Abstract： Objective： To observe the curative effect of external application with Shugan Huoxue Zhitong powder combined with routine therapy for nonspecific costochondritis. Methods：A total of 90 cases of patients with blood stasis due to qi stagnation syndrome were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group，45 cases in each group. Both groups were given oral administration of ibuprofen sustained- release capsules and compound vitamin B tablets，and routine nursing measures；at the same time，the observation group was additionally given external application with Shugan Huoxue Zhitong powder on the affected part. Both groups were treated for four weeks. Before and after treatment， the degree of chest pain was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)，quality of life by 12-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-12)，and sleep quality by Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS). The clinical effect and nursing satisfaction in the two groups were compared.Results：After treatment，the clinical effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05). The scores of eight dimensions in SF- 12 in the two groups were increased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01)，and the scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01). The AIS scores in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01)，and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.01). After treatment for 7，14，21 and 28 days，the VAS scores in the two groups were decreased when compared with those in the previous time point respectively(P＜0.01)，and the scores at four time points in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0.01). The nursing satisfaction in the observation group was higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05). Conclusion：Based on routine western medicine and nursing，the additional treatment of external application with Shugan Huoxue Zhitong powder for nonspecific costochondritis has good antalgic effect，and can alleviate the effect of pain on sleep and improve quality of life.