Hua Tuo created "Five Birds Play" on the basis of "Two Birds Play" in Zhuangzi. Its name and function are recorded in Biography of Fang Shu and Biography of Hua Tuo in the later Han Dynasty: "I have a skill, which is called the play of tiger, deer, bear, ape and bird. It is also a guide to eliminate diseases and benefit hoofs and feet. If you are unhappy, play the role of a bird and sweat happily. Because you are covered in powder and light, you want to eat. In general, he is over 90 years old, with bright eyes and strong teeth. "

In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing recorded in detail in the Record of Cultivating Nature and Prolonging Life: "Tiger players, four limbs off the ground, throw the first three times, but two times, lead the waist long, side feet to the sky, that is, return to the distance, but each pass seven times." Deer player, four limbs off the ground, back turn, left and right feet, three pairs of feet. Bear players hold their knees in their hands, look up, squat on the ground with their left and right hands, and hold the ground with their left and right hands. The ape player climbs things in the air, stretches his body, holds seven things up and down, suspends his feet, stands seven times left and right, and presses his head seven times. Bird player, hands raised, feet raised, arms extended, eyebrows raised, strength improved, feet extended, arms kept at a distance of seven degrees, arms extended and retracted seven degrees. Husband's five-animal play method, let it go, do it at will, take sweat as the measure, sweat as the clothing and powder, eliminate grain, benefit qi, eliminate all diseases, and prolong those who can survive. "In this book, Tao Hongjing not only described the specific operation steps of Wuqinxi, but also put forward the exercise principle of Wuqinxi-"Do what you can and sweat as much as possible ".

Regular practice of wuqinxi can promote gastrointestinal movement, reduce fat deposition, and even achieve the effects of beauty, tooth fixation and longevity by operating the five internal organs.