Back to search result Search again Previous Next ↑

Channel: SI, hand greater yáng (tài yáng) small intestine channel

Modern location: An acupoint located on the upper back, in the depression at the medial end of the supraspinous fossa.

Classical location: In the center of the shoulder, in the depression in the bend of the blade. The point hurts when pressed. From The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (针灸大成 zhēn jiǔ dà chéng)

Local anatomy: Superficially, the descending branches of the transverse cervical artery and vein; deeper, the muscular branch of the suprascapular artery and vein. Superficially, the lateral branch of the posterior ramus of the 2nd thoracic nerve, the accessory nerve; deeper, the muscular branch of the suprascapular nerve.

Action: Soothes the sinews and quickens the blood.

Modern indications: Shoulder and scapula pain.

Classical indications: Generalized impediment (zhōu bì); impediment (bì) of the shoulder developing into heat pain with hypertonicity and sensation of oppression.

Needle stimulus: Needling: 0.5‒0.7 cùn oblique or perpendicular insertion. Moxa: 3‒10 cones; pole 5‒20 min.

Point name meaning:

• 曲 qū: crooked, curved
• 垣 yuán: a wall; an ancient Chinese astronomical division

This name is a reference to the point location above the curved wall of the scapula. The character 垣 (yuán) may also have been chosen for its astronomical connotations. In ancient China, heavenly bodies were organized in three 垣 (yuán) and twenty-eight constellations. In this part of the body, the microcosmic equivalent of the heavens, the names of many points coincide with those of heavenly bodies or contain the character 天 (tiān), celestial. See acupoint names: origins, meanings, and translations.

Back to search result Search again Previous Next