Small Intestine meridian

SI-9 (Jiānzhēn, 肩贞) — True Shoulder

Meridian
Small Intestine (SI)
Anatomical view
posterior
Point classification
Regular point of the Small Intestine channel at the posterior shoulder.
Depth reference
Point texts describe 0.5–1.0 cun, but thoracic safety guidance requires patient-specific shallow oblique insertion
Moxibustion
Applicable according to the checked point reference
Reference aliases
SI9; Jianzhen; 肩贞; True Shoulder

Anatomical location

On the posterior shoulder, 1 cun above the posterior axillary fold and posterior to the deltoid when the arm rests by the side.

Traditional actions

Activates the channel; benefits the shoulder joint; disperses local swelling.

Recorded indications

Primary: Shoulder pain; limited arm elevation; pain along the posterior upper arm.

Secondary: Axillary swelling; tingling or weakness of the arm.

How to read this reference

AcuAtlas separates anatomical location, traditional classification, recorded actions, indications, insertion-depth references, and moxibustion notes because these fields answer different study questions. The location statement is the orientation anchor. The classification and actions describe traditional reference categories, while indications summarize how checked educational sources associate the point with established teaching material. They are not a recommendation to select or stimulate the point.

Depth and moxibustion entries are reproduced as bounded reference notes rather than procedural instructions. Individual anatomy, technique, angle, clinical setting, and local professional standards can change what is appropriate. Review the cited documents and supervised training material before using any technical field. The normalized map coordinate is included only to place the point on the matching AcuAtlas body plate; it is not a substitute for palpation or anatomical assessment.

Sources

References displayed on this page were recorded with the point dataset.

  1. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region SI9, p. 92
  2. American Dragon Acupuncture Point Reference SI-9: Actions, Indications, Needling and moxa
  3. Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th edition, February 2024 revision Pneumothorax, pp. 10–12: SI9 event association and thoracic depth/angle guidance

Frequently asked questions

Where is SI-9 located?

On the posterior shoulder, 1 cun above the posterior axillary fold and posterior to the deltoid when the arm rests by the side.

What reference actions and indications are recorded for SI-9?

Activates the channel; benefits the shoulder joint; disperses local swelling. The dataset lists these primary indications: Shoulder pain; limited arm elevation; pain along the posterior upper arm. Secondary indications are recorded as: Axillary swelling; tingling or weakness of the arm.

Is SI-9 safe during pregnancy?

This dataset does not identify SI-9 as one of its five mandatory pregnancy-caution points. That is not a declaration of safety. Pregnancy-related point selection requires individualized assessment by a qualified clinician.