The Art of Acupuncture: Ancient Wisdom for Healing

Conversely, if the internal organs’ energy is already deficient, and needles are used to strengthen the yin, the result is “reverse exhaustion”—where the excessive focus on yin causes yang to diminish. In this scenario, the patient’s final hours are characterized by agitation, a sign of energy loss. Incorrectly targeting the extremities can exacerbate the depletion of vital energy, leading to irreversible damage.

When acupuncture needles strike the heart of the disease but are not removed, they will drain away precious vital energy. If the needle fails to hit the right target, but is removed too soon, the disease-causing energy lingers. It is essential for the practitioner to correctly identify the core of the issue and understand that too much energy loss or stagnation can worsen the patient’s condition.

The body’s organs are divided into six yang and six yin components, each with twelve specific “origin points” located at the elbows and knees. These points are critical for treating the organs. The twelve origin points represent areas that absorb and transmit the body’s full range of energy. Therefore, any ailment affecting the organs will manifest at these points, and understanding their properties allows the practitioner to diagnose and treat the conditions effectively. The heart and lungs, located above the diaphragm, are considered yang, with the lungs being the “yin” of the yang organs. Their origin points are found in the “Taiyuan” area, with two points on each side. The heart, being the dominant yang organ, has its origin points in “Daling,” also with two on each side. The liver, spleen, and kidneys reside below the diaphragm, representing the yin organs, and their respective origin points, such as “Taichong” for the liver and “Taipei” for the spleen, reflect this division. These points are essential for treating the various imbalances of the internal organs.

The twelve origin points are where the vital energies of the organs are directed. As such, they are key to addressing ailments within the organs and the six internal and external organs.

Treating a condition such as bloating requires stimulating the three yang meridians, while digestive disorders call for focusing on the three yin meridians. These principles are not merely abstract concepts; they mirror the body’s processes of release and replenishment, much like removing a splinter, cleansing a wound, untying a knot, or clearing a blocked river. Just because a disease has persisted for a long time does not mean it cannot be cured. A skilled acupuncturist understands that, like untangling a rope or clearing a clogged path, no illness is beyond treatment. To claim otherwise is simply an indication that one has not mastered the art of acupuncture.

Acupuncture for hot diseases is like testing a boiling pot with your hand—it’s a delicate balance. For conditions involving stagnation or blockages, one must approach the needlework with precision, maintaining focus on the correct acupoints. If the disease affects the upper body and is internal, the point “Yinlingquan” should be chosen. For external conditions in the upper body, “Yanglingquan” is more appropriate.

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo, “I cherish the myriad people, nourish the common folk, and levy taxes upon them. I grieve that they can barely sustain themselves and are often plagued by illness. I wish to forgo the use of medicinal herbs and stone puncture, instead employing fine needles to unblock the meridians, regulate the flow of Qi and blood, and enhance the circulation of Qi and blood within the meridians to treat diseases. To ensure that this therapeutic method can be passed down through the ages, it is essential to clearly propose the great law of acupuncture. To prevent it from being lost, to facilitate its application, and to ensure it is not forgotten, a well – organized system must be established, with distinct chapters and a differentiation between the exterior and interior. This will clarify the cyclical pattern of Qi and blood circulating throughout the human body. The shapes of various acupuncture instruments and their corresponding uses should also be explained. I believe that the first step should be to formulate the acupuncture canon. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.”

Qi Bo replied, “Allow me to proceed in order, starting from the small needle and progressing to the nine needles, to expound on the principles involved. The small needle is easy to master for treating diseases, but achieving exquisite skill is quite challenging. Inferior physicians rigidly adhere to the outward signs, while skilled physicians can administer acupuncture based on the changes in the condition. Amazing! Qi and blood flow through the meridians, entering and exiting through specific portals, and pathogenic factors can also invade the body through these portals. Without recognizing the disease, how can one understand the cause of its emergence? The mystery of acupuncture lies in the speed of the needle insertion. Physicians who merely cling to fixed acupoints near the limbs’ joints are like archers who can’t shoot accurately, while acupuncture masters can observe the movement and changes of the meridian Qi, as well as the flow of Qi. The meridian Qi does not depart from the orifices, and the profound mysteries contained within these orifices are extremely subtle. When pathogenic Qi is abundant, one should not tonify by confronting it, and when pathogenic Qi is diminished, one should not drain by pursuing it. Those who understand the key to the changes in Qi and administer treatment accordingly will have no slightest error, while those who do not understand the principles of Qi transformation are like arrows on a taut string, unable to shoot out in a timely and accurate manner. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp the mechanism of the coming and going, as well as the reverse and forward flow of meridian Qi, in order to seize the correct timing for acupuncture. Unskilled physicians are ignorant, while only renowned physicians can perceive its profound mysteries. The departure of healthy Qi is called reverse, and the return of healthy Qi is called smooth. Understanding the principles of reverse and smooth allows one to thrust the needle boldly without hesitation. If one uses the draining method when the healthy Qi is already deficient, how can it not become even more deficient? If one uses the tonifying method when pathogenic Qi is rampant, how can it not become even more excessive? To drain by confronting the pathogenic Qi and to tonify by following its departure, and to carefully experience the mysteries within, the way of acupuncture is thus exhausted.”

In acupuncture, when the healthy Qi is weak, the tonifying method should be applied, and when pathogenic Qi is excessive, the draining method should be used. For blood stasis and Qi stagnation, it should be dispersed, and when pathogenic Qi is dominant, the purgative method should be employed. The “Great Essentials” state: slow insertion and quick withdrawal of the needle, followed by immediate pressing of the needle hole, is the tonifying method, while quick insertion and slow withdrawal without pressing the needle hole is the draining method. The tonifying and draining mentioned here should be such that there is a sensation yet seems to be without sensation; by examining the arrival of Qi first or later, one can decide whether to retain or remove the needle. Whether using the tonifying or draining method, the patient should feel as if they have gained something from tonification and lost something from drainage.

The key points of tonifying and draining for deficiency and excess are most wonderfully achieved with the nine needles. Both tonification and drainage can be accomplished through acupuncture. The so – called draining method refers to quickly holding the needle and inserting it, after obtaining Qi, enlarging the needle hole by shaking, then rotating and withdrawing the needle to expel the superficial Yang and thus discharge the pathogenic Qi. If the needle hole is pressed closed when withdrawing the needle, it will cause the pathogenic Qi to be trapped inside, preventing the blood and Qi from dispersing and the pathogenic Qi from exiting! The so – called tonifying method means inserting the needle in the direction of the meridian’s course, as if nothing has happened, guiding the Qi, and the sensation when needling the acupoint is like a mosquito bite on the skin. When the needle enters the skin and waits for Qi, it seems to linger; after obtaining Qi, quickly withdraw the needle like an arrow leaving the bow, the right hand withdraws the needle, and the left hand immediately presses the needle hole, causing the meridian Qi to stay, and the needle hole is closed. The vital energy will still be replenished, and there will be no blood stasis remaining. If there is blood stasis, it should be removed in a timely manner.

The method of holding the needle is most valuable when it is firmly grasped with strength. Aim at the acupoint and insert the needle straight and upright, without deviating to the left or right. The needle – holder’s spirit should be focused on the needle tip and pay attention to the patient. At the same time, carefully observe the direction of the blood vessels and avoid them when inserting the needle to prevent danger. When about to perform acupuncture, pay attention to the changes in the patient’s eyes and facial expression to perceive the rise and fall of their spirit, and do not be the least bit negligent. If the blood vessels are clearly visible and palpable around the acupoint, the needle should be avoided during puncture.

The shapes of the nine needles are as varied as their names suggest. Let’s delve into the intricate details:

Chan Needle: This one is 1.6 inches long. With its big head and sharp point, it’s perfect for shallow pricks to vent external heat.
Round Needle: Also 1.6 inches, egg-shaped, and ideal for massaging between muscles without causing damage. Say goodbye to evil energy trapped in your muscles!
Lift Needle: A stout 3.5 inches, this one has a tip like a grain of millet. Press it on your meridians, and it’ll drive out the bad vibes without breaking the skin.
Sharp Needle: This 1.6-inch triple-edged wonder is your go-to for tackling stubborn ailments.
Spoon Needle: 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide, this needle’s sword-like edge can pierce abscesses and drain the pus.
Round Sharp Needle: Measuring 1.6 inches, it’s sharp yet round like a long hair—perfect for acute diseases.
Hair Needle: At 3.6 inches, it resembles a mosquito’s mouth. Gently prick the skin, nourish vital energy, disperse evil qi, and emerge rejuvenated.
Long Needle: A 7-inch, slender marvel for chronic ailments.
Big Needle: This 4-inch needle resembles a broken bamboo shoot and excels at draining joint fluid.

The essence of the nine needles lies in their shapes, designed to target specific acupoints. The variation isn’t just for show—each needle serves a unique purpose based on the condition it’s treating. Here’s a word to the wise: don’t use reinforcing methods for true symptoms or reducing methods for false ones, as this could aggravate the condition instead of alleviating it.

When evil qi invades the body’s meridians, yang evil tends to linger in the upper part, turbid qi in the middle, and clear qi in the lower part. Thus, needling the hollows between muscles and bones will expel yang evil, and needling the yangming channel will expel turbid qi. However, if the ailment is superficial but the needling is too deep, it might lead the evil qi deeper into the body, worsening the condition. Each acupoint is suited to different tissues and maladies, so choosing the right needle and technique is crucial.

Should the patient not feel the qi post-needling, patience is key—await the arrival of meridian qi before withdrawing the needle. The myriad shapes and uses of the nine needles are essential to acupuncture’s effectiveness, making it akin to a breeze blowing away clouds to reveal a clear sky.

Huang Di once asked to hear about the emergence of meridian qi in the five viscera and six bowels.

Qi Bo explained that each of the five viscera meridians has five acupoints—Well, Spring, Stream, River, and Sea, amounting to 25 points. The six bowels’ meridians have six points each, adding Source to the mix, totaling 36 points. The twelve principal meridians, each with a collateral, plus the Conception, Governor, and Spleen’s Great collaterals, amount to fifteen collaterals. Together, these 27 meridians traverse the body’s acupoints, forming a circulatory network.

By observing a patient’s complexion and eyes, one can gauge the balance of vital and evil qi. Analyzing physical strength and voice helps understand the real versus false conditions, guiding the right-hand needle and left-hand support for effective treatment. Once the needle reaches the qi, withdraw immediately.

This is the profound art of acupuncture, where efficacy is as clear as the day after a storm.

Before the use of acupuncture needles, it is essential to first assess the pulse. By understanding the balance of the internal organs’ energy—whether it is deficient or excessive—we can proceed with the treatment. If the vital energy of the organs has already been exhausted, attempting to supplement it by stimulating the exterior yang meridians may worsen the condition. This would lead to an imbalance where the yang becomes too excessive, and the yin further depleted, resulting in a fatal condition known as “severe depletion.” When this happens, the patient’s final moments will be marked by an unsettling calm, as the practitioner has violated the natural flow of energy and incorrectly targeted points in the armpits and chest, causing the internal vital energy to drain outward.

The twelve origin points are where the vital energies of the organs are directed. As such, they are key to addressing ailments within the organs and the six internal and external organs.

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