Kidney 24 (KI 24) Ling Xu — Spirit Ruins

This point, on the chest, unbinds the chest, descends rebellious qi and benefits the breast.

Kidney 24 (KI 24) Ling Xu 靈墟 — Spirit Ruins

Location

On the chest, in the third intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Anatomy

On pectoralis major; the third intercostal artery; the anterior cutaneous branch of the third intercostal nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Unbinds the chest and descends rebellious qi
  • Benefits the breast

Indications

Cough and asthma, fullness and pain of the chest, mastitis, and vomiting.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, oblique or transverse insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With REN-17 and ST-18 for chest and breast disorders.

Classical Text References

Used for disorders of the chest and breast.

Cautions & Contraindications

Deep perpendicular insertion risks pneumothorax; needle obliquely or transversely.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Traditional Chinese Medicine Improves Nutritional Status in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Traditional Chinese Medicine): Efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in improving nutritional status among Chinese maintenance hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis of - Frontiers in nutrition, 2026.