Huangdi said: Well spoken. Huangdi continued: The method of needling as mentioned in the chapter on “Jie Jie” refers to the needling of the six fu organs’ collateral channels, which do not have fixed locations. Please explain this in detail. Qibo replied: This condition arises from an excess of Yang Qi and a deficiency of Yin Qi. A deficiency of Yin Qi leads to internal heat, while an excess of Yang Qi results in external heat. The internal and external heat conflict with each other, causing the person to feel hotter than holding a burning coal, and they become very averse to external fabrics and other materials, unable to let clothing touch their body or bed. The pores are blocked, preventing sweat from being released, the tongue is scorched and dry, the lips are chapped, and the throat is dry, with no picky eating habits regarding food.
Huangdi said: Good. How should this be treated? Qibo replied: Needle Tianfu (Tianfu Point) and Dazhu (Dazhu Point) three times each, then needle Zhonglu (Zhonglu Point) to clear the internal heat and replenish the hand Taiyin meridian, promoting the release of sweat. This treatment is more effective than simply removing clothing to dissipate heat. Huangdi said: Good.
Huangdi said: The method of resolving doubts mentioned in “Jie Jie” is based on the principles of Yin and Yang changes, supplementing deficiencies and draining excesses to restore balance. How can we resolve doubts? Qibo replied: Wind pathogens invade the body, causing the Qi and blood in the vessels to be deficient in some areas and excessive in others. The body may feel light or heavy, unstable, tilted, bent, or prostrated, disoriented, fluctuating up and down, reversing and repeating, with a state of confusion more severe than ordinary bewilderment.
Huangdi said: Good. How should this be treated? Qibo replied: Drain the excess Qi and blood, supplement the deficient Qi and blood, and restore balance between Yin and Yang. Using this needling method can quickly resolve doubts. Huangdi said: Good. I will treasure this content in the Linglan Chamber and will not easily disclose it.
Huangdi said: I have heard that there are five evils in acupuncture. What are the five evils? Qibo replied: Diseases can manifest as abscesses, with either excessive or minimal pathogenic Qi, heat syndromes, or cold syndromes; these are the five evils.
Huangdi said: How should acupuncture treat the five evils? Qibo replied: Generally, the principles for acupuncture treatment of the five evils can be summarized in five guidelines, which can eliminate heat syndromes, disperse swellings, warm cold blockages, restore deficient conditions, and expel excessive syndromes. Let me explain the specific methods.
For treating abscesses with acupuncture, do not needle directly against the swelling’s momentum. Instead, change the patient’s bad habits and temperament. If pus has not been expelled, the needling method should be altered to disperse the pathogenic Qi of the abscess, preventing it from becoming fixed in one place, allowing the abscess to gradually dissipate. For any meridians passing through the abscess area, needle the acupoints along these meridians to drain.
For treating major evils with acupuncture, the pathogenic Qi should be gradually weakened through draining methods, expelling the excess pathogenic Qi to make it weaker. Quickly unblock the meridians, needle the area where the disease is located, and carefully observe the condition of the muscles, avoiding damage to the righteous Qi. Needle between the muscles of the Yang meridians.
For treating minor evils with acupuncture, the righteous Qi should be gradually strengthened through supplementation, ensuring no harm occurs. Observe the area where the pathogenic Qi is located and needle at the boundary where the pathogenic Qi is about to invade, allowing the righteous Qi from both near and far to reach, preventing the pathogenic Qi from invading outward and causing it to weaken. Needle between the muscles.
For treating heat evils with acupuncture, the heat should be allowed to disperse outward, like clouds dissipating, so it does not return, leading to recovery from the disease. Open the pores and create an outlet for the heat to be expelled, and the disease will heal.
For treating cold evils with acupuncture, the cold should be gradually warmed. The insertion and withdrawal of the needle should be slow to stimulate the meridian Qi; close the pores to prevent Qi and blood from dispersing, harmonizing deficiency and excess, allowing the righteous Qi to remain.
Huangdi said: How should different needle types be selected during acupuncture? Qibo replied: Use a beryllium needle for abscesses; a sharp needle for excessive pathogenic Qi; a round needle for minimal pathogenic Qi; a chisel needle for heat syndromes; and a fine needle for cold syndromes.
Let me discuss the explanation. The human body corresponds with heaven and earth, and aligns with the four seasons. Humans can interact between heaven and earth, thus allowing for an explanation of the principles of acupuncture. Below, there is moist soil, and above, reeds and bulrushes grow, indicating the quantity of Qi and form in the human body. Yin and Yang are like cold and heat; when the weather is hot, rain moistens above, and the roots of plants become less juicy. The Yang Qi of the human body is also at the surface; the skin relaxes, the pores open, Qi and blood diminish, sweat is released in large amounts, and the muscles are smooth. When the weather is cold, the earth freezes, rivers ice over, and the Yang Qi of the human body is internal; the skin becomes tight, the pores close, sweat cannot be released, Qi and blood are abundant, and the muscles are firm and stagnant. At such times, those skilled in water cannot walk on ice, those adept at penetrating the earth cannot break through frozen soil, and those proficient in needling cannot treat conditions of limb reversal. This is because the blood vessels are congealed, hard, and obstructed, and cannot be softened immediately. Therefore, those who treat water must wait for warm weather, for the ice to melt, and the water to flow, and the earth to be penetrable. The same applies to the meridians of the human body. To treat reversal conditions, one must first use hot compresses to harmonize the meridians, applying heat to the palms and armpits, elbows and feet, neck and back to harmonize Qi and blood. When the fire Qi reaches the meridians, the blood vessels can circulate. Then observe the condition; if the pulse is smooth, use acupuncture to calm it; if the pulse is tight, use acupuncture to break and disperse the pathogenic Qi until the Qi flows downward, at which point you can stop. This is the method of resolving knots.
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