The "Abode of Qi" on the neck. Qishe (ST-11) sits at the root of the throat and acts as a doorway where Qi moves in and out — it opens the throat, descends rebellious Qi, and relieves goitre and neck tension in a way few other points can.
Name & story
The name 气舍 Qishe means "Dwelling" or "Abode of Qi" — a shelter where Qi resides. Picture the throat as a narrow gate through which every breath and every mouthful of food must pass. This point sits right at that gateway, at the very root of the neck, and its name suggests that when Qi gets stuck or rebels here, Qishe is the place to open the door and let it settle back into its proper home. There is something quietly poetic about the idea: a resting place for Qi on a channel that is always in motion, always descending.
Point family & character
Qishe (ST-11) belongs to the Stomach Meridian (ST). It lies in the neck region of the channel, close to the throat — a part of the Stomach Meridian that travels upward through the neck before the channel's Qi descends into the body.
Five-element dynamics
The Stomach belongs to the Earth element, and its Qi is meant to descend — to receive food and send it downward. When that descending movement is disturbed, Qi rebels upward, and the throat and neck bear the consequences: coughing, choking, stiffness, swelling. Qishe, sitting right at the root of the throat where the Stomach channel rises, helps restore that downward flow. In Earth terms, it is like loosening a blockage in a channel so the water — or in this case, the Qi and food essence — can flow smoothly down through the middle.
Location
Find the top edge of the collarbone (clavicle). ST-11 sits just above it, in the angle between the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle — the sternal head (running to the breastbone) and the clavicular head (running to the collarbone). It is directly below ST-10 and above ST-12.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the neck, between the sternal head and the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, above the clavicle.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly or slightly obliquely. Care is taken to avoid the underlying vessels of the neck.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle acupressure or light massage along the course of the Stomach Meridian (ST) in the neck can complement needling. Warmth is generally avoided in acute throat or neck conditions involving Heat.
Functions
Descends rebellious Qi and benefits the throat. Softens hardness and disperses nodules and goitre in the neck. Relieves coughing and wheezing by directing Lung Qi downward. Relaxes stiffness and tension in the neck.
Indications
Goitre and swelling or lumps in the neck. Throat pain, difficulty swallowing, a sensation of obstruction in the throat. Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath where Qi rebels upward. Stiffness, pain or tension in the neck.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
When Qi cannot descend and is trapped in the throat, there is often an emotional dimension — a tightness in the chest, words that cannot be spoken, anxiety that rises and catches in the breath. The throat in Chinese medicine is closely linked to the voice and to expression. Qishe's action of opening the throat and settling rebellious Qi can have a quietly calming effect, easing the physical sensation of Qi rising that so often accompanies emotional tension.
Point combinations
With ST-9 (Renying) and ST-10 (Shuitu) — for goitre and swelling of the neck, working along the Stomach Meridian (ST) in the throat region. With LU-7 (Lieque) — to descend Qi and relieve cough and wheezing. With Ren-22 (Tiantu) — for throat obstruction and difficulty swallowing.
Clinical spotlight
Qishe (ST-11) is one of the classical points for goitre and neck masses — conditions the old texts grouped under the term "ying", meaning swellings in the throat region. Its position directly over the thyroid area and its action of softening hardness and dispersing nodules make it a natural choice when the neck itself is the site of the problem. It is rarely used in isolation, but as part of a local group with ST-9 and ST-10 it forms a powerful trio for throat and neck disorders.
The golden tip
If you carry tension in the throat or neck, gentle self-massage along the sides of the neck — following the line of the Stomach Meridian (ST) downward — can help Qi descend and ease tightness. Avoid firm pressure directly over the large vessels of the neck. Slow, relaxed breathing that encourages the breath to settle deep into the belly is a natural complement to this point's action.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.