Extra Point Daijianzhen: An Excellent Shoulder Acupuncture Point

Fig.1 . Extra point daijianzhen is located under the inferior border of clavicle.

This incredible shoulder acupuncture point has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for conditions of acute injury and cold (han) bi syndromes. Briefly examining its anatomy sheds light on the usefulness of this extra point because it’s location and access to many  structures involved in shoulder pain and dysfunction.

Daijianzhen is located in the depression directly under the edge of the clavicle approximately halfway between LU 2 (yunmen) and LI 15 (jianyu). This depression is located just lateral to the bicipital long head tendon. (Fig. 1)

There are numerous pain-generating tissues that can be needled from this point and are discussed in the Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification program. For example: From daijianzhen, when the needle is angled medially it can affect the coracoclavicular ligament; when angled laterally can affect the coracoacromial ligament; when angled toward SI 10 can affect the supraspinatus musculotendinous junction; (tendinopathy and torn tissue) when angled inferior to SI 10 affects the rotator cuff interval (adhesive capsulitis) and lastly, when the needle is angled under LI 16 affects where the bicipital long head tendon inserts into the superior aspect of the glenoid labrum and wh ere pain can be palpated due to a common SLAP lesion.

Glenoid Superior Labrum Needle Technique

This technique is best used when there is an injury to the superior labrum and pain at extra point daijianzhen. O’Brien’s test is a good exam for suspecting a SLAP lesion and it helps differentiate from other causes of pain in this region.

Fig.2 . Superior view of need angle from daijianzhen toward the superior labrum which is usually located deep to L1 16.

Insert a 1.5 inch/40 mm needle from daijianzhen under the clavicle and directed deep to LI 16 (jugu). The intention is to have the needle directed to the most common location of superior and anterior labral tears at the insertion site of the bicipital long head tendon. (Fig. 2).

Check out this video of using acupuncture to extra point daijianzhen that improved range of motion and decreased pain during a downward dog yoga position.