Needling Practice

The Yellow Emperor asked Qi Bo: I have learned from you the use of the nine needles and applied them to the people. The blood and qi of the people each have different patterns: some have a stirring spirit and qi that moves ahead of the needle; some have qi meeting the needle; some have the needle withdrawn while qi still moves alone; some need multiple needlings before they respond; some experience qi rising counterflow as the needle enters; some have their condition worsen after multiple needlings. These six conditions each have different manifestations; I wish to hear the reasoning behind them.

Qi Bo said: Those with extreme yang qi have a spirit that is easily stirred, and qi that moves easily. The Yellow Emperor asked: What is meant by those with extreme yang qi? Qi Bo said: Those with extreme yang qi have a fiery and proud temperament, speak quickly, and lift their feet high. Their heart and lung visceral qi are abundant, and their yang qi is smooth, full, and ascendant. Thus their spirit is stirred and qi moves ahead of the needle.

The Yellow Emperor asked: Among those with extreme yang qi, there are some whose spirit does not move ahead of the needle—why is this? Qi Bo said: Such people have a considerable amount of yin qi. The Yellow Emperor asked: How does one know they have considerable yin qi? Qi Bo said: Those with abundant yang qi tend toward joy; those with abundant yin qi tend toward anger. Those who are frequently angry have anger that resolves easily, hence it is said they have considerable yin qi. Their yin and yang are separated and difficult to unite, so the spirit cannot move ahead of the needle.

The Yellow Emperor asked: What about the condition where qi meets the needle? Qi Bo said: When yin and yang are harmonized, and blood and qi are moist and smooth, then as the needle enters, qi follows and comes out, meeting it swiftly.

The Yellow Emperor asked: When the needle is withdrawn but qi moves alone, what qi causes this? Qi Bo said: Such people have more yin qi and less yang qi. Yin qi is heavy and stagnant, while yang qi is floating. Yang qi is stored internally, so after the needle is withdrawn, qi follows behind it, thus moving alone.

The Yellow Emperor asked: When multiple needlings are needed before a response, what qi causes this? Qi Bo said: Such people have more yin qi and less yang qi, and their qi is heavy, stagnant, and difficult to move. Thus multiple needlings are needed before they respond.

The Yellow Emperor asked: When qi rises counterflow as the needle enters, what qi causes this? Qi Bo said: The condition of qi counterflow and the worsening after multiple needlings are not matters of the floating or sinking tendencies of yin and yang qi. These are all cases ruined by coarse physicians and errors made by skilled physicians; the patient’s physical form and qi have no fault themselves.