Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

SJ-15 Tianliao - Heavenly Bone

More Spirit Names: Heavenly Crevice, Celestial Bone Hole, Celestial Hearing

English: Heavenly Crevice
Also Known As: Heaven's Seam
Heavenly Foramen
Heavenly Bone

Location

  • Midway between GB-21 Jianjing and SI-13 Quyuan above the shoulder blade.
  • In the supraclavicular fossa, in the depression midway between GB-21 Jianjing and SI-13 Quyuan at the medial end of the suprascapular fossa.
  • Midway between the lateral extremity of the acromion and DU-14 Dazhui, and 1 cun posterior to GB-21 Jianjing (the highest point on the trapezius muscle).
  • Midway between GB-21 Jianjing and SI-13 Quyuan on the superior angle of the scapula.

Needling

  • Straight insertion towards the spine of the scapula 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Oblique insertion directed according to the clinical manifestations, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Caution: perpendicular insertion, especially in thin patients, carries a substantial risk of inducing a pneumothorax.
  • Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 1 cun,
  • Moxibustion is applicable.

Command Functions

  • Meeting point of the Yang Wei and Gall Bladder channels

Actions

  • Dispels Wind-Damp
  • Activates the channel
  • Alleviates pain
  • Unbinds the chest
  • Regulates Qi

Indications

  • Inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon
  • Pain or soreness in the region of the scapula and back of the neck
  • Fever
  • Heat and fullness of the chest
  • Heat in the body with absence of sweating
  • Chills and fever
  • Pain and weakness of the arm
  • Absence of perspiration
  • Pain of the shoulder and arm
  • Stiffness and pain of the neck
  • Tension of the nape of the neck
  • Pain in the supraclavicular fossa
  • Agitation and oppression of the chest
  • Oppression of the Heart with absence of sweating
  • Febrile disease
  • Pain in the lower subclavicular area
  • Pain in the shoulder and elbow

Combinations

LI-11
Quchi

Pain and heaviness of the shoulder with inability to raise the arm

Contraindications

Notes

  • This is an important point for shoulder pain.

Five Elements Spirit Perspective

Spirit of the Point

What SI-11 does for the Small Intestine, this point does in a similar way for the Three Heater. Its work is more with the spirit than with body and mind alone. This Official spends its time sending heat or cold out to every other Official to keep body, mind and spirit in harmony, and this point reaches directly into the Three Heater's spirit, making it stronger, more resilient and robust. It carries warmth to the spirit of every Official and cleanses them with an inner purity. A connection to heavenly realities that gives spiritual strength and supports a sense of spiritual uprightness and integrity.

Worsley

Under divine guidance, it gives us the mandate to put all our might into our earthly tasks.

  • Worsley gives it as a First Aid point for colds.

Location: On the back of the shoulder above the scapula, halfway from the C7 spinous process to the acromion tip, in a line with GB-21 and SI-13.
Needle depth: 3-8 fen
Moxa: 5-7 cones

When to Consider
  • When a person feels weak in spirit and disconnected from themselves
  • When someone cannot hear what is being said to them, or cannot listen to their own spirit and destiny
  • When Heat and anger are stuck around the neck and the person needs to move through them to a clearer view and purpose
  • When Fire is fragile, unsteady and easily hurt
Combinations
  • SI-11 Heavenly Ancestor with SJ-15: can produce a dramatic transformation
  • PC-4 Gate of Qi Reserve with SJ-15: when Fire is fragile, unsteady and easily hurt
Notes
  • Brightens the spirit and also stabilizes

From Class

  • Li Shizhen's Yang Wei trajectory as five-element genetic modulation: Li Shizhen built Yang Wei from BL-63, GB-35, GB-39, SJ-13, SJ-15, SI-10, LI-14 and GB-21, looping to GB-13 Benshen to change the marrow/brain. (Yuen)

Mentioned in 22 other entries

Conditions (11)

Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint DiseaseCervical SpondylosisElbow PainFibromyalgiaNeck Pain, Stiffness and TensionPain, JointPainful Obstruction, Bi SyndromePanarthralgiaPostpartum Body PainRheumatoid ArthritisScapulohumeral Periarthritis, Periarthritis of the Shoulder

Points (11)

GB-13 BenshenGB-21 JianjingGB-35 YangjiaoGB-39 Xuanzhong (Juegu)LI-11 QuchiLI-14 BinaoSI-10 NaoshuSI-13 QuyuanSJ-13 NaohuiSJ-23 SizhukongUB-63 Jinmen

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.