GB21 (Jianjing, “Shoulder Well”) is the Meeting point of GB, SJ, ST, & Yangwei point of the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located on the highest point of the shoulder, in a depression located 1.5 cun anterior to the great bone (acromion) and superior to the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen). It can be found by pressing with three fingers, in the depression directly under the middle finger. It regulates Qi, activates the channel, alleviates pain, resolves phlegm, benefits the shoulders and arms, and promotes labor.
On the highest point of the shoulder, in a depression located 1.5 cun anterior to the great bone (acromion) and superior to the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen). It can be found by pressing with three fingers, in the depression directly under the middle finger.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Grasp the trapezius muscle and needle into the pinched-up area. Deep, superior, or medial insertion is strictly contraindicated due to the risk of pneumothorax.
Regulates Qi, activates the channel, alleviates pain, resolves phlegm, benefits the shoulders and arms, and promotes labor.
Shoulder and back pain, hip pain, arm that cannot be raised, chills and fever, cold sensation in the shoulder and back, spasm, pain as if the shoulder is being pulled out, inability to turn the head, arm pain, inability to bring hands to the head, stroke with qi obstruction and excessive phlegm causing inability to speak, wind-labor (feng lao) and the hundred diseases, traumatic injury to the hip and loin, head and neck pain, five taxations and seven damages, difficult labor, weakness of hands and feet after miscarriage, retained placenta, hand and foot reversal cold after childbirth, cough and rebellious qi, shortness of breath, upper qi, cough, kidney deficiency low back pain, nine types of leaking (jiu lou).
Jianjing is a critical point for releasing tension in the upper back, neck, and shoulders, treating conditions from local pain and stiffness to headaches. Its strong downward-moving action on Qi makes it effective for inducing labor and lactation, but also necessitates its cautious use, especially during pregnancy. The classical emphasis on combining it with ST36 highlights its powerful effect and the need to anchor the Qi to prevent adverse reactions like dizziness or fainting.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
肩井 在缺盆上，大骨前寸半，以三指按，當中指下陷中是，止可針五分，若深， 令人悶倒，速補According to this text, GB21 lies above Quepen, 1.5 cun in front of the large bone, in the depression under the middle finger when three fingers are pressed there. It warns to needle only 5 fen, since deeper needling makes a person collapse, and then one should tonify quickly.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷十一 · 針灸要覽 · 諸咳喘嘔噦氣逆 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩井（冷風哮妙，有孕勿灸The text notes that GB21 was considered effective for cold-wind wheezing, and that it should not be moxibusted during pregnancy.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩井二穴，在肩上陷缺盆上大骨前一寸半，以三指按取之，當中指下陷中，手足少陽陽維之會。 針入五分，灸七壯According to this text, GB21 lies on the shoulder in the depression above Quepen, 1.5 cun in front of the large bone, found under the middle finger with three fingers; it is a meeting point of hand and foot Shaoyang and Yangwei. Needling is 5 fen, with 7 moxa cones.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷10 · Source: Wikisource ↗
肩背髀痛，臂不舉，寒熱淒索，肩井主之The text records that GB21 was used for pain of the shoulder, back and thigh, inability to raise the arm, and chills and fever with shivering.
GB21 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB21 (Jianjing) is located on the highest point of the shoulder, in a depression located 1.5 cun anterior to the great bone (acromion) and superior to the supraclavicular fossa (Quepen). It can be found by pressing with three fingers, in the depression directly under the middle finger.
GB21 regulates Qi, activates the channel, alleviates pain, resolves phlegm, benefits the shoulders and arms, and promotes labor. Common clinical indications include shoulder and back pain, hip pain, arm that cannot be raised, chills and fever, cold sensation in the shoulder and back, spasm, pain as if the shoulder is being pulled out, inability to turn the head, arm pain, inability to bring hands to the head, stroke with qi obstruction and excessive phlegm causing inability to speak, wind-labor (feng lao) and the hundred diseases, traumatic injury to the hip and loin, head and neck pain, five taxations and seven damages, difficult labor, weakness of hands and feet after miscarriage, retained placenta, hand and foot reversal cold after childbirth, cough and rebellious qi, shortness of breath, upper qi, cough, kidney deficiency low back pain, nine types of leaking (jiu lou).
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-1.0 cun. Grasp the trapezius muscle and needle into the pinched-up area. Deep, superior, or medial insertion is strictly contraindicated due to the risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. Traditionally avoided or used with caution in PREGNANCY (strong qi/blood-moving or labour-promoting action). Deep needling is strongly contraindicated as it connects with the qi of the five Zang organs and can cause the patient to faint and lose consciousness. If this occurs, immediately needle ST36 Zusanli to descend the qi. Needling this point without subsequently needling ST36 can cause qi to ascend. Contraindicated in pregnancy as it can induce labor; however, it is used for difficult labor and post-miscarriage weakness. One source states it is unsuitable for moxibustion.
GB21 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).