Location
On the chest directly below nipple, on the lower border of the breast, in the 5th intercostal space 4 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.
Cautions
Caution in lactating women; avoid direct needling in breast tissue.
Indications
Conditions for which ST18 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Breast AbscessBreast AbscessBenefit BreastsBenefit BreastsBenefit DigestionBenefit DigestionConstriction OesophagusConstriction OesophagusCoughCounterflow Inversion LimbsCounterflow Inversion LimbsCrampingTurmoil DisorderTurmoil DisorderShortness of BreathLabour DysfunctionLabour DysfunctionLactation DeficiencyLactation DeficiencyOppression Below ChestOppression Below ChestOppression DiaphragmOppression DiaphragmArm PainArm PainBelow Chest PainBelow Chest PainBreast PainBreast Pain SwellingUnbind ChestUnbind ChestWheezing
Protocols using ST18
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LI04, LI11, ST18, SI01, CV12, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST18, ST36, SP06, SI01, PC06, LV03, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LU01, LU02, ST13, ST14, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, CV12, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- Postpartum Insufficient Lactation – ST18, ST36, CV17 (王官丽代继红张代碧唐素华. 穴位艾灸促进产后泌乳的临床研究. 护理研究 ., 2017 [CNKI])
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, SI01, BL20, BL21, PC06, LV03, LV14, CV06, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST18, ST36, SI01, BL18, BL20, BL21, LV03, LV14, CV12, CV17, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – LI04, LI11, ST18, SI01, CV12, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)
- Hypogalactia, Breastfeeding Insufficiency, Lactation Postpartum – LU01, LU02, ST13, ST14, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, CV12, CV17 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02773-8)