SI 9 — Jiān Zhēn (肩贞) — True Shoulder
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1. Overview
SI 9 — Jiān Zhēn (肩贞) — is an acupuncture point on the Small Intestine meridian. It is one of the most important local points in acupuncture for shoulder pain, particularly affecting the posterior shoulder and lateral arm.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use SI 9 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
Posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint, 1 cun above the posterior end of the axillary fold when the arm is hanging by the side.
3. Actions
- Activates the meridian and benefits the shoulder
- Dispels Wind and resolves Damp from the channel
- Reduces swelling and benefits the supraclavicular fossa
4. Indications
- Frozen shoulder — especially with limited abduction and external rotation
- Posterior shoulder pain and stiffness
- Rotator cuff impingement
- Pain radiating down the lateral aspect of the arm
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Lymphadenopathy of the axilla
- Inability to lift the arm overhead
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.5–1 cun. May be needled deeper toward the shoulder joint capsule in robust patients.
6. Clinical notes
SI 9 is the back-of-shoulder counterpart to LI 15 on the lateral shoulder. For frozen shoulder I needle SI 9 with the arm in slight abduction to engage the deep tissue, often combining with SI 11, LI 14 and Ahshi points for full coverage. Electroacupuncture between SI 9 and LI 15 is highly effective for stubborn rotator cuff impingement.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I treat frozen shoulder, rotator cuff impingement, posterior shoulder pain and post-stroke shoulder dysfunction with acupuncture prescriptions incorporating SI 9. Book a consultation in Wokingham, Berkshire.
