We don’t think twice about reaching for a cup, brushing our hair, or putting on a jacket—until our shoulders stop cooperating. Everyday actions rely on full shoulder mobility, and research shows even minor limitations can disrupt essential tasks like eating or personal care.
While many chalk up shoulder problems to aging, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a more optimistic view: Stiffness and pain aren’t inevitable. Regular stimulation of the acupoint True Shoulder (Jian Zhen, SI9) below your shoulder joint can help you support shoulder function well into your later years.
Jian Zhen in the TCM System: Powerhouse for Shoulder Health
First mentioned in the classic text “Su Wen” (“Basic Questions”), specifically in the chapter on qi and blood, Jian Zhen plays a crucial role in acupuncture for enhancing upper body mobility. Jian Zhen is located on the Small Intestine meridian, an energy pathway that runs from the pinky finger up to the head. At Jian Zhen, qi moves upward and spreads throughout the shoulder region. This makes it particularly effective in treating both localized pain and systemic disruptions.
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.
