Acupuncture Points for Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder

9 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LU03 · LI10 · LI14 · LI15 · SI09 · TB04 · TB14 · GB21

LU03Celestial Storehouse

LU03 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天府 (tiān fǔ)

🎯 Location: On the medial aspect of the upper arm 3 thumb widths below end of the axillary fold on the radial side of the biceps. brachii.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep needling; caution near brachial artery.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Asthma, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

LI14Upper Arm Prominence

LI14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臂臑 (bì nào)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the upper arm on the line connecting LI11 and LI15, 7 thumb widths above the LI11 at the insertion of the deltoid muscle.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with depth to avoid nerve damage.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Redness, Swelling, Pain, Goiter

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

TB04Yang Pool

TB04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽池 (yáng chí)

🎯 Location: On the transverse crease of the dorsum of the wrist in the depression the lateral to the tendon of the extensor digitorum communis.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Heat, Chest Fullness, Swelling, Shoulder Pain, Pain

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

Study-reported

Needling + Moxibustion · a 2-week course

Did better than usual care

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2015/694973 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI14, LI15, SI09, TB14, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13729/j.issn.1671-7813.z20170533 ↗
Press Needles
1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI15 · ST38 · SI09

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

ST38Ribbon Opening

ST38 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 條口 (tiáo kǒu)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Common Cold, Abdominal Pain, Numbness, Swelling, Pain

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12659/MSM.923240 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI15, ST38, SI09 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20240047 ↗

Protocol (8 points)

100%

LI15 · ST38 · SP09 · SI09 · BL57 · TB14 · GB34 · GV14

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

ST38Ribbon Opening

ST38 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 條口 (tiáo kǒu)

🎯 Location: 8 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Common Cold, Abdominal Pain, Numbness, Swelling, Pain

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

BL57Mountain Support

BL57 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Bladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 承山 (chéng shān)

🎯 Location: On the posterior midline of the leg between BL40 and BL60 in the pointed depression the formed below gastrocnemius belly when leg is stretched or heel is lifted.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution in severe varicose veins.

🛡️ Treats: Constipation, Pain, Rectal Prolapse, Malaria, Hemorrhoids

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

GV14Great Vertebra

GV14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 大椎 (dà zhuī)

🎯 Location: Below spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra approximately at the level of the shoulders.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with C7 vertebra.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Weakness, Heat, Chest Fullness

Study-reported

Needling · 9 sessions over 3 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20240047 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI15, SI09, TB14, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27258/d.cnki.gnxyc.2025.000483 ↗
Press Needles
72 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI15 · GB21

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

GB21Shoulder Well

GB21 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩井 (jiān jǐng)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Shortness of Breath, Phlegm, Kidney Deficiency, Depression

Study-reported

Point injection · 12 sessions over 6 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3390/healthcare14050605 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI15, GB21 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2015/694973 ↗

Protocol (7 points)

100%

LI04 · LI10 · LI11 · LI15 · SI09 · TB05 · TB14

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: 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.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

LI10Arm Three Miles

LI10 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 手三里 (shǒu sān lǐ)

🎯 Location: On the line joining LI05 and LI11, 2 thumb widths below cubital crease.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of local inflammation or injury.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal Pain, Pain, Facial Droop

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. Avoid excessive stimulation in weak patients.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000861 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, LI15, SI09, TB05, TB14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27258/d.cnki.gnxyc.2025.000483 ↗

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI04 · LI11 · LI15 · SI09 · TB05 · TB14

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: 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.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

LI11Pond At The Bend

LI11 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲池 (qū chí)

🎯 Location: When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. Avoid excessive stimulation in weak patients.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Heat, Vomiting, Abdominal Bloating

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān yú)

🎯 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.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Goiter, Hemiplegia

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩貞 (jiān zhēn)

🎯 Location: Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint; when arm is adducted point is 1 thumb width above the posterior end of the axillary fold.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Tinnitus, Wind, Numbness, Shoulder Blade Pain, Shoulder Pain

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

TB14Shoulder Bone Hole

TB14 acupoint
Click to enlarge

Click to view all layers

🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髎 (jiān liáo)

🎯 Location: On the shoulder posterior to the LI15 in the depression the inferior and posterior to the acromion the when arm is abducted.

⚠️ Cautions: Rule out fracture, dislocation and joint instability before needling, and do not needle into an acutely swollen joint or a haemarthrosis.

🛡️ Treats: Numbness, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Arm Pain, Benefit Shoulders

Study-reported

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.27044/d.cnki.ggzzu.2024.000861 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI11, LI15, SI09, TB05, TB14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.27258/d.cnki.gnxyc.2025.000483 ↗
AcuiQ Self-Treatment Guide
Acupressure you can do at home, every protocol traced to a trial. – $12.99, free updates for life

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder:

Points cited for Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder

How often each point appears across the 9 entries ranked highest for Limited Range Of Motion Shoulder. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian9 of 9
  • SI09True ShoulderSmall Intestine Meridian7 of 9
  • TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian6 of 9
  • GB21Shoulder WellGallbladder Meridian4 of 9
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 9
  • LI11Pond At The BendLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 9
  • LI14Upper Arm ProminenceLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 9
  • ST38Ribbon OpeningStomach Meridian3 of 9
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian3 of 9
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian2 of 9
  • GV14Great VertebraGoverning Vessel2 of 9
  • LI10Arm Three MilesLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 9

How the studies delivered it

What the 8 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling2 of 8
  • Moxibustion1 of 8
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 8
  • Point injection1 of 8
  • Acupressure1 of 8

Sessions: the 3 studies that gave a count ran a median of 10 (middle half 10 to 11).

Course: the 4 studies that gave a length ran a median of 32 days (middle half 19 days to 7 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.