Small Intestine
SI11
天宗 · Tianzong
Celestial Gathering
Center of the shoulder blade for that deep scapular ache.
Local scapular point
Use caution
System
- Channel
- Small Intestine (SI)
- Element
- Fire
- Yin or yang
- yang
- Organ system
- Small Intestine
- Region
- Back
- Limb rule
- Hand Taiyang
Where it is
In the middle of the shoulder blade, in the soft infraspinatus fossa — a third of the way down from the spine of the scapula.
Nearby: Shoulder-blade muscle over the ribs. Hard downward pressure is not the idea; the lung is inside the rib cage.
Traditionally said to
A favorite local point for an aching shoulder blade. Older texts also mention chest and breast discomfort as channel symptoms.
What people look up
Acupressure
If you can reach it, use a thumb or knuckle for 45–90 seconds. A ball against a wall is gentler than digging. Stop if it takes your breath.
When not to press: Do not have someone lean full weight onto the shoulder blade.
About 30–90 seconds is the usual window, unless the step above is shorter. Stop if pain, dizziness, or anything unusual shows up.
Licensed practice only
Needle depth, angle, electroacupuncture
Textbook language for students. Not instructions. A cun is a body-inch on that person, not a ruler inch. Do not needle yourself.
Depth
Common textbook range: about 0.5–1 cun perpendicular or oblique. Too deep toward the chest risks the lung.
Angle
Perpendicular or oblique into the infraspinatus, not through the rib space.
Electroacupuncture
Introductory charts rarely assign a standard electroacupuncture setting here. Clinics that use current choose frequency and intensity for that person. No milliamp figure is given, because copying one would be misleading.
Nearby on this channel
True Shoulder
Back of the shoulder, just above the armpit crease.
Listening Palace
The hollow in front of the ear, found with the mouth soft and open.
Use caution
Small Sea
Elbow groove point. Easy to overdo because of the nerve.
Use caution
Support the Aged
Wrist cleft that opens when the palm turns inward.
Herbs often paired for a similar pattern
A study link, not a formula and not a dose.
Tags
tianzong · scapula · shoulder blade