Location
In the 2nd intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.
Cautions
Risk of pneumothorax; avoid deep needling.
Indications
Conditions for which ST15 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Breast AbscessBreast AbscessArthritis SternoclavicularArthritis SternoclavicularBenefit BreastsBenefit BreastsBenefit Descend Rebellion QiCoughCoughing BloodCoughing BloodCough PusCough PusDescend Rebellion QiChest BloatingChest BloatingCostal Lateral BloatingCostal Lateral BloatingBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsShortness of BreathHeavinessItchinessItchiness SkinItchiness SkinPainBreast PainBreast PainChest PainChest PainRib PainRib PainSkin PainSkin Pain SwellingUnbind ChestUnbind ChestLimbs WeaknessLimbs WeaknessWheezing
Protocols using ST15
- Lactation Deficiency, Postpartum Insufficient Milk Production – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016456 ↗)
- Breast Pain, Mastalgia Cyclic, Breast Pain Premenstrual, Mammary Gland Hyperplasia – LI04, ST15, ST18, SP06, SI11, BL17, BL18, LV03, CV17 (doi:10.1186/s12906-022-03779-8 ↗)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8 ↗)
- Breast Hyperplasia – LI04, ST15, ST18, ST36, SI11, GB21, LV03, CV17 (doi:10.16040/j.cnki.cn15-1101.2017.10.121 ↗)
- Chemotherapy Side Effects, Breast Cancer, Cancer-related Fatigue – LI04, LI11, ST15, ST36, SP06, SI11, BL02, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL23, PC06, TB17, GB21, GB34, LV03, CV04, CV12, CV17, GV01, GV14, GV20 (doi:10.16368/j.issn.1674-8999.2016.01.005 ↗)
- Liver Qi Stagnation, Liver Qi Stagnation – LI17, LI18, ST09, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST25, ST26, ST27, SP13, SP18, HT03, HT04, SI11, BL14, BL16, BL18, BL31, KD21, XB02T9 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
- Lung Qi Deficiency, Lung Qi Deficiency – LU01, LU02, LU09, LI20, ST14, ST15, ST36, SI11, BL13, BL42, XB02T6 (Yang Yong-Xuan, clinical point-selection notes)
- Breast Hyperplasia, Breast Nodule, Breast Nodules – ST15, SI11, BL18, GB21, CV17 (李秋妹郭帅良廖鹏腾戚芷琪颜智权霍志豪张保球龙翔宇. 基于中医传承辅助平台的针灸治疗乳腺增生症选穴组方规律. 世界中医药 ., 2020 [CNKI])
- Breast Pain, Hyperplasia Mammary Glands, Distending Pain Breast, Breast Masses – LI04, ST15, ST18, ST36, SP06, SI11, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, TB05, GB21, LV03 (Yu Guo-hua, Zou Lai-yong, Liu Jian-guo. Combination of Acupuncture with Medication for Treatment of Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands in 46 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, September 2010, Vol. 30, No. 3: 232-234)
- Fibromyalgia Pain Musculoskeletal Diffuse – LI11, ST14, ST15, ST36, HT07, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL35, BL54, KD03, PC06, GB20, GB21, GB30, LV08 (Bai Y, Guo Y, Wang H, Chen B, Wang Z, Liu Y, Zhao X, Li Y. Efficacy of acupuncture on fibromyalgia syndrome: a Meta-analysis. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2014; 34(4): 381-391.)