| DeQi (obtain Qi) and the needle retaining are premise for the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. But what Qi is obtained and how long the needle retaining should be has rarely been studied, leading to the clinical ignorance of the needle retaining time. Starting from literature review, this paper has in-depth discussions on the above two questions, aims to use the theories of《Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine》to explain the origin of DeQi and the basis of the needle retaining, and builds preliminary models for the needle retaining in four seasons in order to provide certain guidance over clinical acupuncture.This chapter starts analysis from the basic functions of Defending Qi as well as its relationship with Nourishing Qi, clearly points out that the Qi obtained in acupuncture treatment is Defending Qi, and then studies the relationship between the running of Defending Qi and the needle retaining time. Discussion is carried out from the perspective of seasonable variation of Defending Qi running speed and conclusion is reached that the needle retaining time should vary in the four seasons. Finally, preliminary models for the needle retaining in four seasons are built to play a part in the improvement of clinical efficacy. The paper is divided into three parts, including the conclusion:The first part analyzes the concepts of Defending Qi, Nourishing Qi and DeQi. Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi are a pair of important concepts in the Chinese medicine, and either cannot be explained separately from the other. Therefore, this paper discusses the two concepts together on their meaning, generation, nature, functions and other aspects, and then further clarifies the Yin-Yang relationship they have. As for the concept of DeQi, the paper analyzes the concept by referring to《Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine》and the definitions of later generations of Chinese medicine physicians, summarizes the progress of DeQi, and concludes that DeQi occurs twice in the process of acupuncture. DeQi occurs for the first time as Defending Qi response in acupoints when the needle is newly applied to spread the stimulation to JingQi. Then this JingQi can adjust the Yin and Yang of Defending Qi and Nourishing Qi by reinforcing and reducing as well as other acupuncture measures to achieve balance between the two and maintain the state where "Yin is even and well while Yang is firm". Thus the JingQi whose Yinyang has been adjusted can reach the disease focus or the point beneath the needle, and this is the second DeQi. As for the second DeQi, from the relationship between JingQi and Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi, it can be told that JingQi has two types—Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi, in which Defending Qi plays a dominant role. On this basis, conclusion is reached that DeQi in acupuncture treatment refers to Defending Qi.The second part discusses the basis for the needle retaining time and the running rules of Defending Qi, conducts analysis by referring to《Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine》and later generations of Chinese medicine physicians'understanding of the needle retaining and relationship between DeQi and the needle retaining, seeks the basis for the choice of the needle retaining time, and thus concludes that the needle retaining time shall be based on the running rules of Defending Qi. That's because the functional vitality of Defending Qi is cyclical, each cycle at least has one primp peak of Defending Qi when the sensitivity is increased and functions are strong. If proper guidance is conducted at the right time, JingQi can be effectively led to the disease focus and good efficacy can be achieved. Then this part explores the running rules of Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi, makes clear their running forms and interrelation, and discusses the mechanism giving rise to the rhythm change of night and day featured by "diurnal 25 weeks, night 25 weeks" of running of Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi. After all these, it is further proved that Defending Qi plays a dominant role in the running of Nourishing Qi and Defending Qi, and the significance of Defending Qi in acupuncture treatment included in《Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine》is also demonstrated. This provides a theoretical basis for the study of seasonal variatiom of Defending Qi running.The third part discusses the different needle retaining time in different seasons, and according to the Defending Qi theory in Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, the change in running speed of Defending Qi in different seasons is worked out by the running rules of Defending Qi during day and night and the relationship between twenty-eight constellations and drip-vessel timing method, which is: Defending Qi shows different running speeds with different lengths of day and night in the four seasons. To be more specific, "Daytime around at Yang twenty-five times", and Defending Qi runs faster in winter than in summer; "night around at Yin twenty-five times", and Defending Qi runs faster in summer than in winter. In addition, higher latitudes have greater differences in running speeds of Defending Qi in different seasons. Based on the theory of seasonal variation of running speed of Defending Qi, the paper explores the variability of the needle retaining amount of DeQi, and proposes that the needle retaining time during day in the four seasons should be as follows. Take Beijing as an example. If one day is 100 quarters, on summer solstice, it shall be 2.5 quarters or about 36 min; on winter solstice, it shall be 1.56 quarters or about 23 min; and on the Spring Equinox or Autumn Equinox, it shall be 2 quarters or about 29 min. In each season, the time Defending Qi takes to run one round is the needle retaining time in that season. In acupuncture treatment, the rules of Defending Qi running speed variations and the fact that the needle retaining time varies according to the running speed of Defending Qi in different seasons shall be kept in mind. In addition, appropriate measures shall be taken to achieve better efficacy, which is of essential significance for acupuncture clinics.The conclusion part summarizes the conclusions and innovative points of this paper, and explores future research directions.
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