Yin

needling is one of the "twelve needling methods" documented in the

Lingshu: Guanzhen

(

Miraculous Pivot: Application of Needle

). This study synthesizes the textual evidences in

Lingshu

(

Miraculous Pivot

)

Suwen

(

Plain Questions

)

Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing

(

The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

)

and

Huangdi Neijing Taisu

(

Grand Simplicity of

'

The Yellow Emperor

'

s Inner Classic

')

alongside the annotations and critical analyses by historical medical scholars

and proposes a novel interpretation of the conceptual framework and clinical application of "

yin

needling". ① The term “率” (shuai) in the classical description

“阴刺者，左右率刺之”

is likely a scribal error for "卒" (zu). ② The character “卒” in “卒刺” should be interpreted as “焠” (cui)

thereby “卒刺” should be redefined as “焠刺” (cui ci)

a fire needling technique. ③ "

Yin

needling" refers to the simultaneous and bilateral stimulation of acupoints using fire needling to treat the diseases induced by

yin

and cold pathogens.