Acupuncture Points for Shoulder Weakness

3 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

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Points cited for Shoulder Weakness

How often each point appears across the 3 entries ranked highest for Shoulder Weakness. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • LI15Shoulder And ClavicleLarge Intestine Meridian3 of 3
  • LI14Upper Arm ProminenceLarge Intestine Meridian2 of 3
  • TB13Upper Arm ConvergenceTriple Burner Meridian2 of 3
  • TB14Shoulder Bone HoleTriple Burner Meridian2 of 3
  • KD26Lively CentreKidney Meridian1 of 3
  • LI16Great BoneLarge Intestine Meridian1 of 3
  • LU01Central MansionLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU02Cloud GateLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU03Celestial StorehouseLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU04Guarding WhiteLung Meridian1 of 3
  • LU05Cubit MarshLung Meridian1 of 3
  • SI09True ShoulderSmall Intestine Meridian1 of 3

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (6 points)

100%

LI14 · LI15 · LI16 · SI10 · TB13 · TB14

Point 1 of 6

LI14Upper Arm Prominence

LI14 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 臂臑 (bì bù)

🎯 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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015325 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI14, LI15, TB13, TB14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1155/2020/9786367 ↗

Protocol (3 points)

100%

LI15 · ST38 · SI09

Point 1 of 3

LI15Shoulder And Clavicle

LI15 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 肩髃 (jiān dòu)

🎯 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

Study-reported

Electroacupuncture

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.12659/MSM.923240 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI15 also appears in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015325 ↗

Protocol (11 points)

100%

LU01 · LU02 · LU03 · LU04 · LU05 · LI14 · LI15 · KD26 · TB12 · TB13 · TB14

Point 1 of 11

LU01Central Mansion

LU01 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Lung Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 中府 (zhōng fǔ)

🎯 Location: Laterosuperior to the sternum 1 thumb width below LU02 at the level of the 1st intercostal space 6 thumb widths lateral to the anterior midline.

⚠️ Cautions: Needle obliquely or laterally, never deeply or medially – risk of pneumothorax.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Cough, Chest Pain, Fever, Shortness of Breath

Study-reported

Needling · 1 session

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1155/2020/9786367 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI14, LI15, TB13, TB14 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000015325 ↗
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How the studies delivered it

What the 3 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Electroacupuncture2 of 3
  • Needling1 of 3

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

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