GB21 Jianjing (Shoulder Well) – acupuncture point

Location

On the shoulder directly above the nipple at the midpoint of the line connecting GV14 and acromion the at the highest point of the shoulder.

Cautions

Avoid deep needling – risk of pneumothorax. Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

Indications

Conditions for which GB21 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Breast AbscessAngina Microvascular Cardiac SyndromeAbnormal Uterine BleedingBoil / FuruncleBoil FuruncleCarbuncleCoughCounterflow Inversion Arm Following MiscarriageCounterflow Inversion Leg Following MiscarriageKidney Deficiency DepressionPsychological DisorderSteaming Bone DisorderShortness of Breath Goiter HemiplegiaUnable to Raise ArmStiff NeckImmobility Arm RaisingImmobility NeckInjury Body Acute ClimateInjury Heart GriefInjury Kidneys DampInjury Kidneys FatigueInjury Liver AngerInjury Lungs Cold Food DrinkInjury Lungs Cold Food / DrinkInjury Seven InjuriesInjury Spleen - Over FullnessInjury Spleen- Over-fullnessInjury Will Fear & IndulgenceLabour Expedite DeliveryLabour ProlongedLactation LossNodules Pain Arm Pain Back Pain Lower Back Pain Breast Pain Headache Neck Pain Shoulder PainSpleen PainPhlegmQi HeartQi LegRebellion QiFacial RednessRetention Placenta ScrofulaChannel StagnationWind Taxation SyndromeWind-taxation SyndromeTaxation Five TaxationsVoice Loss WindstrokeStroke

TCM actions

What classical sources say GB21 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Benefit BreastsBenefit Descend QiBenefit Regulate QiDescend QiRegulate Qi

Protocols using GB21

The 50 best-sourced of 194, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

Dizziness, Tinnitus, Headache, Vomiting, Nausea – LI18, SI11, SI14, GB20, GB21, GV16, GV20 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60079-0 ↗)
Knee Weakness, Tremor Arm, Epigastric Pain, Fatigue Arm, Stiffness Shoulder, Anxiety Performance – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI14, ST36, HT07, TB05, GB21, GB34, GV26 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep210 ↗)
Stiffness Neck, Neck Chronic Pain, Disability Neck, Anxiety Pain-related – SI14, SI15, GB21 (doi:10.1155/2011/543291 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Stroke Sequela – LI15, SI11, SI12, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1155/2013/504686 ↗)
Headache, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Myofascial Pain, Trigger Point Upper Trapezius, Stiffness Cervical, Restricted Range Of Motion Cervical – LI04, GB20, GB21, LV03 (doi:10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0066 ↗)
Neck Pain, Radiating Arm Pain, Disc Herniation Cervical, Radiculopathy Cervical – LI04, SI03, BL10, BL11, BL12, TB03, TB10, GB20, GB21, GV16 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2012.15.2.036 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Paralysis Hemiplegia, Stroke Sequelae, Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder – LU03, LI10, LI14, LI15, SI09, TB04, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1155/2015/694973 ↗)
Dizziness, Headache, Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Stress Work-related – BL10, GB20, GB21, GV16 (doi:10.1155/2016/4943204 ↗)
Nausea, Headache Post-dural-puncture, Headache Bilateral, Photosensitivity, Occiput Pain – LI04, ST36, SP06, GB21, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2015.010 ↗)
Neck Chronic Pain, Shoulder Chronic Pain – LI15, SI15, GB21 (doi:10.1155/2016/7358918 ↗)
Upper Limb Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Hand Swelling, Loss Of Function Upper Limb, Cold Sensation Hand – LU02, LI05, HT01, SI10, SI11, GB21 (doi:10.1016/j.jams.2014.03.004 ↗)
Paralysis Facial, Synkinesis, Sequelae Facial Nerve Palsy – ST02, ST03, ST04, ST06, ST07, SI19, GB02, GB21, LV03, CV17 (doi:10.1016/j.jams.2015.01.006 ↗)
Anxiety, Palpitations, Depression, Insomnia, Anger, Back Pain, Irritability, Memory Impairment – BL40, BL56, BL57, GB20, GB21, CV06, CV12, CV17 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.018 ↗)
Anxiety, Palpitations, Insomnia, Anger, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Irritability – BL40, BL56, BL57, GB20, GB21, CV06, CV12, CV17 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.018 ↗)
Anxiety, Palpitations, Insomnia, Anger, Chest Discomfort, Paralysis Facial, Irritability – ST01, ST02, ST03, ST04, GB14, GB20, GB21, CV06, CV12, CV17 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.018 ↗)
Constipation, Hand Weakness, Myelopathy Cervical, Dysesthesia Hand, Lower-extremity Weakness, Tingling Finger Pain – SI03, SI04, SI14, SI15, GB21 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012249 ↗)
Lactation Deficiency, Postpartum Insufficient Milk Production – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016456 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Disc Herniation Cervical, Radiculopathy Cervical, Upper-extremity Pain, Upper-extremity Numbness – LI04, LI11, SI03, GB20, GB21, GV16 (doi:10.1155/2019/2345640 ↗)
Dizziness, Insomnia, Headache Occipital, Neuralgia Occipital, Visual Disturbance, Neck Posterior Pain, Lightheadedness – LI04, SP06, TB05, GB20, GB21, GB34, LV03, LV05 (doi:10.1177/2164956119890546 ↗)
Anxiety, Insomnia, Lethargy, Diarrhea, Psychomotor Retardation, Depression Bipolar, Malaise General – LI04, ST25, ST27, ST36, SP06, BL15, BL18, BL20, PC06, GB20, GB21, LV03, CV04, GV20 (doi:10.1177/1179547620967379 ↗)
Anxiety, Stool Loose, Menstruation Irregular, Vision Visual Field Defect, Vision Blind Spot, Neck Myofascial Pain – LI04, LI10, ST36, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT08, SI03, SI13, BL10, BL18, BL20, BL22, BL23, BL65, PC06, PC07, GB20, GB21, GB34, LV03, GV14, GV20, MS14 (doi:10.1177/21649561211021081 ↗)
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, Facial Pain, Myofascial Pain, Masticatory Muscle Pain, Masticatory Pain, Temporomandibular Pain, Myofascial Pain Jaw – LI04, LI11, SI19, BL02, TB23, GB20, GB21, GB34, LV02, CV23 (doi:10.1590/1678-7757-2020-1035 ↗)
Dizziness, Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Stiffness Shoulder, Disc Herniation Cervical, Upper Limb Numbness, Cervical Disc Herniation – GB20, GB21, GV14 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028540 ↗)
Dizziness, Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain, Arm Numbness, Leg Weakness, Stiffness Neck – SI11, BL10, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.3233/THC-228048 ↗)
Dizziness, Cervical Spondylosis, Neck Pain, Arm Numbness, Leg Weakness, Stiffness Neck – SI03, SI11, BL10, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.3233/THC-228048 ↗)
Finger Pain, Hand Swelling, Trigger Finger, Hand Finger Pain, Stiffness Hand, Locking Finger – LU10, LI04, LI11, ST36, PC06, GB21, LV03 (doi:10.1089/acu.2022.0028 ↗)
Lymphedema Upper-limb, Edema Arm, Post-mastectomy Swelling, Breast-cancer Complication – LU05, LI11, LI14, SI09, SI11, BL13, BL20, BL23, PC06, TB05, GB21, CV17, GV14 (doi:10.1177/15347354231172735 ↗)
Stiffness Neck, Stiffness Shoulder, Neck Chronic Pain – SI14, BL10, BL42, GB21 (doi:10.3390/medicina59122141 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Tendonitis Calcific, Range-of-motion Limited Shoulder – LI04, LI14, LI15, ST37, ST38, SI09, SI12, TB05, TB14, GB21, GB34 (doi:10.1016/j.jams.2017.12.004 ↗)
Neck Pain, Disability Neck, Spondylosis Cervical, Radiculopathy Cervical, Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy, Calcification Nuchal Ligament – LI04, LI10, LI11, SI11, SI15, BL10, BL11, TB05, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210531 ↗)
Neck Pain, Spondylosis Cervical, Radiculopathy Cervical, Calcification Nuchal Ligament – LI04, LI10, LI11, SI11, TB05, GB21 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210531 ↗)
Paralysis Upper Limb, Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy Spastic Hemiplegic, Hand Problems, Arm Problems, Upper Limb Weakness, Spastic Hemiplegia – LI03, LI04, LI05, LI10, LI11, LI13, LI14, LI15, SI03, SI05, SI09, SI11, PC06, TB04, TB05, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1177/2515690X251317438 ↗)
Shoulder Blade Pain, Headache Occipital, Neck Pain, Arm Numbness, Cervical Pain, Radiculopathy Cervical, Scapular Pain – SI04, SI11, SI15, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000039483 ↗)
Depression, Shoulder Pain, Upper-limb Pain, Scapular-girdle Pain, Range-of-motion Restricted, Functional-limitation Upper-limb, Post-mastectomy – LU05, LI04, LI15, ST36, ST38, SP09, BL60, KD07, GB21, LV03, CV03 (doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.809 ↗)
Fatigue, Pain, Lymphedema Upper-limb, Upper-limb Weakness, Shoulder Dysfunction, Cancer Breast Post-surgical – LU05, LI04, LI15, ST36, ST38, SP09, BL60, KD07, GB21, LV03, CV03 (doi:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.3.799 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Stiffness Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis – LI15, LI16, SI11, TB14, GB21 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Stiffness Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis – LI15, LI16, SI11, GB21 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
Hemiplegia, Shoulder Pain, Post-stroke Pain – LI11, LI15, ST36, GB21, GB31, GB39 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
Neck Pain, Cervicalgia – SI12, SI14, BL11, BL12, TB15, GB21 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
Arm Pain, Neck Pain, Disc Herniation Cervical, Radiculopathy Cervical, Upper Limb Numbness – SI14, SI15, GB20, GB21, GV16 (doi:10.2147/JPR.S527880 ↗)
Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Neck Chronic Pain, Limited-range-of-motion Cervical – GB21 (doi:10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076 ↗)
Labor Pain, Anxiety Labor, Fear Delivery – GB21 (doi:10.17795/nmsjournal19948 ↗)
Contracture Knee, Brachial Plexus Injury, Muscle Atrophy, Paralysis Upper Extremity, Paralysis Lower Extremity, Contracture Ankle, Contracture Shoulder, Contracture Elbow, Scoliosis, Neuromotor Impairment, Steppage Gait – LU01, LI04, LI05, LI11, LI14, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP09, SP10, SI05, SI06, SI07, SI09, BL11, BL12, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL36, BL37, BL39, BL55, BL56, BL57, BL58, BL60, BL61, BL62, KD03, KD04, KD05, KD06, TB09, GB20, GB21, GB40 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2013.16.009 ↗)
Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LI04, SI01, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST18, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – ST13, ST15, ST16, ST18, ST36, SP06, SP10, GB21, CV17 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum – LI04, ST11, ST17, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV16, CV17 (doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 ↗)
Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Limited Range Of Motion Neck – LI04, LI05, LI17, LI18, SI03, SI14, SI15, SI16, BL10, BL11, BL60, TB03, TB10, TB16, GB20, GB21, GB39, GV14, GV16 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 ↗)
Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Limited Range Of Motion Neck – SI15, TB16, GB20, GB21 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.01.002 ↗)

Most often selected alongside GB21

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with GB21. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

GB20Wind Pool84 protocols
LI04Junction Valley71 protocols
ST36Leg Three Miles44 protocols
GV14Great Vertebra39 protocols
SI11Heavenly Gathering37 protocols
LI11Pond At The Bend36 protocols
LV03Great Surge34 protocols
CV17Chest Centre33 protocols
BL10Celestial Pillar29 protocols
LI15Shoulder And Clavicle28 protocols
SI14Outer Shoulder Point27 protocols
SI03Back Stream26 protocols

Other points on the Gallbladder Meridian

GB01 GB02 GB03 GB04 GB05 GB06 GB07 GB08 GB09 GB10 GB11 GB12 GB13 GB14 GB15 GB16 GB17 GB18 GB19 GB20 GB22 GB23 GB24 GB25 GB26 GB27 GB28 GB29 GB30 GB31 GB32 GB33 GB34 GB35 GB36 GB37 GB38 GB39 GB40 GB41 GB42 GB43 GB44