Jianliao Point (TE-14 / Shoulder Bone Crevice)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Jianliao (TE-14 / Shoulder Bone Crevice). Learn its benefits for shoulder-arm pain, frozen shoulder, and intercostal neuralgia – the meeting point of Sanjiao, Yang Wei, and Yang Qiao – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Arm pain, shoulder heaviness with inability to raise the arm, hypochondriac pain, frozen shoulder, shoulder and back pain, stiff painful neck, and upper limb immobility.
Precise Location
On the shoulder, in the depression posterior and inferior to the acromion (lateral end of the shoulder peak) when the arm is abducted.
Location Method
Stand with both arms extended and abducted – there is a depression posterior and inferior to the acromion; Jianliao is located in this depression.
Massage Method
Use the left hand to palpate the right shoulder and the right hand for the left shoulder – pinch and knead the point with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Apply to both sides once each morning and evening for 3–5 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Dispels wind-dampness, unblocks the meridians, benefits the shoulder and arm, and relieves pain.
Compatibility
Intercostal neuralgia: Combine with Waiguan (TE-5), Zhangmen (LR-13), and Jianliao (TE-14). Disease overview: Intercostal neuralgia is persistent pain in one or several intercostal areas with paroxysmal exacerbation – primary cases are rare; secondary cases are often related to viral infection, toxin stimulation, mechanical injury, or foreign body compression. Massage sequence: First massage Waiguan for 1 minute, then massage Zhangmen for 2 minutes, finally massage Jianliao for 3 minutes. Shoulder-arm pain: Combine with Quchi (LI-11). Frozen shoulder: Combine with Hegu (LI-4), Jingqu (LU-8), Zhongfu (LU-1), Neiguan (PC-6), Houxi (SI-3), and Jianliao (TE-14). Shoulder and back pain: Combine with Tianzong (SI-11), Quyuan (SI-13), and Jianliao (TE-14). Shoulder-arm pain and upper limb immobility: Combine with Jianyu (LI-15), Binao (LI-14), and Quchi (LI-11). Stiff painful neck: Combine with Fengchi (GB-20), Tianzhu (BL-10), and Houxi (SI-3).
Efficacy & Actions
Modern office workers who spend years sitting at desks without adequate exercise often suffer from various degrees of shoulder arthritis, frozen shoulder, and even cervical osteophytes. Massaging Jianliao is an excellent method to help those with different shoulder conditions from prolonged desk work find relief and improvement. This point belongs to the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian and is the meeting point of the Sanjiao Meridian, the Yang Wei Vessel, and the Yang Qiao Vessel. It dispels wind-dampness, unblocks the meridians, benefits the shoulder and arm, and relieves pain. It is a key point for treating shoulder and arm disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Jian" refers to the shoulder; "Liao" means bone crevice or gap. Located in the bony gap of the shoulder – hence the name Jianliao (Shoulder Bone Crevice).
