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Wang Zhi-zhong, styled Shuquan, was a native of Dongjia, Zhejiang (present-day Ruian City) during the reigns of Emperor Gaozong to Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song Dynasty. He became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the fifth year of the Qiandao era (1169 AD) and held official positions such as Congzheng Lang and Jiangzuo Cheng, as well as serving as a professor in Lizhou (present-day Changde, Hunan) and Xiazhou (present-day Yichang, Hubei). A Confucian scholar well-versed in medicine, he extensively read various books, collated pre-Song acupuncture and moxibustion literature, filled in gaps, corrected errors, and combined his long-term clinical experience to author the seven-volume "Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing," one volume of "Jixiao Fang," and "Dushu Houzhi" (the latter two books are now lost).

In his middle age, Wang suffered from many illnesses and, in addition to his scholarly pursuits, he also studied medicine. He treated his own ailments and was open to learning effective folk remedies, recording even simple methods and herbal treatments if they proved effective. He accumulated a wealth of experience by embracing a wide range of practices. In treating diseases, he advocated for the balanced use of acupuncture and medication, emphasizing that "a doctor who only uses acupuncture without moxibustion, or only moxibustion without acupuncture, is not a good doctor. Similarly, a doctor who only uses acupuncture and moxibustion without medication, or only medication without acupuncture and moxibustion, is also not a good doctor." Therefore, referencing works such as "Jiayi Jing," "Qianjin Fang," "Waitai Miyao," "Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing," and "Mingtang Jing," he compiled the "Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing," which also added many effective acupoints.

The method of measuring "body cun" for acupuncture and moxibustion points had varied interpretations since ancient times. Wang was the first to establish a definitive method, stating: "The 'Xia Jing' says: Qibo used eight fen as one cun, but because people vary in height and build, this method was inaccurate. Bian Que used the first section of the middle finger as one cun, but due to differences in body and hand lengths, this method was also inaccurate. Sun Zhenren used the width of the thumb's first joint as one cun, but this too had discrepancies. Now, we take the distance between the two transverse lines of the second section of the middle finger (Neiting, ST44) on the left hand for men and the right hand for women as one cun. If the finger is bent, the distance between the upper and lower lines of the side of the middle joint is taken as one cun, known as body cun." This method has remained unchanged for eight hundred years and has become the standard for acupuncturists.

Another key aspect of this book is its detailed discussion of moxibustion techniques. Wang synthesized methods from "Wen Ren Qi Nian Beiji Jiufa," the "Nose Moxibustion Classic" by Xifangzi, and "Huangshu Moxibustion" by Zhuang Jiyu, absorbing the strengths of various schools to create a comprehensive collection of pre-Song moxibustion practices, which later works like "Juying" and "Dacheng" referenced. This book was transmitted to Japan and Korea during the Yuan and Ming dynasties and was included in the "Siku Quanshu" during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, highlighting its academic value.