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.
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.
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.
Expels wind and dampness, alleviates pain, benefits the shoulder joint, moves Qi and blood in the arm, connects with the sinew and primary channels.
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.
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.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第十三 · Source: Wikisource ↗
顏色焦枯，勞氣失精，肩臂痛不得上頭，灸肩髃百壯，穴在肩外頭近後，以手按之有解宛宛中The text records moxibustion at LI15 with 100 cones for a parched, withered complexion, exhaustion with loss of essence, and shoulder and arm pain preventing raising the arm to the head; the point is at the outer tip of the shoulder toward the back, in the hollow felt at the joint when pressed.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之二 · 十二經脈起止 · 大腸經二十穴分寸 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩髃 從臂臑上行膊骨頭肩端上兩骨罅處宛宛中舉臂取之有空灸三壯至七七壯According to this text, LI15 lies above Binao at the head of the upper arm bone, in the hollow of the gap between two bones at the shoulder tip, where a space appears when the arm is raised; moxa 3 up to 49 cones.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十 · 針灸門 · 灸刺禁忌論 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩髃本不禁灸。 亦不宜多灸。 四肢雖亦可灸。 然在法惟宜少灸The text states that LI15 is not forbidden for moxibustion, but should not receive much of it; although the limbs may be moxibusted, the rule is to use only a little.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 手部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩髃主治癱瘓疾，手攣肩腫效非常This verse records that LI15 was used for paralysis and for cramped hands and swollen shoulders, and praises its effect as remarkable.
LI15 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:
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.
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.
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.
LI15 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).