SI13 (Quyuan, “Curved Wall”) is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. It is located on the superior aspect of the scapula, in the depression superior to the medial end of the spine of the scapula, approximately at the midpoint between SI10 (Naoshu) and the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2). It activates the channel, alleviates pain, and relaxes the sinews of the shoulder and scapula.
On the superior aspect of the scapula, in the depression superior to the medial end of the spine of the scapula, approximately at the midpoint between SI10 (Naoshu) and the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2).
Perpendicular or oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Caution is advised to avoid deep needling to prevent pneumothorax.
Activates the channel, alleviates pain, and relaxes the sinews of the shoulder and scapula.
Shoulder pain, circumferential Bi syndrome of the scapula, shoulder Bi with heat and pain, qi stagnation with stiffness and oppressive pain in the shoulder and scapula.
Quyuan is a key local point for pain and stiffness in the suprascapular region. The classical sources consistently describe it as being tender to palpation, making it an effective 'ashi' point for conditions affecting the supraspinatus muscle and surrounding tissues. Its indications for Bi syndrome, stiffness, and pain make it useful for various forms of shoulder pathology, including rotator cuff issues and general scapular tension.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 手太陽小腸經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
曲垣 在肩中央曲胛陷中按之應手痛。 （針五分。 灸三壯）治肩臂熱痛拘急According to this text, SI13 lies in the middle of the shoulder, in the depression of the curved scapula, painful to pressure; needle 0.5 cun, moxibustion 3 cones. It was used for hot pain and contracture of the shoulder and arm.
《類經圖翼》 Lèijīng Túyì — Illustrated Wings to the Classified Canon, Zhang Jiebin, 1624 · 卷六 · 經絡（四） · 手太陽小腸經穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
曲垣 在肩中央，曲胛陷中，按之應手痛。 刺五分，灸三壯。 甲乙經曰：十壯。 主治肩臂熱痛，拘急周痹According to this text, SI13 lies in the middle of the shoulder, in the depression of the curved scapula, painful to pressure; needle 0.5 cun, moxibustion 3 cones (10 cones according to the Jiayi jing). It was used for hot pain of the shoulder and arm, contracture and generalized bi.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之一·神照集 · 手太陽小腸經圖穴十三 · 手太陽小腸經所發一十九穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
曲垣二穴，在肩中央曲胛陷者中，按之動脈應手。 《針經》刺入八分或九分，灸十壯According to this text, SI13 lies in the middle of the shoulder, in the depression of the curved scapula, where a pulse is felt under pressure; the Zhenjing gives needling 0.8 or 0.9 cun and moxibustion 10 cones.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷八 · Source: Wikisource ↗
曲垣 肩中央曲胛陷中，按之應手痛。 銅人灸三壯，針五分，明堂針九分According to this text, SI13 lies in the middle of the shoulder, in the depression of the curved scapula, painful to pressure; the Tongren gives 3 moxa cones and needling 0.5 cun, the Mingtang needling 0.9 cun.
SI13 is one of 19 points on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SI13 (Quyuan) is located on the superior aspect of the scapula, in the depression superior to the medial end of the spine of the scapula, approximately at the midpoint between SI10 (Naoshu) and the spinous process of the second thoracic vertebra (T2).
SI13 activates the channel, alleviates pain, and relaxes the sinews of the shoulder and scapula. Common clinical indications include shoulder pain, circumferential Bi syndrome of the scapula, shoulder Bi with heat and pain, qi stagnation with stiffness and oppressive pain in the shoulder and scapula.
Perpendicular or oblique insertion towards the spine, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Caution is advised to avoid deep needling to prevent pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall. The Qian Jin Yao Fang lists Quyuan among the points that should not be needled or moxa'd during the fourth month of pregnancy.
SI13 is a point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian (Shǒu Tài Yáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng).