The theoretical connotation and operation of

Miu Ci

and

Ju Ci

remain highly controversial at present.Traditional viewpoints mostly hold that

Miu Ci

targets collaterals

while

Ju Ci

works on meridians. Based on the analysis of the original texts and textual exegesis from

Huangdi Neijing

(

The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic

)

it is believed that both

Miu Ci

and

Ju Ci

are the techniques to puncture acupoints on the contralateral side of the body

and these two techniques were formed during the medical practice of blood-letting at early stage of stone acupuncture and developed under the theoretical framework of

qi

regulation of filiform needle. At the time when

Suwen

·

Miuci Lun

(Chapter 63 of

Huangdi Neijing

)was completed

"

Miu Ci

needling collaterals" and "

Ju Ci

needling meridians" were factitiously distinguished. Analyzing the essence of

Miu Ci

and

Ju Ci

is conducive to restoring their true representations in

Huangdi Neijing

thereby liberating them from the constraints of traditional thinking and promoting their significant value of clinical application.