ST-14

Kufang ST-14

Storeroom · 库房 · Kùfáng

Stomach Meridian

Safety Warnings

Dangerous point - requires extra caution
Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only

Needle Depth

0.3–0.5 cun

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)

Body Area

Chest

Location

In the 1st intercostal space, on the mammillary line, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Previous on channel

Qihu ST-13

Next on channel

Wuyi ST-15

Main Actions

Descends the Rebellious Qi
Opens the chest

Indications

Coughing Dyspnoea Chest fullness Chest distension Lateral costal region fullness Coughing with blood-streaked sputum

Commentary

Qihu ST-13 is not a major point of the Stomach Channel.

Its main function is to descend Rebellious Qi and open the chest, characterized by distention and fullness in the chest or lateral costal region.

Classical Sources

Zhenjiu Jiayijing (针灸甲乙经 - Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Kufang is located in the first intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the midline."

Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成 - Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists Kufang among the Stomach channel chest points, indicating its use for chest fullness and cough.

Point Name Meaning: "Ku" (库) means storehouse or treasury, "Fang" (房) means room or chamber. The name refers to the point's location over the upper chest, viewed as a storeroom for vital Qi and breath, reflecting its function in regulating respiratory Qi.

How to Locate

First identify the mammillary line by drawing an imaginary line between the clavicular midpoint and nipple. This line is 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline. Palpate along this line from the top and locate Kufang ST-14 in the first intercostal space.

Caution

Risk of pneumothorax with deep or perpendicular needling. Always needle obliquely or transversely along the intercostal space, never perpendicular or deeply. The pleura and lung tissue lie directly beneath this point. Practitioners should have thorough knowledge of chest anatomy before needling this area.

Needle Angle

45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)

Depth Category

Shallow

Standard Depth

0.3–0.5 cun

Needling Directions

0.5–0.8 cun obliquely or transversely, parallel to the course of the intercostal space or with or against the channel pathway. Caution: Pneumothorax.

Expected Deqi Sensation

Localized distension and soreness in the intercostal space, possibly radiating along the intercostal area. Sensation may extend toward the sternum or laterally along the rib.