Many people avoid acupuncture out of fear of needles, but still want to activate the body’s energy system. That draws them to acupressure, which introduces a potential new problem: discomfort. Sensations can range from dull pain to intense, localized ache and may include tingling or soreness spreading beyond the point.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recognize that “blockage” can be the underlying cause. It’s tempting to quit, but those who persist notice the discomfort lessens over weeks of regular sessions. Today’s acupoint, Shoulder Bone (Jian Yu, LI15), is a great way to observe this process.
Why Jian Yu Is Prone to Blockages
Jian Yu was first documented in the “A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.” It belongs to the Large Intestine meridian and is a common site of blockages. Meridians work as rivers of qi, or vital energy, flowing through the body. The Large Intestine meridian makes a sharp 90-degree turn at Jian Yu, transitioning from a vertical to a horizontal orientation. As with any river, a sharp bend can collect debris. The same concept applies here. Jian Yu becomes a zone where energy slows and congestion can build.
Moreen Liao
R.Ph. of TCM (Taiwan)
Moreen was born into a family with a lineage of four generations of traditional Chinese medicine doctors and professors.
She was Dean of the Natural Therapies Institute in Sydney, Australia.
Drawing on her family heritage, she created a certified organic wellness brand, and co-founded the largest Chinese medical image encyclopedia online.
