The heavenly meeting point of the shoulder. Tianliao (SJ-15) opens the San Jiao channel in the upper body, releases tension locked in the neck and shoulder, and connects the San Jiao Meridian with the Gall Bladder and Yang Wei Mai — a quiet but powerful junction point at the top of the back.
Contraindications
As with all points in the shoulder and upper back region, keep to the recommended depth and angle to avoid needling too deeply toward the underlying structures. No special contraindications are noted for this point beyond standard safe needling practice.
Name & story
The name 天髎 Tianliao means 'Heavenly Bone-Hole' — 'Tian' (天) for Heaven or the upper realm, and 'Liao' (髎) for a bony hollow or crevice. Together they paint a picture of a gap or depression found high up on the body, near the heavens. And indeed, the point lives in a small hollow just above the shoulder blade, up where the neck meets the back — a true 'hole in the sky'.
Point family & character
Tianliao (SJ-15) belongs to the San Jiao Meridian (SJ). It is a meeting point (crossing point) shared with the Gall Bladder Meridian (GB) and the Yang Wei Mai — the Linking Vessel that connects and governs all the Yang channels of the body. This triple crossing gives it a broader reach than most local shoulder points.
Five-element dynamics
The San Jiao Meridian belongs to the Fire element — the channel of transformation, warmth and the movement of Qi through the three burners of the body. SJ-15 sits at the very top of this channel's pathway through the shoulder, where Heaven Qi meets the body's Yang. As a meeting point with the Yang Wei Mai, it has a special role in coordinating the flow of Wei Qi along the surface of the body — helping to regulate the exterior and keep the Yang channels moving freely.
Location
Find the midpoint between Dazhui (GV-14) at the base of the neck and the tip of the acromion (the bony peak of the shoulder). SJ-15 sits in the small depression just above the superior angle of the scapula, roughly 1 Cun posterior to SJ-14 and 1 Cun superior to it. There is usually a palpable hollow there, especially when the shoulder is relaxed.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the trapezius muscle, in the fossa above the spine of the scapula.
Needling
The needle is inserted perpendicularly into the depression above the scapula.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Moxa and cupping are both well-suited to this point, especially when Cold or tension has settled into the shoulder and neck. Tui Na massage along the top of the trapezius muscle, working toward this point, can also be helpful as part of a home care or clinical routine.
The golden tip
The area around SJ-15 — the top of the shoulder just above the shoulder blade — is a classic spot for self-massage or asking a partner to apply firm, steady pressure. Find the hollow above the scapula, roughly midway between the base of the neck and the tip of the shoulder, and press or knead for 1–2 minutes on each side. Gentle warmth from a heat pack over this area can also ease the stiffness that builds up from long hours at a desk.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.