黄帝问曰∶何谓缪刺？岐伯对曰∶夫邪之客于形也，必先舍于皮毛，留而不去，入舍于
络脉，留而不去，入舍于经脉，内连五脏，散于肠胃，阴阳俱感，五脏乃伤，此乃邪之从皮
毛而入，极于五脏之次也。如此则治其经焉。
今邪客于皮毛，入舍于孙络，留而不去，闭塞不通，不得入经，溢于大络而生奇病焉。
夫邪客大络者，左注右，右注左，上下左右，与经相干，而布于四末，其气无常处，不及于
经俞，名曰缪刺。曰∶以左取右，以右取左，其与巨刺何以别之？曰∶邪客于经也，左盛
则右病，右盛则左病，亦有易且移者，左痛未已而右脉先病，如此者，必巨刺之，必中其
经，非络脉也。故络病者，其痛与经脉缪处，故曰缪刺。（巨刺者刺其经，缪刺者刺其络。）
曰∶缪刺取之何如？曰∶邪客于足少阴之络，令人卒心痛，暴胀，胸胁支满。无积者，刺然谷
之前出血，如食顷而已，左取右，右取左。病新发者，五日已。
邪客于手少阳（一作阴）之络，令人喉痹舌卷，口干心烦，臂外廉痛，手不及头。刺手中
指（当作小指）次指爪甲上去端如韭叶，各一 （音悔），壮者立已，老者有顷已，左取右
，右取左，此新病，数日已。
邪客于足厥阴之络，令人卒疝暴痛。刺足大指爪甲上与肉交者各一 ，男子立已
，女子有顷已，左取右，右取左。
邪客于足太阳之络，令人头项痛，肩痛。刺足小指爪甲上与肉交者各一 ，立已
，不已刺外踝上三 ，左取右，右取左，如食顷已。
邪客于手阳明之络，令人气满胸中，喘急而支怯胸中热。刺手大指次指爪甲上去
端如韭叶，各一 ，左取右，右取左，如食顷已。
邪客于臂掌之间，不得屈，刺其踝后，先以指按之，痛乃刺之。以月死生为数，月生
一日一 ，二日二 ，十五日十五 ，十六日十四 。
邪客于足阳跷之脉，令人目痛，从内 始。刺外踝之下半寸所，各二 ，左取右，
右取左，如行十里顷而已。
人有所堕坠，恶血留于内，腹中胀满，不得前后，先饮利药，此上
伤厥阴之脉，下伤少阴之络。刺足内踝之下，然谷之前，血脉出血，刺跗上动脉。不已。刺
三毛上各一 ，见血立已，左取右，右取左。善惊善悲不乐，刺如右方。
邪客于手阳明之络，令人耳聋，时不闻音，刺手大指次指爪甲上端如韭叶，各一 ，
立闻。不已，刺中指爪甲上与肉交者，立闻。其不时闻者，不可刺也。耳中生风者，亦刺之
如此数，右取左，左取右。
凡痹行往来无常处者，在分肉间痛而刺之，以月生死为数。用
针者，随气盛衰，以为 数，针过其日数则脱气，不及其日数则气不泻，左刺右，右刺
左。病如故，复刺之如法，以月生死为数，月生一日一 ，二日二 ，渐多之，十五
日十五 ，十六日十四 ，渐少之。
邪客于足阳明之络（《素问》作经，王冰云∶以其脉左右交于面部，故举经脉之病，以
明缪刺之类），令人鼽衄，上齿寒。刺足中指（《素问》注云∶刺大指次指）爪甲上与肉交者
，各一 。左取右，右取左。
邪客于足少阳之络，令人胁痛不得息，咳而汗出。刺足小指（《素》有次指二字）爪甲
上与肉交者各一 ，不得息立已，汗出立止，咳者温衣饮食，一日已，左刺右，右则
左，病立已，不已，复刺如法。
邪客于足少阴之络，令人咽痛，不可内食，无故善怒，气上走贲上。刺足中央之络，各
三，凡六刺立已，左刺右，右刺左。
邪客于足太阴之络，令人腰痛，引少腹控 ，不可以仰息。刺其腰尻之解，两胂之
上，是腰俞，以月死生为 数，发针立已，左刺右，右刺左。
邪客于足太阳之络，令人拘挛背急引胁而痛，内引心而痛。刺之从项始数脊椎侠
脊，疾按之应手而痛，刺入傍三 ，立已。
邪客于足少阳之络，令人留于枢中痛，髀不得气（一作髀不可举），刺枢中以毫针，寒则
留针，以月死生为 数立已。
诸经刺之，所过者不病，则缪刺之。耳聋刺手阳明，不已
，刺其过脉出耳前者。齿龋刺手阳明立已，不已，刺其脉入齿中者立已。
邪客于五脏之间，其病也脉引而痛，时来时止，视其病脉，缪刺之于手足爪甲上，视
其脉，出其血，间日一刺，一刺不已，五刺已。缪传引上齿，齿唇寒（《素》多一痛字），视
其手背脉血者去之，刺足阳明中指爪甲上一 ，手大指次指爪甲上各一 立已
，左取右，右取左。嗌中肿，不能内唾，不能出唾者，缪刺然骨之前出血立已，左取右，
右取左。（自溢肿至此二十九字，《素问》王冰注原在邪客足少阴络之下，今移在此。）
邪客于手足少阴、太阴（一作阳）、足阳明之络，此五络者，皆会于耳中，上络左角，五
络俱竭，
足心，后刺足中指爪甲上各有一 ，后刺手大指内侧爪甲上端如韭叶（《素问》又云后刺
手心主者，非也），后刺手少阴锐骨之端各一 ，立已。不已，以竹筒吹其两耳中，剔其
左角之发方寸，燔治，饮以美酒一杯，不能饮者，灌之立已。
凡刺之数，先视其经脉，切而循之，审其虚实而调之。不调者，经刺之；有痛而经不病
者，缪刺之。目视其皮部有血络者，尽取之。此缪刺之数也。
黄帝问道：什么叫缪刺？岐伯回答说：邪气侵犯人体，必定先停留在皮毛，如果停留不去，就会进入络脉；如果继续停留不去，就会进入经脉，向内连及五脏，散布于肠胃，导致阴阳俱受邪气侵袭，五脏因而受伤。这是邪气从皮毛侵入，进而深入五脏的次序。像这种情况，应当治疗其经脉。
现在，邪气客居在皮毛，进入孙络，停留不去，导致闭塞不通，无法进入经脉，反而溢入大络而产生奇特的病症。邪气客居在大络时，左侧的病气流向右侧，右侧的病气流向左侧，上下左右交错，与经脉相互干扰，并布散于四肢末端，其气流没有固定的位置，不经过经穴，这种刺法叫做缪刺。有人问：缪刺是左病取右、右病取左，它与巨刺有什么区别呢？回答是：邪气客居在经脉时，左侧盛实则右侧发病，右侧盛实则左侧发病，也有病情转移变化的，比如左侧疼痛未止而右侧脉象先出现病变，像这种情况，必须用巨刺法，一定要刺中其经脉，而不是络脉。所以络脉生病，其疼痛部位与经脉交错不同，因此称为缪刺。（巨刺是刺经脉，缪刺是刺络脉。）
又问：缪刺如何选取穴位？回答是：邪气客居在足少阴肾经的络脉，使人突然心痛、暴胀、胸胁支撑满闷。如果没有积滞，针刺然谷穴前方出血，大约一顿饭的时间就好了，左病取右，右病取左。新发的病，五天可愈。
邪气客居在手少阳三焦经（一说手少阴心经）的络脉，使人喉痹、舌卷缩、口干、心烦、手臂外侧疼痛、手不能举过头顶。针刺手中指（应为小指）和次指爪甲上，距离指尖如韭菜叶宽的地方，各刺一针（音悔），体质壮的人立即痊愈，年老体弱的人片刻后痊愈，左病取右，右病取左，这是新病，几天后可愈。
邪气客居在足厥阴肝经的络脉，使人突发疝气剧痛。针刺足大指爪甲上与肉交接处，各刺一针，男子立即痊愈，女子片刻后痊愈，左病取右，右病取左。
邪气客居在足太阳膀胱经的络脉，使人头项痛、肩痛。针刺足小指爪甲上与肉交接处，各刺一针，立即痊愈；如果不愈，再针刺外踝上方三寸处，左病取右，右病取左，大约一顿饭的时间就好。
邪气客居在手阳明大肠经的络脉，使人气满胸中、喘急、胸中支撑怯弱且发热。针刺手大指和次指爪甲上，距离指尖如韭菜叶宽的地方，各刺一针，左病取右，右病取左，大约一顿饭的时间就好。
邪气客居在臂掌之间，导致关节不得屈伸，针刺其踝后方，先用手指按压，感到疼痛处再下针。以月亮盈亏变化作为针刺数量的依据，月亮初生第一天刺一针，第二天刺两针，第十五天刺十五针，第十六天刺十四针。
邪气客居在足阳跷脉，使人目痛，从内眼角开始。针刺外踝下半寸处，各刺二针，左病取右，右病取左，大约行走十里路的时间就好了。
人如果有跌坠损伤，恶血留滞体内，腹部胀满，大小便不通，应先服用通利药物。这是因为上部伤了厥阴之脉，下部伤了少阴之络。针刺足内踝下方、然谷穴前方的血脉使其出血，再刺足背动脉。如果不愈，再刺足大趾指甲上的丛毛处（即大敦穴附近），各刺一针，见血立即痊愈，左病取右，右病取左。如果伴有易惊、悲伤不乐的症状，针刺方法同上。
邪气客居在手阳明大肠经的络脉，使人耳聋，时常听不见声音，针刺手大指和次指爪甲上端如韭菜叶宽处，各刺一针，立即能听见。如果不愈，再刺中指爪甲上与肉交接处，立即能听见。如果是长期耳聋不可治愈的，不可针刺。耳中生风者，也按此法针刺，左病取右，右病取左。
凡是痹症游走不定、没有固定位置的，在分肉间疼痛处针刺，以月亮盈亏作为针刺数量。使用针法的人，要根据气血盛衰来决定针刺数量，针刺超过规定的天数会耗伤正气，少于规定天数则邪气不能排出，左病刺右，右病刺左。如果病仍如故，再次按法针刺，以月亮盈亏为据，月亮初生第一天一针，第二天两针，逐渐增加，第十五天十五针，第十六天十四针，逐渐减少。
邪气客居在足阳明胃经的络脉（《素问》作经脉，王冰注云：因为其经脉左右交叉于面部，所以列举经脉的病证来说明缪刺的类别），使人鼻塞流涕或鼻出血，上齿发冷。针刺足中指（《素问》注云：刺大指次指）爪甲上与肉交接处，各刺一针。左病取右，右病取左。
邪气客居在足少阳胆经的络脉，使人胁痛、呼吸不畅、咳嗽且出汗。针刺足小指（《素问》有“次指”二字）爪甲上与肉交接处，各刺一针，呼吸不畅立即缓解，出汗立即停止，咳嗽者注意保暖衣物饮食，一天可愈，左病刺右，右病刺左，病立即痊愈；如果不愈，再次按法针刺。
邪气客居在足少阴肾经的络脉，使人咽痛，不能进食，无故容易发怒，气向上冲至贲门之上。针刺足中央的络脉，各刺三针，共六刺，立即痊愈，左病刺右，右病刺左。
邪气客居在足太阴脾经的络脉，使人腰痛，牵引少腹及髋部，不能仰卧呼吸。针刺腰尻部的缝隙，两胂肌上方，这里是腰俞穴，以月亮盈亏决定针刺次数，起针后立即痊愈，左病刺右，右病刺左。
邪气客居在足太阳膀胱经的络脉，使人拘挛、背部僵硬、牵引胁肋疼痛，内部牵引心脏疼痛。针刺从颈部开始，沿脊椎两侧计数，快速按压找到应手疼痛处，向旁侧刺入三针，立即痊愈。
邪气客居在足少阳胆经的络脉，使人枢骨部位疼痛，大腿不能抬举（一说大腿无气力），用毫针刺枢骨部位，寒证则留针，以月亮盈亏决定针刺次数，立即痊愈。
对于各经的刺法，所经过的部位没有病变，就采用缪刺法。耳聋刺手阳明经，不愈，刺经过耳朵前方的经脉。牙齿龋痛刺手阳明经，立即痊愈，不愈，刺进入牙齿中的经脉，立即痊愈。
邪气客居在五脏之间，病症表现为经脉牵引疼痛，时来时止，观察其病脉，在手脚爪甲上进行缪刺，观察血脉，放出血液，每隔一天刺一次，一次不愈，五次即可痊愈。如果缪传导致上齿牵引疼痛，牙齿嘴唇发冷（《素问》多一个“痛”字），观察手背血脉中有瘀血的去除它，刺足阳明经足中指爪甲上一针，手大指和次指爪甲上各一针，立即痊愈，左病取右，右病取左。咽喉肿胀，不能吞咽唾液，也不能吐出唾液者，缪刺然谷穴前方出血，立即痊愈，左病取右，右病取左。（从“自溢肿至此二十九字”，《素问》王冰注原在“邪客足少阴络之下”，现移在此处。）
邪气客居在手足少阴、太阴（一作阳）、足阳明这五条络脉，这五条络脉都汇聚于耳中，上行联络左额角。如果这五条络脉的气血都竭绝，（救治顺序为：先刺足大趾爪甲上丛毛处各一针，后刺足中指爪甲上各一针，后刺手大指内侧爪甲上端如韭菜叶宽处（《素问》又说后刺手心主经是错误的），后刺手少阴经锐骨之端各一针，立即痊愈。如果不愈，用竹筒吹其双耳，剃去左额角方寸面积的头发，烧灼制成粉末，用一杯美酒送服，不能饮酒者灌服，立即痊愈。
凡是用针的原则，先观察其经脉，切按循摸，审察虚实并进行调理。不调和的，用经刺法；有疼痛但经脉本身无病的，用缪刺法。目视其皮部有血络的，全部刺破放血。这就是缪刺的原则。
Huangdi asked, "What is called Miao Ci (缪刺, Contralateral Puncture)?" Qibo replied, "When pathogenic factors invade the body, they first lodge in the skin and hair. If they remain there without being expelled, they enter the Luo vessels (collaterals). If they continue to remain, they enter the Jing meridians (main channels), internally connecting to the Zang organs and dispersing into the stomach and intestines. When both Yin and Yang are affected by pathogens, the Zang organs are injured. This is the sequence of pathogens entering from the skin and hair and reaching the extreme depth of the Zang organs. In such cases, one should treat the Jing meridians."
"Now, when pathogens lodge in the skin and hair, they enter the Sun Luo vessels (fine collaterals). If they remain there without being expelled, causing blockage and obstruction, they cannot enter the Jing meridians but instead overflow into the Da Luo vessels (major collaterals), generating strange diseases. When pathogens lodge in the Da Luo vessels, Qi from the left flows to the right, and Qi from the right flows to the left, interacting with the Jing meridians above and below, on the left and right, and distributing to the four extremities. Their Qi has no fixed location and does not reach the Shu points (transport points) of the meridians. This method is called Miao Ci."
"Someone asked, 'Miao Ci involves treating the left for right-sided ailments and the right for left-sided ailments. How does it differ from Ju Ci (巨刺, Major Contralateral Puncture)?' The answer is: 'When pathogens lodge in the Jing meridians, excess on the left causes disease on the right, and excess on the right causes disease on the left. There are also cases where the condition shifts or migrates; for example, pain on the left persists while the pulse on the right shows pathology first. In such cases, one must use Ju Ci, ensuring the needle penetrates the Jing meridian, not the Luo vessel. Therefore, when a Luo vessel is diseased, its pain location differs from that of the Jing meridian, hence it is called Miao Ci.' (Ju Ci punctures the Jing meridians, while Miao Ci punctures the Luo vessels.)"
"Another question was raised, 'How are acupoints selected for Miao Ci?' The answer is: 'When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, it causes sudden heart pain, acute distension, and fullness/supporting sensation in the chest and hypochondrium. If there is no accumulation, puncture the area anterior to Ran Gu (KI2) until bleeding occurs. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, the condition resolves. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. For newly onset diseases, recovery occurs within five days.'"
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (alternatively read as Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian), it causes throat obstruction, tongue retraction, dry mouth, mental restlessness, pain along the lateral aspect of the arm, and inability to raise the hand to the head. Puncture the areas on the nails of the middle finger (should be little finger) and the next finger, at a distance from the tip like the width of a leek leaf, needling each point once. Those with strong constitution recover immediately; those who are elderly recover after a short while. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. This is a new disease, which will resolve in a few days."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, it causes sudden hernia and acute pain. Puncture the area on the nail of the big toe where the nail meets the flesh, needling each side once. Men recover immediately; women recover after a short while. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, it causes pain in the head and neck, and shoulder pain. Puncture the area on the nail of the little toe where the nail meets the flesh, needling each side once. Recovery is immediate. If not resolved, puncture three cun above the lateral malleolus. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. Recovery occurs after about the time it takes to eat a meal."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, it causes Qi fullness in the chest, rapid breathing, a feeling of support and weakness in the chest, and heat in the chest. Puncture the areas on the nails of the big toe and the next finger, at a distance from the tip like the width of a leek leaf, needling each point once. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. Recovery occurs after about the time it takes to eat a meal."
"When pathogens lodge between the arm and palm, causing inability to flex, puncture the posterior aspect of the ankle. First press with the finger; when pain is elicited, then puncture. Use the waxing and waning of the moon to determine the number of needles. On the first day of the waxing moon, use one needle; on the second day, two needles; on the fifteenth day, fifteen needles; on the sixteenth day, fourteen needles."
"When pathogens lodge in the Foot Yangqiao Vessel, it causes eye pain starting from the inner canthus. Puncture half a cun below the lateral malleolus, needling each side twice. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. Recovery occurs after the time it takes to walk ten li."
"If a person suffers a fall, causing evil blood to stagnate internally, leading to abdominal distension and inability to urinate or defecate, first administer purgative medicines. This injury damages the Jueyin vessel above and the Shaoyin Luo vessel below. Puncture the area below the medial malleolus and anterior to Ran Gu (KI2) to bleed the blood vessels. Then puncture the arterial pulse on the dorsum of the foot. If not resolved, puncture the hair tufts on the big toe (Dadun, LR1), needling each side once until bleeding appears. Recovery is immediate. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. If accompanied by palpitations, sadness, and unhappiness, apply the same needling method."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, it causes deafness and intermittent loss of hearing. Puncture the areas on the nails of the big toe and the next finger, at the tip like the width of a leek leaf, needling each point once. Hearing is restored immediately. If not resolved, puncture the area on the nail of the middle finger where it meets the flesh. Hearing is restored immediately. If the deafness is chronic and unresponsive, do not puncture. If wind is felt in the ears, apply this method as well, treating the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left."
"For all Bi syndromes that move around without a fixed location, puncture where the pain is located between the muscle layers. Use the waxing and waning of the moon to determine the number of needles. The practitioner must adjust the number of needles according to the prosperity and decline of Qi. Needling beyond the prescribed number depletes Qi; needling fewer than the prescribed number fails to expel pathogens. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. If the disease persists, repeat the treatment according to the method, using the moon's phases. On the first day of the waxing moon, one needle; on the second day, two needles, increasing gradually. On the fifteenth day, fifteen needles; on the sixteenth day, fourteen needles, decreasing gradually."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Suwen reads 'Jing meridian'; Wang Bing notes: 'Because its meridians cross on the face, citing meridian diseases clarifies the category of Miao Ci'), it causes nasal congestion, epistaxis, and coldness in the upper teeth. Puncture the area on the nail of the middle toe (Suwen note: puncture the big toe and next finger) where the nail meets the flesh, needling each point once. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, it causes hypochondriac pain, difficulty breathing, coughing, and sweating. Puncture the area on the nail of the little toe (Suwen includes 'next finger') where the nail meets the flesh, needling each point once. Difficulty breathing resolves immediately; sweating stops immediately. For coughing, keep warm with clothing and diet; recovery occurs in one day. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. The disease resolves immediately. If not resolved, repeat the treatment."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, it causes sore throat, inability to swallow food, spontaneous anger, and Qi rushing upward to the贲门 (cardia). Puncture the Luo vessels in the center of the foot, needling each side three times, totaling six punctures. Recovery is immediate. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, it causes lower back pain radiating to the lower abdomen and hip, making it impossible to breathe while lying supine. Puncture the gap in the sacrum, above the two gluteal muscles, which is Yaoshu (BL23). Use the waxing and waning of the moon to determine the number of needles. Recovery is immediate upon withdrawing the needle. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, it causes spasms, stiffness of the back, pain radiating to the hypochondrium, internal pain radiating to the heart. Start needling from the nape, counting vertebrae along the spine. Press quickly to find the tender spot; puncture obliquely three times. Recovery is immediate."
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessel of the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, it causes pain in the pivot region (hip joint) and inability to lift the thigh (or lack of Qi in the thigh). Use a filiform needle to puncture the pivot region. In cold patterns, retain the needle. Use the waxing and waning of the moon to determine the number of needles. Recovery is immediate."
"For needling various meridians, if the pathway is not diseased, use Miao Ci. For deafness, puncture the Hand Yangming meridian; if ineffective, puncture the meridian passing before the ear. For dental caries pain, puncture the Hand Yangming meridian; recovery is immediate. If ineffective, puncture the meridian entering the teeth; recovery is immediate."
"When pathogens lodge between the five Zang organs, the disease manifests as pulling pain in the meridians, coming and going intermittently. Observe the pathological pulses and apply Miao Ci on the hands and feet near the nails. Observe the vessels and release blood. Puncture every other day. If one session is ineffective, five sessions will suffice. If Miao transmission causes pulling pain in the upper teeth and coldness of the teeth and lips (Suwen adds 'pain'), observe the blood vessels on the dorsum of the hand and remove stasis. Puncture one needle on the nail of the middle toe of the Foot Yangming meridian, and one needle each on the nails of the big toe and next finger of the hand. Recovery is immediate. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. For swelling in the throat, inability to swallow saliva, or inability to expectorate saliva, apply Miao Ci by bleeding anterior to Ran Gu (KI2). Recovery is immediate. Treat the left side by needling the right, and the right side by needling the left. (From 'self-swelling' to these 29 characters, Wang Bing's note in Suwen originally followed 'pathogens lodge in Foot Shaoyin Luo', now moved here.)"
"When pathogens lodge in the Luo vessels of the Hand and Foot Shaoyin, Taiyin (alternatively Yang), and Foot Yangming meridians, these five Luo vessels all converge in the ear and ascend to connect with the left corner of the head. If all five Luo vessels are exhausted, (the rescue order is:) first puncture the hair tufts on the big toe, one needle each; then puncture the middle toe nail, one needle each; then puncture the medial end of the big toe nail like the width of a leek leaf (Suwen states that puncturing Pericardium later is incorrect); then puncture the sharp bone end of the Hand Shaoyin Heart meridian, one needle each. Recovery is immediate. If not resolved, blow air into both ears with a bamboo tube, shave a square inch of hair from the left corner of the head, burn it to ash, and drink a cup of fine wine. If unable to drink, force-feed; recovery is immediate."
"The general principle of needling is to first observe the meridians, palpate and trace them, assess their deficiency and excess, and regulate them. If regulation fails, use Jing Ci (meridian needling). If there is pain but the meridian itself is not diseased, use Miao Ci. Observe the skin regions for blood vessels; puncture all visible blood vessels. This is the principle of Miao Ci."