Location
Anteroinferior to the acromion on the upper portion of the deltoid muscle; when arm is in the full abduction the point is in the depression the appearing at the anterior border of the acromioclavicular joint.
Cautions
Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax; caution in shoulder injuries.
Indications
Conditions for which LI15 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Benefit GynaecologicalBenefit GynaecologicalBenefit Regulate BloodBenefit Regulate QiBenefit ShouldersBenefit ShouldersContraction ArmContraction ArmDamp ShoulderDamp ShoulderGroin DisorderGroin DisorderDissipate Phlegm NodulesDissipate Phlegm NodulesUrinary ProblemsUrinary ProblemsGoiterHeat LimbsHeat LimbsHeat PersistentHeat PersistentHemiplegiaHigh Blood PressureHigh Blood PressureUnable to Raise ArmUnable to Turn NeckImmobility Arm RaisingImmobility Neck TurningInjury ColdInjury ColdArm NumbnessArm NumbnessPainShoulder PainShoulder PainShoulder RednessShoulder RednessRegulate BloodRegulate QiScrofulaSeminal Emission TaxationSeminal Emission TaxationHeat Shoulder SensationHeat Shoulder SensationShoulder SwellingShoulder SwellingBi Arthralgia Finger SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Finger SyndromeWind Damp SyndromeWind-damp SyndromeUrticaria HeatUrticaria HeatUrticaria WindUrticaria WindShoulder WeaknessShoulder WeaknessWindWind AtrophyWind AtrophyWind ParalysisWind ParalysisWind ShoulderWind ShoulderStroke
Protocols using LI15
- Hemiplegia, Ischemic Stroke, Dysphagia – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP06, BL10, TB05, GB20, GB34, LV03, CV23, GV16, MS06, MS07 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-016-1193-y)
- Ischemic Stroke, Cognitive Impairment Mild – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST34, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP06, TB05, GB13, GB34, LV03, GV20, GV24 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-214)
- Shoulder Pain, Adhesive Capsulitis – LI15, LI16, SI11, TB14, GB21 (https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090608)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Joint Pain, Inflammation Joint – LI05, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP05, SP09, HT03, SI05, SI08, BL40, BL62, KD06, PC07, TB04, TB10, TB14, GB34, GB40 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1)
- Shoulder Pain – LI11, LI15, LI16, SI03, SI09, SI10, SI11, TB14, GB21 (https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13090608)
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Spasticity, Paralysis Limb, Motor Deficit Upper Limb, Motor Deficit Lower Limb – LI04, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP06, BL10, TB05, GB30, GB39, LV03, CV23, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-025-08072-3)
- Shoulder Pain, Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder, Restricted Movement Shoulder, Tenosynovitis Biceps Long Head Tendon, Tenosynovitis Biceps Long Head – LI04, LI11, LI15, SI09, TB05, TB14 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000861)
- Shoulder Pain, Restricted Range Of Motion Shoulder, Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder, Restricted Movement Shoulder, Tenosynovitis Biceps Long Head Tendon, Tenosynovitis Biceps Long Head – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, SI09, TB05, TB14 (https://doi.org/10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000861)
- Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Rotator Cuff Pain, Shoulder Problems – LI15, LI16, SI09, SI10, SI11, SI12, SI13, TB14 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000046638)
- Urticaria Chronic, Pruritus Wind-heat Type – LI10, LI11, LI15 (https://doi.org/10.27021/d.cnki.gfjzc.2024.000050)
- Paralysis Lower Limb, Motor Dysfunction Lower Limb, Stroke Hemiplegia, Spasm Extensor, Gait Hemiparetic – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, TB05 (https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3805628)
- Post-stroke Depression – LU04, LI04, LI06, LI07, LI10, LI11, LI12, LI13, LI15, ST02, ST32, ST33, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP06, SP10, SP11, HT05, BL15, BL20, BL23, BL61, BL64, KD02, KD03, PC02, PC03, PC06, TB03, TB06, TB07, TB09, TB12, TB14, GB20, GB31, GB33, GB43, LV02, LV03, LV05, LV14, GV20, GV23, GV26 (Acupuncture for Ischemic Post-stroke Depression. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02472613)