Ling Shu is made of eighty one chapters. Introducing many TCM theories and anatomical descriptions of the channels, organs and acupuncture points, it describes the technical aspect of acupuncture treatment: “Zhen Fa” 针法, which kind of needle to use and when, “Shou Fa” 手法 how to manipulate the needle, “Xue Fa” 穴法 the actions of the points, “Ci Fa” 刺法 the strategy of treatment and “Xin Fa” 心法 or “Shen Fa”神法 the way of the “Heart”, the way of the Spirit .
This is a major reference book for acupuncture treatment. Many doctors in later dynasties relied on it and went on describing in more details “Zhen Fa”, “Shou
Fa” “Xue Fa” and “Ci Fa”. Only “Xin Fa” is very special to the Lin Shu of Huang Di Nejing. It is not often quoted nowadays. This is why we wanted to translate extracts talking about “Xin Fa” which were accessible to us, and not too obscure for readers particularly interested in it. The translation is very literal on purpose. We have added comments in italic when necessary for the comprehension of the text.
From Dr. Li Xin, Dr.Claudine Merer TCM : BACK TO THE SOURCES FOR A MODERN APPROACH , Please see More about Ling Shu at P313