ST 18 — Rǔ Gēn (乳根) — Root of the Breast
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1. Overview
ST 18 — Rǔ Gēn (乳根) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian. Its English name, Root of the Breast, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used in acupuncture practice as part of channel-balancing prescriptions for a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 18 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
On the chest, directly below the nipple, on the lower border of the breast in the fifth intercostal space, four cun lateral to the anterior midline (REN Channel). First find the second intercostal space, the find the fifth intercostal space, three spaces below it. In males, the nipple lies in the fourth intercostal space. On a woman, this point lies on the root of the breast, inferior to the breast tissue itself; in females, the nipple the nipple is unlikely to lie four cun lateral to the midline and should not be used as a reference point.
3. Actions
- Benefits the breasts
- Reduces swelling
- Diffuses Lung Qi
- Regulates Stomach Qi
- Expands and relaxes the chest
- Alleviates cough and wheezing
- Expedites and facilitates lactation
4. Indications
- Chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain
- Cough
- Asthma
- Mastitis
- Insufficient lactation
- Dyspnea
- Oppression of the diaphragm
- Sudden turmoil disorder with cramps
- Swelling and pain of the arm
5. Needling
Oblique insertion 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
ST 18 Rǔ Gēn (Root of the Breast) is used as part of channel-balancing prescriptions tailored to the patient’s individual TCM diagnosis.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use ST 18 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Cough, Asthma. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
