P. Sze 
The moment our body begins to feel even the slightest hint of pain or discomfort, our natural instinct is to reach for the source in support. In this article, I am sharing the most popular acupressure points for shoulder blade pain that can easily be stimulated without the help of a medical professional.
Founded well over 2,000 years ago, acupressure has become a sought-after self-healing technique to help relieve pain, fatigue and even treat some illnesses, including anxiety, depression, and migraines, to name a few. As this traditional medicine advanced over the years, new developments arose, including aiding several parts of the human body. This includes anything from shoulder pain, neck pain, blood circulation, and much more.
For instance, by stimulating the pressure point GB 21, also known as Jianjing, you can effectively alleviate shoulder and back pain, as well as stomachaches, to say the least. During a study supporting chronic cholecystitis patients, doctors concluded that this particular pressure point is excellent for regulating the volume of deflation and expansion in the gallbladder.
Now that is pretty impressive if I do say so myself! With that said, let’s dive into the four acupressure points that will help you rid of muscle tension and that pesky, persistent pain in the shoulders.
Does Acupuncture Help With Shoulder Blade Pain?
Often at times, I will find myself experiencing brief shoulder pain, which has only encouraged me to continue my search for pressure points for shoulder blade pain. During my research efforts, I came across another study demonstrating the efficacy of acupuncture in treatment for Frozen Shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis.
Frozen Shoulder is a condition that causes sudden stiffness and shoulder pain in the joints. The study displayed promising results indicating that acupuncture treatment is a safe and beneficial form of restoring shoulder function and relieving pain.
When you are ready to practice these acupressure points for shoulder blade pain, ensure that you are relaxed and comfortable. Most of these pressure points can be stimulated with your hands or a friend or family member. To experience the most relief, you will need to massage the acupressure points for at least a few seconds with anywhere between five to thirty seconds.
Keep in mind that some areas of the human body may be more sensitive than others. Additional tools that can help with the treatment include household items such as the handle of an umbrella, a tennis ball, or anything else that has a rounded point.
Acupressure Points For Shoulder Blade Pain
Acupoint: Bl-43 (Other Names: Urinary Bladder-43/Gao Huang Shu/Vital Region Shu)
Also referred to as the urinary bladder-43, pressure point BI-43 is one of the best acupressure points for upper back pain. Using your hand, place it palm-facing down on the upper back, between the shoulder blades, with your pinky lined up vertically at the center. At just four fingers width from the pinky finger, you’ll find the pressure point BI-43. Not to mention, BI-43 can also help with lung issues and weight loss.
Acupoint: GB-21 (Other Names: Gallbladder-21/Jian Jing/Shoulder Well)
In addition to alleviating shoulder pain, GB-21 happens to be one of the effective acupressure points for fibromyalgia. This pressure point sits about halfway between the tip of your shoulder and the center of your upper back. To stimulate this pressure point, press downward and massage for at least five seconds.
You might notice almost immediate relief from neck pains and dizziness. GB-21 can also be a great way to help reduce headaches and aid in pregnancy by improving lactation and labor.
Acupoint: SI-14 (Other Names: Small Intestine-14/Jian Wai Shu/Outer Shoulder Transporter)
Similar to pressure point GB-21, SI-14 sits at the upper corner of the shoulder blades outward approximately four fingers from the 7th cervical vertebra. To locate this pressure point, place your hand palms-facing down with the pinky aligned at the center of your back. You’ll find the pressure point about four fingers width between the center of the back and tip of the shoulder.
The SI-14, also known as small intestine-14, is one of the most popular acupressure points for shoulder and arm pain and neck pain. Once you have a graph on SI-14, grab the shoulder using your other hand and use the pad of the middle finger and ring finger to stimulate for three to four seconds.
For instance, you can use the handle of an umbrella to stimulate it. You will need to apply pressure at a level you are comfortable with for maximum benefits.
Acupoint: SI-12 (Other Names: Small Intestine-12/Bing Feng/Grasping the Wind)
Pressure point SI-12 is helpful with shoulder functionality and can be located in the depression side of the scapular spine when the arm is lifted. The scapular region sits about two to three finger widths from the top of the shoulder, approximately halfway between the shoulder tip and center of the back.
Pressure point SI-12 helps alleviate pain in the shoulders in addition to reliving any numbness. It has become a popular acupuncture point for overall muscle pain around the scapula, typically caused by a cold.
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