SI-14 - Outer Shoulder Shu

肩外俞 - Jiān wài shū

Point Region: Upper back

SI

Small Intestine Meridian

手太阳小肠经 - Shǒu Tàiyáng Xiǎochángjīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1), 3 cun out from the midline, straight above the inner end of the ridge of the shoulder blade. It is level with BL-11 and GV-13.

Distances are in cun, a unit that scales with each person's body. As a guide, the width of your thumb at its joint is 1 cun, and your four fingers held together, measured across the middle joints, are 3 cun.

How to Locate:

  1. Find the most prominent bump on the spine at the base of the neck (C7; it moves when you turn your head); the next bump down is T1
  2. Go to the level just below T1
  3. The point is four finger-widths out from the midline, above the inner end of the shoulder blade's ridge
SI-14 (Outer Shoulder Shu) acupressure point location: On the upper back, level with the lower edge of the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra (T1), 3 cun out from the midline, straight above the inner end of the ridge of the shoulder blade.

How to Apply Pressure

Once you have located SI-14, rest your fingertips against the upper back with steady, comfortable pressure, or skip it if reaching causes strain. Do not press after recent neck surgery, a cervical spine injury, or acute upper back trauma.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Stiff neck
  • Upper back pain
  • Shoulder tension
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder stiffness
  • Upper back stiffness

Related Health Concerns

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Recent neck surgery
  • Severe cervical spine injury
  • Acute upper back trauma