SI 11 — Tiān Zōng (天宗) — Celestial Gathering
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1. Overview
SI 11 — Tiān Zōng (天宗) — is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine meridian. Its English name, Celestial Gathering, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is used regularly in acupuncture practice for a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I practise at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
In the infrascapular fossa, at the junction of the upper one-third and lower two-thirds of the distance between the lower border of the scapular spine and the inferior angle of the scapula.
3. Actions
- Activates the meridian and relieves shoulder and scapular pain
- Disperses Qi in the chest and benefits the breasts
- Relaxes sinews of the shoulder girdle
4. Indications
- Scapular and shoulder pain — primary point for the infraspinatus region
- Frozen shoulder
- Breast pain and mastitis
- Chest pain from Qi constraint
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1.0 cun. Extremely tender — a trigger point is almost universally present.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of in a clinical sharps container immediately after treatment.
6. Clinical notes
SI 11 is one of the most frequently needled trigger points in the shoulder girdle — a pronounced tender point is almost universally found here in patients with shoulder, neck and upper back tension. Its classical action of dispersing Qi in the chest and benefiting the breasts reflects the Small Intestine meridian's pathway across the scapula.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use SI 11 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Shoulder pain, Frozen shoulder, Neck pain. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
