Blood, Qi, Body and Will

The normal physiological constants of the human body are as follows: the Greater Yang channel typically has abundant blood and scant qi; the Lesser Yang channel typically has scant blood and abundant qi; the Bright Yang channel typically has abundant qi and abundant blood; the Lesser Yin channel typically has scant blood and abundant qi; the Reverting Yin channel typically has abundant blood and scant qi; the Greater Yin channel typically has abundant qi and scant blood. These are the innate constants of the human body.

The foot Greater Yang bladder channel and the foot Lesser Yin kidney channel are exterior-interiorly paired; the foot Lesser Yang gallbladder channel and the foot Reverting Yin liver channel are exterior-interiorly paired; the foot Bright Yang stomach channel and the foot Greater Yin spleen channel are exterior-interiorly paired. These are the pairings of the three foot yin channels and the three foot yang channels. The hand Greater Yang small intestine channel and the hand Lesser Yin heart channel are exterior-interiorly paired; the hand Lesser Yang triple burner channel and the hand Reverting Yin pericardium channel are exterior-interiorly paired; the hand Bright Yang large intestine channel and the hand Greater Yin lung channel are exterior-interiorly paired. These are the pairings of the three hand yin channels and the three hand yang channels.

Now that the disorders arising from the hand and foot yin and yang channels are known, in general, when treating illness, one must first release blood to dispel pathogenic factors, thereby removing the patient's suffering. Then observe the patient's needs, and subsequently drain what is in excess and supplement what is deficient.

To determine the location of the back transport points, first measure the width between the two nipples. Fold a straw rope in half at its midpoint. Then use another straw rope to measure half the length of the folded rope. Next, bring the ends of the two ropes together to support each other, forming a triangle. Raise this triangle to measure the back, aligning one apex upward with the Great Hammer point on the spine. The two lower apices will correspond to the Lung Transport points. Moving down one degree (i.e., shifting the triangle down by one position), the points correspond to the Heart Transport points. Moving down another degree, the left apex corresponds to the Liver Transport point, and the right apex corresponds to the Spleen Transport point. Moving down another degree, the points correspond to the Kidney Transport points. This is the method for locating the five viscera transport points, and it serves as the standard for moxibustion and needling.

When the body is at ease but the spirit is distressed, disease often arises in the blood vessels; treatment should employ moxibustion and needling. When the body is at ease and the spirit is also joyful, disease often arises in the muscles; treatment should employ needling and stone needling. When the body is toilsome but the spirit is joyful, disease often arises in the sinews; treatment should employ hot compresses and guided stretching. When the body is toilsome and the spirit is also distressed, disease often arises in the throat; treatment should employ various medicinal substances. When the body has repeatedly suffered fright and alarm, causing blockage of qi and blood in the channels and vessels, disease often arises in numbness and loss of sensation; treatment should employ massage and medicinal wine. These are the diseases arising from the five states of form and mind and their corresponding treatments.

When needling the Bright Yang channel, one may let both blood and qi. When needling the Greater Yang channel, one may let blood but must be cautious not to harm qi. When needling the Lesser Yang channel, one may let qi but must be cautious not to harm blood. When needling the Greater Yin channel, one may let qi but must be cautious not to harm blood. When needling the Lesser Yin channel, one may let qi but must be cautious not to harm blood. When needling the Reverting Yin channel, one may let blood but must be cautious not to harm qi.