Acupuncture Points for Shoulder Left Pain

1 sourced protocol, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · LI14 · LI15 · TB05 · TB14

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

LI14Upper Arm Prominence

LI14 acupoint
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🗺️ 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
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🗺️ 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

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ 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
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🗺️ 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

Needling + Electroacupuncture · 45 sessions over 90 days

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1342844 ↗
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Points cited for Shoulder Left Pain

How often each point appears across the 1 entries ranked highest for Shoulder Left Pain. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • LI14Upper Arm ProminenceLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian1 of 1
  • TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian1 of 1

How the studies delivered it

What the 1 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling1 of 1
  • Electroacupuncture1 of 1

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

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