Acupuncture Classic Book

Author: Qiongyao Real Person
Editor-in-Chief: Xu Yanchun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-03-01
Features:
Editor's Note:
Zhongyi Gujie Chubanshe, with the aim of excavating and organizing the heritage of traditional Chinese medicine, rescuing rare medical books on the brink of extinction, and providing reference materials for medical workers, researchers, and educators, has been publishing a series of medical books titled "Zhongyi Zhenben Congshu" since 1983. These books include treatises on basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine and clinical diagnosis and treatment. Due to the careful selection of base texts, which prioritize academic and bibliographic value, many precious medical books have been made available, earning widespread popularity among readers. We will continue to compile this series in the future. However, among the vast collection of traditional Chinese medical classics, there are also some rare books with high academic value that are unsuitable for facsimile printing due to their age, worn paper and faded ink, repeated revisions leading to numerous errors, profound and difficult-to-understand texts, or decorative styles that differ between ancient and modern editions. To address this, our publishing house will compile the "Zhenben Yij Congkan" series, appropriately punctuating and annotating these ancient texts before publishing them to preserve the original meanings, benefit future scholars, and contribute to the revitalization of traditional Chinese medicine and the well-being of humanity by providing better reading materials.
Zhongyi Gujie Chubanshe
Content Summary
"Zhenjiu Shenshu," also known as "Qiongyao Shenshu," is originally attributed to Qiongyao Real Person of the Song Dynasty. The book discusses meridians, qi and blood circulation, and the dimensions of acupoints, with a particular emphasis on elaborating on various acupuncture techniques and their specific applications. It also introduces acupuncture points and techniques for over 70 diseases. The text is mostly written in poetic form, making it easier for beginners. Due to the absence of any printed editions since the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty and the rarity of existing copies, the book holds significant bibliographic value. It is now annotated and published based on the Qing Daoguang edition preserved by the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote its dissemination.
Excerpt:
Volume 1: Qiongyao Shenshu
Tian Bu
Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, in the fifth year of the Chongning era, wrote an introduction to Qiongyao Real Person's acupuncture techniques.
① On discussing acupuncture, if a physician does not know which meridian is affected, randomly selects points, and lacks understanding of the methods to raise Yang or lower Yin, the patient's suffering will not be alleviated. Why is this?
Answer: First, the points are not accurately selected, and the physician does not understand the flow of qi. Second, the physician does not know the left tonification and right sedation methods, nor the precise measurements. Third, the physician does not understand the method to lower Yin, making it difficult to determine the correct points. Fourth, even if the physician knows when qi arrives, they may not understand whether it ascends or descends, or if it gathers along the needle. Fifth, the physician does not know the three methods of sweating, vomiting, and purgation. Sixth, the physician does not know the abdominal acupuncture method, which focuses solely on tonification and sedation, causing qi and blood to stagnate. Seventh, the physician does not know to shift pain from one area to another, nor to take cold from heat or heat from cold, nor to take cold when warmness is excessive or warmth when coldness is excessive. Additionally, the physician does not know to treat left paralysis with the right side and vice versa, nor to treat upper diseases with lower points or lower diseases with upper points. Eighth, the physician does not understand the floating, sinking, slow, fast, tight, and loose techniques of acupuncture, nor the causes of diseases, nor the breath counts and measurement divisions for tonification and sedation. Without knowing left tonification and right sedation, how can they treat the disease? First, one must examine the eight types of techniques, clarify the prohibitions of acupuncture, and distinguish the distances of meridians and acupoints, as well as the breathing rates and measurement divisions of each individual. When applied correctly, no disease will remain untreated. It is not advisable to withdraw the needle after tonification or sedation, nor to apply techniques uniformly. The key is to balance the treatment. Understand the true master's oral teachings and the secret techniques of acupuncture, and do not make mistakes.
Qiongyao Real Person's discussion on the techniques of raising Yang, lowering Yin, ascending qi, and descending qi:
The sun bladder and small intestine meridians should raise Yang and ascend through three meridians. The stomach and spleen meridians are used for two syndromes, and when qi descends, it is hot and should proceed forward. For Yang meridians like the gallbladder and triple energizer, divide the techniques into Yin and Yang based on ascending and descending qi. The spleen and stomach meridians of the Taiyin meridian should adjust qi, and taking the ascending Yang method yields remarkable effects. The Shaoyin meridian of the heart and kidney should use rubbing and massage techniques, and it is essential to take the descending Yang method. The Jueyin meridian should primarily use ascending Yang techniques, and for cold extremities, rubbing should be strong to generate heat. If a master practices this method, they can avoid causing harm to the patient.
①