Acupuncture Points for Shoulder Problems

1 sourced protocol, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (8 points)

76%

LI15 · LI16 · SI09 · SI10 · SI11 · SI12 · SI13 · TB14

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

LI16Great Bone

LI16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 巨骨 (jù gǔ)

🎯 Location: In the upper aspect of the shoulder in the depression the between acromial extremity of the clavicle and scapular spine.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling due to risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Epilepsy, Goiter

SI09True Shoulder

SI09 acupoint
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🗺️ 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

SI10Upper Arm Shu Point

SI10 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臑俞 (nào shū)

🎯 Location: When arm is adducted, point is directly above the posterior end of the axillary fold in the depression the inferior to the scapular spine.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shoulder Pain, Pain, Chills, Arm Pain

SI11Heavenly Gathering

SI11 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 天宗 (tiān zōng)

🎯 Location: On the scapula in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa and at the level of the 4th thoracic vertebra.

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

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Qi Stagnation, Chest Fullness, Elbow Pain, Shoulder Blade Pain

SI12Grasping The Wind

SI12 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 秉風 (bǐng fēng)

🎯 Location: In the center of the suprascapular fossa directly above the SI11; when arm is lifted point is at the site of the depression.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Wind, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula

SI13Crooked Wall

SI13 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Small Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 曲垣 (qū yuán)

🎯 Location: On the medial extremity of the suprascapular fossa about midway between SI10 and spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Shoulder Pain, Contraction Shoulder, Benefit Shoulders, Benefit Scapula, Oppression Shoulder Sensation

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

Thread embedding · 8 sessions over 8 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000046638 ↗
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Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Shoulder Problems:

Points cited for Shoulder Problems

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

  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • LI16Great BoneLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI09True ShoulderSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI10Upper Arm Shu PointSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI11Heavenly GatheringSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI12Grasping The WindSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • SI13Crooked WallSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 1
  • TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian1 of 1

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Shoulder Problems and found no effect. They are not counted above.

LI04 · LI11 · TB05 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.05.004 – No better than another treatment

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.

  • Thread embedding1 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.