The Nei Jing is Divided Into Two Parts

The Nei Jing is divided into two parts: the first part, Su Wen - 'Essential Questions' - is more theoretical.

The second part, Ling Shu - 'Spiritual Pivot' - is more practical. It remains even today die foundation work for the theory and philosophy behind Chinese medicine.

Set in a conversation form between Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, and his minister Qi Bo and others, the Nei Jing outlines the principles of natural law and the movements of life - Yin/Yang.

Wu Xing (the Five Phases); the interrelationship between Heaven, Earth and Man; Zang-Fu (the Organ system); Jing-Luo (the meridian network); Qi and Blood; and the causes of disease, their effects, diagnosis and treatment.

It gives the basis of the Eight Principles and the later differentiation of syndromes, describes the nine kinds of needle and their use, and emphasizes preventive treatment.

It is a rich source book that is still used by acupuncturists today, 2000 years after it was written, in combination with the many later texts that exist as commentaries and amplifications of it.