肩前 : Jianqian : Front of the Shoulder

Location Guides:

Classifications:

Trigger point (Travell & Simons, 1998, Trigger Point Manual)

Location:

On the anterior aspect of the shoulder joint, midway between the anterior axillary crease and Jianyu L.I.-15.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 1 - 1.5 cun, or oblique or oblique-transverse insertion distally towards the elbow 2 - 3 cun

TCM Actions:

Activates Qi and Blood and benefits the shoulder joint

TCM Indications:

• Stiffness and pain of the anterior of the shoulder, numbness, paralysis and immobility of the shoulder joint.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: C5 - C6 via brachial plexus and axillary nerve

Dermatome Segment: C4

Trigger Point Associations:

Muscle:
Deltoid

Location Notes:
Melzack (1977) correlates this point to Yunmen Lu-2 but this point seems better suited to Travell & Simon's (1998) diagrams

Pain Referral Pattern:
To lateral shoulder

Indications:
Shoulder pain with difficulty raising the arm in any direction

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

In seizing martial arts (Qin Na) this point is a cavity press point (Dian Xue, 點穴) and a cavity striking point (Da Xue 打穴) causing great pain of the shoulder or the arm to go numb (Yang, 1995, Tai Chi Chin Na; Yang, 2004, Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition).

A powerful slashing strike to this point may sever the cephalic vein causing profuse bleeding (Kaiser, 2019, The Dangers from Knife and Weapon Slashing).

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Notes:

Very common point for anterior shoulder pain. Needled if tender upon palpation.

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here