The main local points for each channel are:
- Large Intestine: L.I.-15 Jianyu, L.I.-14 Binao.
- Small Intestine: S.I.-9 Jianzhen, S.I.-10 Naoshu, S.I.-11 Tianzong, S.I.-12 Bingfeng,
S.I.-13 Quyuan, S.I.-14 Jianwaishu and S.I.-15 Jianzhongshu. Of these, the two most
frequently tender points are S.I.-11 and S.I.-13. - Triple Burner: T.B.-14 Jianliao, T.B.-13 Naohui, T.B.-15 Tianliao.
- Gall-Bladder: G.B.-21 Jianjing.
- Lung: LU-2 Yunmen.
- Heart: HE-1 Jiquan.
An important local extra point is Jianneiling which is situated half-way between the
acromio-clavicular articulation and the anterior axillary fold (Figure 23.8(461)). This point is
very effective when the main area of pain is in the front of the shoulder joint.
The warming needle can be used since this type of pain and stiffness is usually caused by a
combination of Wind, Dampness and Cold, with a predominance of Cold.
In my experience, the choice of local points needs to be guided not only by the involvement of
the channels, but also by Western anatomical considerations. In order to understand this we need
to look at the anatomy of the joints involved in shoulder pain. There are three joints in the
shoulder: the scapulo-humeral joint, the acromio-clavicular joint and the sterno-clavicular joint,
the first two being the most important ones in shoulder pain (Figure 23.9(462)).
The scapulo-humeral joint is the shoulder joint proper, i.e. the one that connects the scapula to
the arm: this is also the joint that is most involved in shoulder pain and limitation of movement
of the arm. Furthermore, the abduction, flexion and rotation of the arm, are all under the control
of the scapulo-humeral muscles. It follows that in order to affect the scapulo-humeral joint, it is
important to treat the muscles overlying the scapula: hence the importance of the points situated
over the scapula, i.e. S.I.-10 Naoshu, S.I.-11 Tianzong, S.I.-12 Bingfeng, S.I.-13 Quyuan and
T.B.-15 Tianliao. I find that in pain of the shoulder with limitation of movement, best results are
obtained if two or three of the above points are needled with moxa on the needle and that
needling only the points on the acromio-clavicular joint (such as L.I.-15 Jianyu and T.B.-14
Jianliao) is not enough: the reason for this is that the joint governing the movement of the arm is
not the acromio-clavicular joint but the scapulo-humeral one.