Acupuncture Treatment: Seasonal Methods Revealed
The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: “The changes in the climate of the four seasons are different, and the occurrence of diseases is related to the climate. How can we determine the methods of acupuncture treatment?” Qi Bo replied: “The evil qi of the four seasons invades the human body and causes diseases, but each has a specific location. The principle of moxibustion and acupuncture should also be determined according to the different发病 (fa bing, “onset of disease”) seasons to select the relevant acupoints. Therefore, in spring acupuncture, the interstices of the network vessels and flesh are used. For severe diseases, deep needling is applied, and for mild diseases, shallow needling is used; in summer acupuncture, the yang meridians, sun collaterals, or the interstices of the flesh are used, and the skin is punctured superficially; in autumn acupuncture, the transport points of each meridian are used. If the disease evil is in the six fu organs, the he points can be used; in winter acupuncture, the well and spring points of each meridian are used, and deep needling with a longer needle retention time is applied.”
For those suffering from warm malaria without sweating, 59 main acupoints for treating febrile diseases can be used. For those with风水病 (feng shui bing, “edema”), 50 main acupoints for treating water diseases can be used. If there are blood vessels in the skin, bloodletting should be performed. For those with飧泄症 (sun xie zheng, “diarrhea”), the three yin intersection point should be supplemented, and at the same time, the yin lingquan point should be needled upwards. The needle should be retained for a long time until a sensation of heat is felt under the needle before stopping.
For those with转筋 (zhuan jin, “cramps”) on the outer side, the acupoints of the three yang meridians are used; for those with cramps on the inner side, the acupoints of the three yin meridians are used, and both are punctured with fire needles.
For those with edema without wind evil, the area three inches below the navel is first punctured with a铍针 (bi zhen, “bi needle”), and then a hollow needle like a tube is inserted into the puncture site to suck out the water in the abdomen. This is repeated until the water is completely drained. After the water is gone, the muscles become firm. If the drainage is slow, it will make the patient irritable and full; if the drainage is faster, the patient will feel comfortable and quiet. This method can be performed every other day until the water is completely drained, and diuretic drugs should be taken concurrently. Generally, the medicine is taken just after the acupuncture starts. Do not eat while taking medicine, and do not take medicine while eating. Initially, avoid food that injures the spleen and helps dampness for 135 days.
For those with various types of bi syndrome (bi zheng, “arthritis”) that have not healed for a long time, it is because cold and dampness have been lingering inside. Fire needle should be used to puncture the足三里 (zu san li, “Zu San Li point”) on the foot. If there is discomfort in the abdomen, the足三里 (zu san li) point should be needled for treatment. For those with strong evil qi, the drainage method is used, and for those with weak healthy qi, the supplementation method is used. For those with leprosy, the swollen areas should be frequently punctured with needles, and then the affected areas should be punctured with sharp needles, and the toxic gas and bad blood should be pressed out by hand until the swelling subsides. Patients should regularly eat suitable food and avoid any food that is not conducive to conditioning.
Symptom Decoder Ring 🔍
• Gurgling belly (腹鸣 fùmíng) + chest pressure = 大肠 rebellion
→ Acu-circuit fix: Qìhǎi (气海 Sea of Qi) + Zúsānlǐ (足三里 Leg Three Miles)
Pro Tip: Think of these points as your body’s bio-drain uncloggers
• Groin-to-heart pain chain = 小肠疝气 hijack
→ Acu-hack: Liver detox (太冲 Tàichōng) + Small Intestine reset (下巨虚 Xiàjùxū)
Bonus: Massage umbilical HQ (神阙 Shénquè) like rebooting WiFi router
Bile Burps Protocol 🤢
When 呕胆 ǒudǎn strikes (苦味呕吐 + panic attacks):
1️⃣ Zúsānlǐ (足三里) – Your gastric elevator DOWN button
2️⃣ GB34 (阳陵泉 Yánglíngquán) – Gallbladder’s emergency brake
3️⃣ Diet Rx: Sip peppermint tea like liquid zen
Digestive Traffic Control 🚦
Food stuck in chest highway?
→ Upper blockage: Shàngwǎn (上脘) – The esophageal snowplow
→ Lower jam: Xiàwǎn (下脘) + moxa warmth – Digestive defrost setting
Bladder gridlock (小便不通 xiǎobiàn bùtōng):
→ Wěiyáng (委阳) – Your pelvic floodgate release
Pulse Whisperer’s Guide 💓
🔵 人迎 Rényíng pulse (颈动脉) = Your body’s CEO checkup
⚪ 气口 Qìkǒu pulse (桡动脉) = Organ department KPI dashboard
Diagnostic Cheat Sheet:
• Wire-taut pulse → Pathogen party in town 🎉
• Marshmallow pulse → Healing squad en route 🚑
• 3-day countdown pulse → Bio-system reboot imminent ⏳
Acu-nerd Notes:
- 神 Shén monitoring: Eyes are the soul’s WiFi signal bars
- 气 Qì mapping: Like reading cellular network strength charts
- Treatment principle: “Reset bio-circuitry, don’t just zap symptoms”