GB 21 Acupuncture Point

• English Name: Shoulder Well
• Pinyin Name: Jian Jing
• Chinese Character: 肩井

GB 21 Clinical Usages

• Local point for occipital headache, tight trapezius muscles and/or neck/shoulder pain.
• Phlegm related issues of the head and neck - embolic stroke, neck lumps, swollen lymph nodes, tumors.
• Phlegm related issues of the breast and chest - mastitis, breast abscess, asthma, dyspnea.
• Stongly influence Qi downward - useful for rebellious Qi, cough.
• Contraindicated in Pregnancy, useful for difficult labor, retained placenta.
• Gao Wu felt that balancing GB 21's strong descending action with ST 36's strong centering action is important.
• Tong Ren/Tam Healing System: Release the neck and shoulders and descend energy.

Primary Contraindications:

• Pregnancy

Please note that for many contraindications there are clinically valid reasons to use these points even when they are technically contraindicated.

• Blog Posts Where GB 21 Is Discussed

•   Motor Points Acupuncture - An Efficient Way Of Treating Muscle Imbalances
•   Study Finds Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Tinnitus
•   Head, Scalp and Shoulder Acupressure Points
•   Acupressure at SP 6 or GB 21 Decreases Anxiety and Increases Maternal Attachment

• Blog Posts Concerning Acupuncture

•   Moxibustion More Effective Than Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue (Study)
•   Study Finds Acupuncture Equal in Effectiveness to Ambien (Zolpidem) For Insomnia
•   How LI 11 and ST 37 Acupuncture Points Alleviate Constipation
•   Tinnitus Treatment - Back Acupuncture with Tuina Found More Effective Than Standard Acupuncture
•   Acupuncture Treatment Helpful for Trigeminal Neuralgia
•   Why Does Acupuncture Help Depression? - Researchers Find It Regulates Zinc and Copper Levels

GB 21 Acupuncture Point Associations

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