The great bone point of the shoulder. Jugu (LI-16) sits at the very top of the shoulder where two bones meet, and its main gift is simple and direct: it opens blocked Qi, eases pain, and frees movement in the shoulder and arm — a sturdy, reliable local point for one of the body's most-used joints.
Name & story
The name 巨骨 Jugu means "Great Bone" — and it earns that name honestly. It sits right in the hollow formed where two prominent bones of the shoulder meet: the clavicle (collar bone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). In classical Chinese anatomy, these were considered great and weighty structures holding up the arm and anchoring it to the body. The point takes its whole character from that geography — solid, structural, and deeply connected to the bones and joints of the upper body.
Point family & character
Jugu (LI-16) belongs to the Large Intestine Meridian (LI). It is a meeting point — a crossing point shared between the Large Intestine Meridian (LI) and the Yang Motility Vessel (Yangqiao Mai), which gives it an expanded reach beyond the local area.
Five-element dynamics
The Large Intestine Meridian (LI) belongs to the Metal element and runs its course from the fingertip of the index finger all the way up the arm, over the shoulder, and onward to the face. LI-16 sits near the very top of that long ascent — at the shoulder — just before the channel crosses inward toward the neck and head. As a Metal channel point, it carries the Metal quality of descending and dispersing, cutting through obstruction and letting things move again. When Wind, Cold, or Phlegm lodge in the shoulder joint and freeze it in place, Jugu helps restore the free passage of Qi and Blood (Xue) through this critical crossroads.
Location
Find the bony prominence at the very top of the shoulder — the acromion. Then feel for the ridge of the scapula running toward the spine. Jugu (LI-16) sits in the depression between the clavicle and the scapular spine, just above and slightly behind LI-15 (Jianyu). It is easy to locate by pressing gently into that hollow at the peak of the shoulder.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the hollow (depression) formed between the acromial end of the clavicle and the spine of the scapula — at the top of the shoulder.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly or slightly obliquely, directed downward into the hollow between the two bones.
Safe depth
0.5–1 Cun.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Moxa is suitable here, particularly when Cold or Cold-Dampness has settled into the shoulder joint, causing stiffness and dull aching pain that worsens in cold weather. Cupping over the shoulder region is another popular complement. Tui Na (Chinese therapeutic massage) and acupressure are also useful for home maintenance between treatments.
Functions
Opens the channel and frees the joints; Moves Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis in the shoulder; Dispels Wind, Cold and Dampness from the shoulder and arm; Resolves Phlegm and softens accumulations; Supports the bones and sinews of the shoulder girdle.
Indications
Shoulder pain and restricted movement of the shoulder joint — especially pain that is fixed, stabbing, or has been present for a long time (signs of Blood Stasis). Inability to raise the arm. Pain along the upper arm. Scrofula (lymph node swellings in the neck and shoulder region). Goitre and neck masses. Spitting of blood.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
The shoulder, in Chinese medicine, is a place where we carry our burdens — and when the shoulder freezes or aches, it often reflects years of tension, holding on, and not letting go. The Metal element, of which the Large Intestine Meridian (LI) is a part, governs the ability to release: to let go of what no longer serves. When the shoulder locks, that quality of release has been lost in the body. By freeing the joint and restoring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood (Xue), Jugu can be part of a broader process — physical and sometimes emotional — of releasing old holding patterns and allowing the body to move freely again.
Point combinations
With LI-15 (Jianyu) — the natural partner just below, together forming the primary local combination for shoulder pain and restricted movement. With TB-14 (Jianliao) — for shoulder pain and inability to raise the arm, surrounding the joint from different angles. With SI-9 and SI-10 — to further open the shoulder joint from the posterior aspect.
Clinical spotlight
What makes Jugu (LI-16) clinically interesting is its dual nature: it is at once a strong local point for the shoulder joint and a point on the Yang Motility Vessel (Yangqiao Mai), which governs the Yang aspect of movement and motility in the body. This crossing gives it a slightly broader influence than a simple local point. Classically it was also listed for goitre and scrofula — accumulations of Phlegm in the neck — reflecting the Large Intestine Meridian's (LI) ability to move and resolve Phlegm nodules along its pathway. For chronic, stubborn shoulder conditions — especially those with a Blood Stasis picture (fixed pain, worse at night, long duration) — Jugu is a valuable addition to the local treatment strategy.
The golden tip
If you are dealing with shoulder stiffness or aching at the top of the shoulder, you can find LI-16 by pressing into the hollow at the very peak of the shoulder, between the collar bone and the ridge of the shoulder blade. Gentle circular massage or firm pressure here for 1–2 minutes can help ease local tension. In cold-weather shoulder aching, applying gentle warmth — a warm pack or a few minutes with a moxa stick held at a comfortable distance — can bring noticeable relief. This is best used alongside professional treatment for persistent shoulder problems.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.