Triple Burner Meridian
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SJ-14
Needle Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular), 45° (Oblique)
Body Area
Shoulder
Location
Posterior and inferior to the acromion, in the depression about 1 cun posterior to Jianyu LI-15.
Main Actions
- Remove Obstructions from the Channel
Indications
Commentary
Jianliao TB-14 is mainly used to open the Channel by removing the obstructions in the arm and shoulder area. Therefore, it can ease pain, stiffness and numbness there. It is an important local point for this purpose.
Classical Sources
《针灸甲乙经》 (Zhenjiu Jiayijing / A-B Classic of Acupuncture): "肩髎，在肩端臑上，斜举臂取之" — Jianliao is located at the shoulder tip above the upper arm; locate it by raising the arm obliquely.
《针灸甲乙经》: "肩重不举，臂痛，肩髎主之" — Heaviness of the shoulder with inability to raise [the arm], and arm pain are governed by Jianliao.
《铜人腧穴针灸图经》 (Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing / Bronze Figure Manual): "治肩重不可举臂肘" — Treats heaviness of the shoulder with inability to raise the arm and elbow.
《备急千金要方》 (Beiji Qianjin Yaofang / Essential Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold): "臂痛，肩髎、天宗、阳谷" — For arm pain, [use] Jianliao, Tianzong, and Yanggu.
How to Locate
Abduct the patient's arm and locate two depressions inferior to the acromion in the origin of the deltoid muscle. Locate Jianliao TB-14 in the posterior depression, below the dorsal aspect of the lateral extremity of the acromion. Jianyu LI-15 is in the anterior depression.
Caution
Deep needling toward HT-1 (Jiquan) passes through a neurovascular bundle containing the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery/vein. Practitioners should be aware of underlying anatomy. This point lies near the surgical neck of the humerus; fractures or shoulder dislocations in this area may affect the axillary nerve.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular) / 45° (Oblique)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
1.0–1.5 cun
Needling Directions
With the arm adducted, 0.5–1 cun perpendicularly towards the centre of the axilla or 1–2 cun transversally to obliquely towards the elbow.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Distension and soreness spreading throughout the shoulder joint. With deeper insertion toward HT-1 (Jiquan), numbness or an electric sensation may radiate down toward the fingers.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 5–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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