LI15 Shoulder Bone

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

LI15 (Jiān Yú, “Shoulder Bone”) is the Meeting point of LI & Yang Qiao point of the Large Intestine Meridian. It is located on the shoulder, in the depression that forms between the anterior and middle portions of the deltoid muscle when the arm is abducted to 90 degrees. This point is located at the junction of the acromion and the head of the humerus. It expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder joint, moves Qi and blood in the arm, connects with the sinew and primary channels.

Location

On the shoulder, in the depression that forms between the anterior and middle portions of the deltoid muscle when the arm is abducted to 90 degrees. This point is located at the junction of the acromion and the head of the humerus.

Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.8 to 1.5 cun. Alternatively, oblique inferior insertion towards the axilla, or posterior insertion for posterior shoulder problems, 1.5 to 2.0 cun.

TCM functions

Expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder joint, moves Qi and blood in the arm, connects with the sinew and primary channels..

Indications

Shoulder pain, inability to raise the arm, arm pain, stiffness and pain along the channel pathway, neck unable to turn left or right, hemiplegia, scrofula, urticaria, skin rashes, toothache, deafness, pain and contraction of the sinews, color of the face is scorched and withered, loss of essence due to taxation, pain in the shoulder and arm preventing raising the hand to the head..

Meeting point of LI & Yang Qiao

Clinical notes

Jian Yu is the principal local point for all disorders of the shoulder joint, especially difficulty with abduction. Its classical indications for pain, inability to raise the arm, and stiffness are its primary modern uses. The extensive network of channels meeting here—including primary, sinew, and luo-connecting channels—explains its broad effectiveness for shoulder and upper arm issues, whether from acute injury, chronic strain, or wind-damp obstruction.

On the Large Intestine channel

LI15 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is LI15 located?

LI15 (Jiān Yú) is located on the shoulder, in the depression that forms between the anterior and middle portions of the deltoid muscle when the arm is abducted to 90 degrees. This point is located at the junction of the acromion and the head of the humerus.

What is LI15 used for?

LI15 expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder joint, moves Qi and blood in the arm, connects with the sinew and primary channels. Common clinical indications include shoulder pain, inability to raise the arm, arm pain, stiffness and pain along the channel pathway, neck unable to turn left or right, hemiplegia, scrofula, urticaria, skin rashes, toothache, deafness, pain and contraction of the sinews, color of the face is scorched and withered, loss of essence due to taxation, pain in the shoulder and arm preventing raising the hand to the head.

How is LI15 needled?

Perpendicular insertion 0.8 to 1.5 cun. Alternatively, oblique inferior insertion towards the axilla, or posterior insertion for posterior shoulder problems, 1.5 to 2.0 cun.

Which meridian is LI15 on?

LI15 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.