This post is part of an ongoing series on acupressure. If you’re jumping in the middle of this series, please check out our video giving a general introduction to acupressure and how to make these points work for you.
Today we’re going to be looking at some acupressure points that are good for chronic or sudden shoulder pain.
Small Intestine 12
Small Intestine 12 is right in the middle of the supraspinatus muscle. To find it, reach around behind with one arm to the opposite shoulder blade (like you’re patting yourself on the back). Find the ridge of the shoulder blade, and feel along that ridge to find the point halfway from either end. Then, roll onto the muscle body on top of the ridge, closer to the top of the shoulder, and you’ve found the point. This is a good point to press when raising the arm away from the body (abduction, in anatomy-speak).
Large Intestine 16
This is another good point and closer to the edge of the shoulder for when you’re having chronic shoulder pain that feels like it’s deep within the shoulder itself. Trace along the collar bone & ridge of the shoulder blade to the area at the edge of the shoulder where they come together. In the depression between these bones is Large Intestine 16. It is often quite tender.
Small Intestine 10
Small Intestine 10 is another great point for sudden or chronic shoulder pain that radiates into the arms or feels like it’s coming from lower in the shoulder blade. The point is one handspan above the crease of the shoulder (see the photo to help clarify this). To find it, bring the fingers of the hand opposite the affected shoulder together, and place that palm around the affected arm with the pinky finger placed just above the crease formed when the arm is held against the body. The point is level with the top of the forefinger, and directly above the shoulder crease.
Not certain if you have the correct location? Schedule your consultation today and we will show you the points that work for you!
