Stomach Meridian
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ST-13
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
About 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, below the midpoint of the clavicle.
Main Actions
- Descends Rebellious Qi
- Opens the chest
Indications
Asthma
Coughing
Dyspnoea
Wheezing
Hiccuping
Chest pain
Stiff neck
Loss of taste
Chest fullness
Upper back pain
Chest distension
Vomiting of blood
Lateral costal region fullness
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 Jiayi Jing (针灸甲乙经) — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:
The earliest comprehensive text to systematically document ST-13, describing its location below the clavicle and its indications for chest and respiratory conditions.
Zhenjiu Dacheng (针灸大成) — Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion:
Documents Qihu's use for fullness in the chest, cough, asthma, hiccup, and pain in the chest and hypochondrium, establishing its role in treating Lung Qi rebellion.
Ling Shu (灵枢) — Spiritual Pivot:
References the Stomach channel pathway passing through the chest region where Qihu is located, establishing the point's connection to both Lung and Stomach Qi regulation.
How to Locate
From the anterior midline, palpate 4 cun along the clavicle to the midpoint. Qihu ST-13 is located at the lower border of the clavicle, while Quepen ST-12 is on the other side of clavicle.
Caution
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: This point lies directly over the lung apex and near the subclavian vessels. Deep or perpendicular needling carries substantial risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung) or damage to subclavian blood vessels. Always use oblique or transverse insertion directed laterally or medially along the clavicle. Maximum safe depth is approximately 0.5 cun with oblique technique. Avoid this point in thin patients where chest wall tissue may be especially shallow. Never needle perpendicularly. If patient experiences sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing during or after needling, monitor for pneumothorax.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
0.3–0.5 cun obliquely in a lateral or medial direction or transversely along the channel pathway. Caution: Pneumothorax, subclavicular artery/vein.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness around the clavicle area. Sensation may spread across the upper chest or toward the shoulder. Due to shallow needling requirements, deqi is typically mild and localized.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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