁之发，
民病少气。又云∶少阴之复，少气骨痿。又云∶少阳之复，少气脉痿。治以诸寒是
也。二曰风湿。经云∶太阳司天之政，四之气，风湿交争，风化为雨，民病大热少
气是也。针灸少气有三∶一曰补肺。经云∶肺脏气，气不足则息微少气，补其经隧，
无出其气。又云∶肺虚则少气不能报息，耳聋嗌干，取其经太阴、足太阳之外，厥
阴内血者是也。二曰补肾。经云∶少气，身漯漯也，言吸吸也，骨酸体重，懈
惰不能动，补足少阴是也。三曰补气海。经云∶膻中者，为气之海，其输上在于柱
骨之上下，前在于人迎；气海不足，则气少不足以言，审守其输，调其虚实。所谓
柱骨之上者，盖天容穴也。人迎者，结喉两旁之脉动处也。乃取天容、人迎二穴补
之也。
【诊】鱼际络青短者，少气也。脾脉搏坚而长，其色黄，当病少气。一呼脉一动，
一吸脉一动，曰少气。尺坚大脉小甚少气， 有加立死。（谓尺内坚而脉反小，而少气 加也。）
少气，是指元气虚弱，不足以支撑言语。《素问》中说：三阳经之气断绝，三阴经之气微弱，这就称为少气。又说：怯懦而少气的表现，是由于水道运行不畅，形体与正气都极度消耗所致。还说：说话声音低微，整天才能说几句话，这是夺气（元气严重耗损）的表现。治疗这类病症，采用生脉散、独参汤之类的方剂。
因五运六气导致的少气有两种情况：第一种是火热之邪。医经说：火郁之气发作时，百姓容易患少气病。又说：少阴君火复气时，会出现少气和骨痿（骨骼软弱无力）。又说：少阳相火复气时，会出现少气和脉痿（血脉枯萎无力）。治疗这些情况应使用寒凉性质的药物。第二种是风湿之邪。医经说：当太阳寒水司天时，在四之气阶段，风湿二气相互交争，风化为雨，百姓容易患大热和少气病。
针灸治疗少气有三种方法：第一种是补肺。医经说：肺脏气虚，气不足则呼吸微弱、少气，应当补益其经络隧道，不要使其正气外泄。又说：肺虚则少气且不能深长呼吸，伴有耳聋、咽喉干燥，应当取手太阴肺经、足太阳膀胱经之外侧，以及足厥阴肝经内侧的血液穴位进行治疗。第二种是补肾。医经说：出现少气，身体寒冷战栗，呼吸短促，骨骼酸痛、身体沉重，懈怠懒惰不能活动，应当补足少阴肾经。第三种是补气海。医经说：膻中穴被称为气海，其输注穴位上部在柱骨上下，前部在人迎穴；如果气海不足，就会气少不足以言语，应当仔细诊察并守护其输穴，调节虚实。所谓柱骨之上，指的是天容穴。人迎穴位于结喉两旁脉搏跳动处。因此选取天容、人迎两个穴位进行补法治疗。
【诊法】鱼际络脉呈现青色且短小的，是少气的征象。脾脉搏动坚实而长，面色发黄，应当患有少气病。一呼之间脉搏跳动一次，一吸之间脉搏也跳动一次（即脉率极慢），称为少气。尺部脉象坚硬但脉体细小且至数极少为少气，若病情加重则会导致死亡。（意思是尺内脉象坚硬而脉反小，且少气症状加剧。）
Sha Qi (Shortness of Breath/Lack of Vital Energy) refers to a condition where vital energy is insufficient to support speech. The *Su Wen* states: When the qi of the Three Yang meridians is exhausted and the qi of the Three Yin meridians is weak, this is termed Sha Qi. It further states: A timid presentation with Sha Qi indicates that the water pathways are not flowing, leading to the consumption of both form and vital energy. It also states: Speaking in a faint voice, only managing to speak once throughout the day, indicates Duo Qi (Severe Depletion of Qi). The treatment principles involve formulas such as Sheng Mai San (Pulse-Generating Powder) and Du Shen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction).
There are two types of Sha Qi caused by the Six Qi and Five Movements: First, Fire and Heat. The classics state: When Fire stagnation erupts, the people suffer from Sha Qi. It also states: In the recurrence of Sha Yin (Lesser Yin), there is Sha Qi and Gu Wei (Bone Atrophy/Weakness). Furthermore: In the recurrence of Shao Yang (Lesser Yang), there is Sha Qi and Mai Wei (Vessel Atrophy/Weakness). These are treated with various cold-natured remedies. Second, Wind and Dampness. The classics state: When Tai Yang (Greater Yang) governs the year, during the fourth Qi period, Wind and Dampness contend, transforming into rain, causing the people to suffer from intense heat and Sha Qi.
Acupuncture and moxibustion treatments for Sha Qi include three methods: First, Tonifying the Lung. The classics state: When Lung organ qi is deficient, breathing becomes faint and there is Sha Qi; one should tonify its meridian tunnels without allowing the qi to escape. It also states: When the Lung is deficient, there is Sha Qi, an inability to complete inhalations, deafness, and dry throat; one should select points on the Hand Taiyin, the exterior of Foot Taiyang, and the interior blood areas of Foot Jueyin. Second, Tonifying the Kidney. The classics state: With Sha Qi, the body feels cold and shivering, respiration is labored ("xi xi"), bones ache, the body feels heavy, and there is lassitude preventing movement; one should tonify Foot Shaoyin. Third, Tonifying the Qi Sea. The classics state: Dan Zhong (Conception Vessel 17) is the Sea of Qi; its transport points are located above and below the vertebral column anteriorly at Ren Ying (Stomach 9); if the Qi Sea is deficient, there is Sha Qi insufficient for speech; one must carefully observe its transport points and regulate deficiency and excess. "Above the vertebral column" refers to Tian Rong (Bladder 10). Ren Ying is the location of pulsation beside the laryngeal prominence. Thus, Tian Rong and Ren Ying are selected for tonification.
[Diagnosis] If the collaterals at Yu Ji (Lung 10) appear cyan and short, it indicates Sha Qi. If the Spleen pulse is firm and long, accompanied by a yellow complexion, the patient should be suffering from Sha Qi. If there is one pulse beat per exhalation and one beat per inhalation (extremely slow pulse rate), it is called Sha Qi. If the Chi (Cun Cun) pulse is firm but small and rare, it indicates Sha Qi; if the condition worsens, death will ensue. (This means the inner Chi position is firm while the pulse is paradoxically small, and Sha Qi symptoms intensify.)