ST30 (Qichong, “Qi Thoroughfare”) is the Meeting point of the Stomach and Chong channels point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the lower abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the superior border of the pubic symphysis, in the inguinal region, medial to the femoral artery. It regulates Qi in the Lower Jiao, warms the Lower Jiao, regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and subdues rebellious Qi.
On the lower abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the superior border of the pubic symphysis, in the inguinal region, medial to the femoral artery.
Perpendicular or oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Avoid the femoral artery, which is typically just lateral to the point. Oblique inferomedial insertion is also used for hernia.
Regulates Qi in the Lower Jiao, warms the Lower Jiao, regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and subdues rebellious Qi.
Accumulation in the lower abdomen, cold in the lower Jiao, hernia, genital pain and swelling, impotence, infertility, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, difficult urination, abdominal fullness, rebellious Qi rising to the chest, pain in the lower back and spine, pain and coldness in the knees and shins, testicular pain, abdominal pain, impotence with itching, difficult labor, retained placenta, postpartum abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, kidney-related foot qi with swelling and heat.
Qichong is a crucial point for treating disorders of the Lower Jiao and the genitourinary system, reflecting its name as a 'Qi Thoroughfare' and its connection to the Chong Mai. It is particularly effective for hernia, whether inguinal or abdominal, and for various gynecological issues like irregular menstruation and infertility by regulating Qi and blood in the uterus. Its ability to address rebellious Qi makes it useful for conditions where Qi surges upward from the lower abdomen, as described in the Jin Gui Yao Lue.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 腹自不容以下夾幽門兩旁各一寸五分自天樞至氣衝夾足少陰各一寸五分凡二十四穴第二十一 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
氣衝二穴，治七疝偏墜，下焦熱，奔豚逆氣攻心，小腹脹，石水，陰痿莖痛，兩丸冷，腹滿不得正臥，腰痛不得俯仰The text records that ST30 was used for the seven kinds of shan hernia with one-sided dragging down, heat in the lower jiao, running-piglet qi rushing up against the heart, lower-abdominal distension, stone-water swelling, impotence with pain in the penis, cold testicles, abdominal fullness preventing lying flat, and low-back pain preventing bending forward or back.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
氣沖，在歸來下，鼠鼷上一寸，動脈應手，足陽明脈氣所發，刺入三分，留七呼，灸三壯，灸之不幸，使人不得息According to this text, ST30 lies below Guilai, 1 cun above the groin, where a pulsating vessel is felt under the hand; it is needled 0.3 cun, retained for 7 breaths, with 3 moxa cones, and it warns that unfortunate moxibustion here can leave the person unable to breathe.
《奇經八脈考》 Qíjīng Bāmài Kǎo — Exposition of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, Li Shizhen, 1578 · 沖脈為病 · Source: Wikisource ↗
腹痛，刺臍左右動脈，按之立已，不已，刺氣街，按之立已The text records that for abdominal pain the pulsating vessels to the left and right of the navel were needled and pressed, and if the pain did not stop, Qijie (ST30) was needled and pressed, the text saying the pain then ceased.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 内集·卷一·脏腑 · 脏腑条分 · Source: Wikisource ↗
气冲在小腹毛中，去中行各二寸，乃阴阳道路，阳明脉之所发According to this text, ST30 lies in the pubic hair region of the lower abdomen, 2 cun on each side of the midline; it is described as a pathway of yin and yang and a place where the yangming vessel issues.
ST30 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST30 (Qichong) is located on the lower abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the superior border of the pubic symphysis, in the inguinal region, medial to the femoral artery.
ST30 regulates Qi in the Lower Jiao, warms the Lower Jiao, regulates the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), and subdues rebellious Qi. Common clinical indications include accumulation in the lower abdomen, cold in the lower Jiao, hernia, genital pain and swelling, impotence, infertility, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, difficult urination, abdominal fullness, rebellious Qi rising to the chest, pain in the lower back and spine, pain and coldness in the knees and shins, testicular pain, abdominal pain, impotence with itching, difficult labor, retained placenta, postpartum abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, kidney-related foot qi with swelling and heat.
Perpendicular or oblique insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Avoid the femoral artery, which is typically just lateral to the point. Oblique inferomedial insertion is also used for hernia. Caution: The femoral artery and vein are located just lateral to this point, and the spermatic cord in males is also in this vicinity. Deep or lateral needling should be performed with caution.
ST30 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).