ACUPUNCTURE
Ju Gu: TCM Acupoint Guide
JUGU
Name
Ju Gu (Jugu)
Location
On the upper aspect of the shoulder, in the depression medial to the acromion process and between the lateral extremity of the clavicle and the scapular spine, about 1 cun medial to the acromioclavicular joint.
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Caution: deep medial insertion carries a substantial risk of causing a pneumothorax, particularly in thin patients.
- Straight insertion, slanted slightly toward the outside, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness around the shoulder joint.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.5 to 0.7 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Meeting point with the Yang Qiao channel
Actions
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Benefits the shoulder joint
- Regulates Qi and Blood
- Invigorates Blood locally
- Dissipates Phlegm nodules
- Disperses congealed Blood
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Opens the chest
- Descends rebellious Qi
- Stimulates the descending function of Lung Qi
Indications
- Pain of the shoulder and back
- Blood Stasis in the shoulder
- Difficulty in moving or raising the upper arm
- Scrofula
- Spitting Blood
- Asthma
- Childhood nutritional impairment
- Brachial neuralgia
- Pain and motor impairment of the upper extremities
- Fright epilepsy
- Vomiting of copious quantities of Blood
- Blood Stasis in the chest
- Goiter
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Bi Syndrome of the shoulder
- Pain in the shoulder, back, elbow and arm with inability to flex or extend the arm
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| SI-2 Qiangu | Inability to raise the arm |
| SJ-16 Tianyou, ST-12 Quepen, DU-11 Shendao, UB-11 Dazhu, REN-22 Tiantu, ST-28 Shuidao | Pain of the shoulder and back |
| SJ-14 joined to HT-1 Jianliao joined to Jiquan, GB-34 Yanglingquan | Perifocal inflammation of the shoulder joint |
| LU-6 Kongzui, LU-5 Chize, LU-10 Yuji | Hemoptysis |
| LI-15 Jianyu | Shoulder joint problems |
Notes
This point is particularly emphasized when the shoulder disorder is chronic and recalcitrant.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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