灵枢经·五禁 The Five Prohibitions

Huangdi asked Qibo: "I have heard that in needling there are five prohibitions — what is meant by the five prohibitions?" Qibo said: "These are prohibitions against needling when it must not be done." Huangdi said: "I have heard that in needling there are five depletions." Qibo said: "One must not drain that which cannot afford to be taken from." Huangdi said: "I have heard that in needling there are five excesses." Qibo said: "In supplementing and draining, one must not exceed the proper degree." Huangdi said: "I have heard that in needling there are five contrary signs." Qibo said: "When the disease and the pulse are at odds with one another, this is called the five contrary signs." Huangdi said: "I have heard that in needling there are nine appropriatenesses." Qibo said: "To have a clear understanding of the theory of the nine needles — this is called the nine appropriatenesses."

Huangdi said: "What are the five prohibitions? I wish to hear the times when needling must not be performed." Qibo said: "On jia and yi days — when wood qi compounds upon itself — one must not needle to drain excess, nor use the Fameng ('Rousing from Befuddlement') technique within the ear. On bing and ding days — when fire qi compounds upon itself — one must not use the Zhen'ai ('Shaking Off Dust') technique at the shoulder, throat, or Lianquan (CV-23). On wu and ji days — when earth qi compounds upon itself, governing the four intervening seasons — one must not needle the abdomen, nor pare the nails to drain water excess. On geng and xin days — when metal qi compounds upon itself — one must not needle the joints of the thigh and knee. On ren and gui days — when water qi compounds upon itself — one must not needle the foot and shin. These are called the five prohibitions."

Huangdi said: "What is meant by the five depletions?" Qibo said: "When the body and flesh are already depleted, this is the first depletion. After a great loss of blood, this is the second depletion. After profuse sweating, this is the third depletion. After severe diarrhea, this is the fourth depletion. After recent childbirth, or after a great loss of blood, this is the fifth depletion. In none of these cases may one drain."

Huangdi said: "What is meant by the five contrary signs?" Qibo said: "In heat disease, when the pulse is calm after sweating has occurred, but then becomes full and agitated — this is the first contrary sign. In diarrheal disease, when the pulse is surging and large — this is the second contrary sign. In fixed impediment where the affliction does not shift and the muscular flesh breaks down, with fever and a pulse that is interrupted on one side — this is the third contrary sign. In excessive wasting of the body with fever, when the complexion turns a lifeless white, and afterward blood appears in the stool or as nosebleed, with the bleeding severe and unrelenting — this is called the fourth contrary sign. In cold-heat disease with wasting of the body and a pulse that is hard and forcefully beating — this is called the fifth contrary sign."