SI9 (Jiānzhēn, “Jiānzhēn”) is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. It is located on the posterior aspect of the shoulder, in the depression inferior to the scapular spine. With the arm adducted, this point is located 1 cun superior to the posterior axillary fold. It expels wind, clears heat from the channel, alleviates pain, and benefits the shoulder joint.
On the posterior aspect of the shoulder, in the depression inferior to the scapular spine. With the arm adducted, this point is located 1 cun superior to the posterior axillary fold.
Perpendicular insertion, 1.0 to 1.5 cun. Caution: Deep needling may injure the shoulder joint capsule.
Expels wind, clears heat from the channel, alleviates pain, and benefits the shoulder joint.
Shoulder pain, inability to raise the arm, heat in the shoulder, wind-damp impediment (bi), numbness of the hand and arm, cold and heat sensations, ear ringing, deafness, pain in the supraclavicular fossa, neck pain, scrofula.
Jianzhen is a primary local point for a wide range of shoulder disorders, especially those involving pain and restricted movement on the posterior aspect. Its classical indications for clearing heat make it suitable for inflammatory conditions of the shoulder joint. The point's ability to treat ear disorders like tinnitus and deafness, as mentioned in multiple classics, highlights the Small Intestine channel's connection to the head and sense organs.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十三 · 針灸門 · 三焦 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肩貞（在肩曲下兩骨解間。 肩髃後陷者中。 灸三壯。 主寒熱According to this text, SI9 lies below the curve of the shoulder in the cleft between two bones, in the depression behind Jianyu (LI15); moxibustion 3 cones, and it was used for cold and heat.
《十四經發揮》 Shísì Jīng Fāhuī — Exposition of the Fourteen Channels, 1341 · Source: Wikisource ↗
肩貞：在肩曲胛下，兩骨解間According to this text, SI9 lies below the curve of the scapula, in the cleft between two bones.
《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 ↗
肩貞二穴，在肩曲胛下，兩骨解間，肩髃後陷中。 《針經》刺入八分，灸三壯。 竇氏針入一寸半，灸二七壯According to this text, SI9 lies below the curve of the scapula, between two bones, in the depression behind Jianyu (LI15); the Zhenjing gives needling 0.8 cun and 3 moxa cones, while Master Dou needles 1.5 cun with 14 cones.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷08 · Source: Wikisource ↗
肩中熱痛，麻痺不舉（一本作手臂不舉），肩貞主之The text records that SI9 was used for hot pain in the shoulder with numbness and inability to raise the arm.
SI9 is one of 19 points on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
SI9 (Jiānzhēn) is located on the posterior aspect of the shoulder, in the depression inferior to the scapular spine. With the arm adducted, this point is located 1 cun superior to the posterior axillary fold.
SI9 expels wind, clears heat from the channel, alleviates pain, and benefits the shoulder joint. Common clinical indications include shoulder pain, inability to raise the arm, heat in the shoulder, wind-damp impediment (bi), numbness of the hand and arm, cold and heat sensations, ear ringing, deafness, pain in the supraclavicular fossa, neck pain, scrofula.
Perpendicular insertion, 1.0 to 1.5 cun. Caution: Deep needling may injure the shoulder joint capsule. Caution: The Zhen Jiu Da Cheng lists Jianzhen as a point where moxibustion is forbidden.
SI9 is a point on the Small Intestine Channel Meridian (Shǒu Tài Yáng Xiǎo Cháng Jīng).