Stomach Meridian
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ST-12
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
Needle Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Neck — Anterior, Shoulder
Location
About 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, in the supraclavicular fossa, superior to the midpoint of the clavicle.
Main Actions
- Subdues Rebellious Qi
- Removes Obstructions from the Channel
- Calms the Mind
Indications
Asthma
Coughing
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Arm stiffness
Chest fullness
Upper limbs pain
Shortness of breath
Supraclavicular fossa pain
Commentary
Quepen ST-12 is an important point. It is the meeting point of Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Triple Burner and Gall Bladder Channels, thus it has a powerful effect on all above Yang Channels.
Its main function is to subdue Rebellious Qi such as Stomach and Lung Qi. Typical symptoms are breathlessness, asthma or coughing.
Furthermore, it removes Obstructions from the Channel so as to ease pain or stiffness from the region around neck, shoulder, upper limbs and supraclavicular fossa.
Finally, some practitioners claim that it also calms the Mind by descending Excess Qi downwards. Manifestations include anxiety, nervousness and insomnia.
Classical Sources
Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Documents ST-12 as a major meeting point where five Yang channels converge, emphasizing its role in treating disorders of multiple meridians simultaneously.
Lei Jing Tu Yi (Illustrated Supplement to the Classic of Categories): States that this point is contraindicated in pregnancy, warning against needling during gestation.
Ling Shu: References the supraclavicular fossa region as a key area where the Stomach channel enters after descending from the face, establishing its importance for channel disorders affecting the throat and chest.
How to Locate
From the anterior midline, palpate 4 cun along the clavicle to the midpoint. Quepen ST-12 is located at the upper border of the clavicle in the supraclavicular fossa, lateral to the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
Caution
This is a dangerous point requiring extreme caution. Deep or posterior insertion may puncture the lung (causing pneumothorax) or damage the subclavian vessels. Always needle perpendicular or slightly oblique along the posterior border of the clavicle, staying shallow (0.3-0.5 cun). Avoid the transverse cervical artery which runs in this region. The brachial plexus lies in the deeper layers. Classical texts contraindicate this point during pregnancy. Never attempt deep needling.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
0.3–0.5 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.3–0.5 cun. The needle should be guided along the posterior border of the clavicle. Caution: Pneumothorax, especially with emphysema; superficial and deep cervical arteries. According to some authors, this point is contraindicated during pregnancy
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness in the supraclavicular fossa. Sensation may radiate to the shoulder, neck, or down the arm. Due to the shallow needling depth required, deqi should be gentle. Avoid seeking strong sensations at this point due to proximity to vital structures.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–10 minutes
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Contraindicated
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
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