Rotate, insert the needle!
Lu Jiu skillfully applied the Mountain Burning Fire Needle Technique.
The acupuncture technique, to put it simply, is a way to introduce Qi, using rotation and insertion to mobilize the patient's Qi, directing it to an acupoint for treatment.
But different techniques bring different sensations.
The Mountain Burning Fire is a Supplement Technique, giving the patient a warm sensation, while the corresponding Piercing Cold is the Defecation Technique, giving the patient a cool sensation.
Lu Jiu hasn't mastered Piercing Cold yet. Once he learns this acupuncture technique, apart from complex conditions, he should be able to handle most ailments without much issue.
Of course, the basics of acupuncture and acupoint-based therapy still need to be reinforced.
"Hey? Doctor, my foot seems to be getting warm," Wu Zengshuang suddenly said.
Just now, Lu Jiu was needling around his lower abdomen. It wasn't painful, just a bit sore and tingly. But as he continued, Wu Zengshuang noticed a sudden warm sensation on his soles.
At first, Wu Zengshuang didn't care much, but as the warmth slowly turned hotter, it became hard to ignore the changes.
"Do you feel like heat is rising from your feet?" Lu Jiu asked, his hands never stopping.
"Hmm~~ seems like there is a bit," Wu Zengshuang responded.
It seems to be working!
Lu Jiu immediately stopped his hand movements, waiting for the Qi inside Wu Zengshuang to gather at the Guan Yuan Acupoint.
The finest needle placed in Wu Zengshuang's Guan Yuan acupoint had already started to tremble slightly.
As time went by, Wu Zengshuang quickly found a warm current moving up his leg, from the soles to the calves, rapidly reaching the thighs, and then to the lower abdomen.
"Doctor, my stomach is getting warm!!" Wu Zengshuang exclaimed.
Phbt~~
No sooner had Wu Zengshuang spoken than a loud noise came from beneath him, followed immediately by a foul smell.
This sudden fart made Wu Zengshuang flash an awkward smile.
Lu Jiu, with an expressionless face, spoke while withdrawing the needle and moving to the head of the bed, "Don't worry about it, it's normal. When the Spleen and Stomach are too cold, the small intestine's fire diminishes, reducing movement. Part of the stagnant Qi gets trapped inside, and now that the small intestine is warming up, with increased motility, that stuck Qi can naturally be expelled."
"Make sure to go when you feel the urge after you get home. And remember, when you wake up in the morning, the first thing you should do is drink a glass of warm water. Once your Spleen and Stomach improves, switch to cool water—remember, it's been boiled and then cooled. Avoid drinking bottled water as much as possible. After drinking water, head to the bathroom. Even though it's past the Large Intestine Meridian time at seven o'clock, using the toilet now still helps clear residual stools."
After speaking, Lu Jiu turned his head and took a deep breath of the fresh air from the window, then quickly turned back to maintain a serious physician's demeanor.
Wu Zengshuang curiously asked, "Do I need to go every day?"
Lu Jiu nodded, "If time permits, it's best to go every day. Residual stools are like garbage to us—the longer it's there, the more harmful it becomes. The moment waste is formed, the large intestine has already absorbed the nutrients and water. Why keep it in the body? To attract flies?"
"Of course, going every two or three days is acceptable but should only happen occasionally. Even healthy people can encounter problems if they hold it in for three days. Since your Spleen and Stomach are already weak, you need to be more cautious."
"Also, when it comes to cold drinks, refrain from having them even when your Spleen and Stomach improves. If you can't resist, at least wait until winter. This month's unsuitable for them."
It's late October, autumn.
"Huh? Winter? I must've misheard, doctor." Wu Zengshuang was dumbfounded.
Isn't this something to have in the summer? Who would eat ice cream in the cold winter?
"You heard right, it's for winter. Have you heard the phrase in the Analects: 'Live at ease and rest, never tire of fine food or detail, eat when proper'? Essentially, it means not eating out-of-season foods."
"Although summer is hot, it manifests as external heat and internal cold in the body—our surface is warm but the Spleen and Stomach remain cold. Eating cold treats then exacerbates the cold in the Spleen and Stomach. In winter, even though it's cold, our Spleen and Stomach are warmer, so eating cold things is somewhat easier to digest. But, winter allows for it; it's not suggested to indulge continuously. Cold foods in any season aren't good for the Spleen and Stomach."
"Besides cold drinks, try not to consume off-season vegetables or fruits. They're not good for our Spleen and Stomach. However, if you're really fond of them, I won't stop you. For some people, eating an apple now and then impacts their mood, so that matters more. Emotional health trumps the minor harm of eating off-season foods," Lu Jiu said.
Got it!
Wu Zengshuang hadn't expected there to be a theoretical basis for eating ice cream in winter.
"Doctor, honestly, I get in a bad mood if I don't eat ice cream."
Lu Jiu straightened his face, "Is it really a bad mood? It's just insatiable greed, satisfying your cravings!"
Wu Zengshuang mischievously grinned, "Hey hey, just joking, just joking."
"You're quite knowledgeable, doctor, even knowing the Analects—impressive!"
Lu Jiu laughed, "Just read it, not truly understanding it."
Wu Zengshuang admired, "Remembering what you read is impressive. If I had such memory while studying, Qingbei wouldn't be a challenge. Instead, I end up gaming for a living now."
Lu Jiu patted his shoulder, indicating he could get up and adjust his clothes, "Do you enjoy gaming?"
Wu Zengshuang got up saying, "Yeah, I used to ditch school in elementary to play at internet cafes, caught by my dad over ten times, even breaking hangers, but I kept going. Determined, right?"
Lu Jiu couldn't help laughing, "Exactly, as long as it doesn't harm society, living your way is the biggest success."
Wu Zengshuang laughed, "Exactly, well put. Playing games for life wouldn't be too bad."
Lu Jiu nodded, "But still, take care of your body. You wouldn't want to reach seventy, eighty and not even be able to click a mouse, right?"
Wu Zengshuang laughed, "Ah, by then mice will be obsolete—VR would have evolved countless times. Just wear it on your head and think."
Lu Jiu said, "Still, be cautious. What if you end up with dementia?"
Wu Zengshuang chuckled with a wry smile, "I'll be careful, definitely careful. Wish me well, okay?"
Lu Jiu laughed, "Just joking, today's session is done. After taking the medicine, come back for a follow-up tomorrow."
Wu Zengshuang chuckled, "Alright, thanks, Dr. Lu. How much?"
"Consultation is fifty, the prescription is seven yuan and one cent, acupuncture is thirty. Total: eighty-seven yuan and one cent," Lu Jiu said.
Ding!
"Paid. See you, Dr. Lu," Wu Zengshuang waved.
"Take care," Lu Jiu smiled.
[Patient Wu Zengshuang, Spleen and Stomach Cold Recovery Progress: 1%, Residual Food Recovery Progress: 45%, Symptom Recovery Progress exceeding 10%, activate normal rewards, would you like to claim?]
Acupuncture works quickly indeed.
Lu Jiu grinned, but suddenly got hit hard on the back of his head.
Slap!
"You rascal said you hadn't learned the Mountain Burning Fire!"