Respiratory issues are a serious concern in their own right. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic cough or a severe asthma attack, difficulty in breathing can put everything else on pause.
In the United States, approximately 8.9 percent of adults live with asthma, which impacts their health, work, family routines, and the health care system. While inhalers and medications are crucial for management, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides additional methods to support respiratory health, including specific acupoints. One such point is Middle Shoulder Shu (Jian Zhong Shu, SI15), located at the base of the neck. This acupoint can help you and your loved ones breathe more easily.
A Classic Point With Practical Benefits
The Jian Zhong Shu point is first documented in the “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“The A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”) and has a long history of use for treating conditions related to the lungs and upper back. Although it is located near the shoulder blades, this point has a deep energetic connection to the thoracic cavity.In TCM theory, hot, humid qi (vital energy) rises from the chest cavity and reaches Jian Zhong Shu. When this qi becomes congested or accumulates excessive heat or humidity, it can lead to inflammation and disrupt smooth breathing. Jian Zhong Shu acts as a release valve for this congestion, helping to regulate the quality of qi, similar to what modern medicine describes as controlling inflammation.
Practitioners use this point to treat asthma, bronchitis, and persistent coughs. In more severe cases, it can also be used for hemoptysis (coughing up blood due to excessive heat in the lungs).
Additionally, because Jian Zhong Shu belongs to the Small Intestine meridian and is close to the muscles around the scapula and spine, it is commonly used to address tension in the upper back and neck.
How the Brain Reacts to Acupuncture at Jian Zhong Shu
Thanks to modern tools like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we’re beginning to understand how acupuncture affects symptoms and brain function. One study focused on patients with cervical-type cervical spondylosis, or neck arthritis—a condition involving both pain and emotional distress. The study patients received acupuncture at several points, including Jian Zhong Shu. After treatment, their pain scores dropped significantly.What’s more interesting is what happened inside the brain. fMRI scans showed that stimulating Jian Zhong Shu affected key regions of pain perception and emotion regulation, including the insula, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and ventral tegmental area. These areas influence how we perceive pain and manage emotional responses like anxiety.
How to Locate and Stimulate Jian Zhong Shu
To locate Jian Zhong Shu, begin at the base of your neck and identify the most prominent bony bump. From this vertebra, move outward about three finger widths until you reach a muscular depression near the upper corner of the scapula. This depression is your target. Pressing this point may initially feel slightly sore or tense, which is a good indication that you’ve found the right spot.How to Stimulate Jian Zhong Shu
- Firm pressure: Press down for three to five seconds, release for three seconds, and repeat for up to three minutes per side.
- Circular massage: Use your thumb or index finger to work in gentle circles over the area.
- Herbal patches: For passive stimulation, apply an herbal patch overnight.
- Advanced options: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy with dried mugwort) performed by a licensed TCM practitioner can provide deeper, longer-lasting results.
Precautions
Avoid stimulating Jian Zhong Shu if you have injuries or skin conditions in the area. If you’re using herbal patches, choose products made with natural ingredients to avoid irritation.Support Better Breathing
While breathing difficulties are physically uncomfortable—they’re also emotionally taxing. Straining to breathe can cause stress, sleepless nights, and a deep sense of helplessness. That’s why it’s so important to have multiple tools available to support recovery. Jian Zhong Shu is simple to locate, easy to activate, and doesn’t require expensive equipment or medications. If there’s a chance it can ease your breath—even just a little—it’s worth making part of your care toolbox.TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
