Atlas of Acupuncture

4.6 The Small Intestine Channel System – Hand taiyang(shou tai yang jing luo)

Location

On the scapula, in a depression on the infraspinatus muscle, one

third of the distance from the midpoint of the scapular spine and

the inferior angle of the scapula.

How to find

Patient’s position:Prone position or better seated with relaxed

shoulders. Draw an imaginary line from the midpoint of the scapu-

lar spine (➞3.3.1) to the inferior angle of the scapula. S.I.-11is

located at the junction of the upper and middle third of this line, in

a depression on the infraspinatus muscle, which is often sensitive

to pressure. In a seated or standing position with the arms hanging

down, it will generally be level with the spinous process of the 4th

thoracic vertebra or the body of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

➞S.I.-12is located directly above S.I.-11, in the centre of the

supraspinous fossa.

Needling

0.5–1.5 cun vertically or obliquely into the muscle tissue

Actions/Indications

● Opens the channel, alleviates pain, moves Qi locally, unbinds

the chest and lateral costal region

● Benefits the breasts

Special features

S.I.-11is often a trigger point on the infraspinatus muscle.

Heavenly Gathering TIANZONG S.I.-11

S.I.-11

Infraspinatus

1/2

1/3

2/3

1/2

Spinous process T4

Spinous process T5

Scapular

spine

Inferior angle

of the scapula

Spinous process C7

T.B.-12

T.B.-9

L.I.-7

L.I.-10

L.I. -11

L.I.-13

L.I-14

S.I.-9

T.B.-13

T.B.-14

S.I.-12

T.B.-10

S.I.-10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

S.I.-8

1/3

Spinous process C7 (Supraspinatus)

Spinous process T4 S.I.-11

S.I.-12

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