Quepen Point (ST-12 / Empty Basin)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Quepen (ST-12 / Empty Basin). Learn its benefits for cough, chest and back pain, wheezing, and loss of taste, plus classic combinations for comprehensive chest and lung treatment.
Indications
Regulates qi, activates blood circulation, and relieves pain. Treats cough with qi counterflow, chest and back pain, cough with inability to breathe, loss of taste, fullness and distension of the chest and hypochondrium, and rapid wheezing. This point belongs to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It regulates qi and activates blood, disperses lung qi and stops cough, unblocks collaterals and relieves pain. It is a commonly used point for treating chest and lung disorders. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Que" means empty or hollow; "Pen" means basin. Located in the hollow of the supraclavicular fossa, shaped like a basin – hence the name Quepen (Empty Basin).
Precise Location
In the lateral cervical region, in the large supraclavicular fossa, in the hollow on the upper border of the clavicle, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine. The point is in the hollow above the midpoint of the upper border of the clavicle, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Massage Method
Massage: Press and knead with the thumb or middle finger. Press and knead Quepen with the thumb or middle finger about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, once daily, to prevent and treat pulmonary disorders. Therapeutic actions: Regulates qi and activates blood, disperses lung qi and stops cough, unblocks collaterals and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Chest pain: Combine with Kufang (ST-14) and Yingchuang (ST-16). Cough: Combine with Tanzhong (RN-17) and Juque (RN-14) to disperse lung qi and stop cough.
