What Acupressure Points Should I Press for Shoulder Periarthritis?
Massaging certain acupuncture points, such as Dazhui (GV14), Jianjing (GB21), Jianyu (LI15), Jianzhen (SI9), Tianzong (SI11), Zhongfu (LU1), and Quchi (LI11), can effectively alleviate pain and discomfort caused by shoulder periarthritis. It is recommended that these massages are performed by professional physicians. If self-massaging, instead of locating the precise acupuncture points, one can directly massage the front and outer parts of the shoulder, the posterior bone area of the shoulder joint, press the upper limb muscles, or tap the posterior part of the shoulder joint.
1. Dazhui (GV14): While sitting upright with the head lowered, this point is located at the lower end of the neck, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. If the bony prominence is not very apparent, ask the patient to move their neck, and the immobile joint will be the first thoracic vertebra, approximately level with the shoulders. It is mainly used to treat stiffness of the neck, shoulder and back pain, stiffness of the waist and back, and opisthotonus.
2. Jianjing (GB21): Located on the shoulder, directly above the nipple, at the midpoint of the line connecting Dazhui (GV14) and the shoulder peak.
3. Jianyu (LI15): Prone to cold and wind, it is located on the shoulder, above the deltoid muscle, in the depression anterior and inferior to the acromion when the arm is abducted or extended forward.
4. Jianzhen (SI9): Located posterior and inferior to the shoulder joint, 1 cun above the posterior axillary fold when the arm is adducted.
5. Tianzong (SI11): Located on the scapular region, in the central depression of the infraspinatus fossa, level with the fourth thoracic vertebra.
6. Zhongfu (LU1): Located on the upper outer chest, level with the first intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
7. Quchi (LI11): Located on the lateral end of the elbow crease, flex the elbow, at the midpoint of the line connecting Chize (LU5) and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
8. Waiguan (SJ5): Located on the dorsal side of the forearm, on the line connecting Yangchi (TE4) and the elbow tip, 2 cun above the wrist crease, between the ulna and radius.
