Triple Burner Meridian
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SJ-11
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Upper Arm
Location
1 cun above Tianjing TB-10 or 2 cun superior to the olecranon.
Main Actions
- Removes Obstructions from the Channel
- Expels Damp-Heat
Indications
Eye pain
Jaundice
Arm pain
Headaches
Heavy head
Yellow eyes
Arm stiffness
Shoulder pain
Shoulder stiffness
Lateral costal region pain
Commentary
Qinglengyuan TB-11 is not a major point.
Like its neighboring Triple Burner Channel points, it is also able to open the Channel by removing Obstructions. Therefore, it eases pain and stiffness in arm and shoulder, especially when the patients have difficulties to raise their arms.
Furthermore, it resolves Damp-Heat on the head.
Classical Sources
《针灸大成》 (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Lists Qinglengyuan among the 23 points of the San Jiao channel in the classical verse: "天井清冷渊消泺" (Tianjing, Qinglengyuan, Xiaoluo).
《针灸甲乙经》 (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): Records Qinglengyuan as part of the Hand Shaoyang San Jiao meridian, documenting its location and basic indications for shoulder and arm pain.
Name interpretation: The name 清冷渊 (Qīng Lěng Yuān) means "Clear Cold Abyss." According to classical commentary, this refers to the qi from Tianjing SJ-10 further cooling and descending at this point, settling like cold water in a deep pool. The "clear" and "cold" qualities reflect the nature of the qi at this location.
How to Locate
Flex the elbow to 90°, use Tianjing TB-10 as a reference point by palpating it in a depression about 1 cun above the olecranon. Then locate Qinglengyuan TB-11 in a depression on the triceps brachii muscle.
Caution
This point is located over the triceps brachii muscle. While not considered dangerous, practitioners should be aware of the position of the radial nerve in deeper tissues. Avoid excessive needle manipulation. Standard clean needle technique is sufficient for safe needling.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
0.5 to 1 cun vertically.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distension and soreness around the elbow area, with possible radiation up toward the shoulder or down toward the forearm along the San Jiao channel pathway.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes
Cupping
Recommended
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Recommended
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