SI11 (Tianzong / Heavenly Gathering) Acupuncture Point Guide
Practitioner Guide from The Acupuncture Supply Co.
Professional acupuncture supplies and clinical reference material for qualified practitioners.
SI11 Tianzong is a scapular point, so the shoulder blade provides the most useful frame of reference. A description such as “the centre of the shoulder” is too vague. Its standard proportional relationship is to the scapular spine and inferior angle, both of which change orientation when the arm moves.
Practitioner only. This is an educational reference, not a self-needling guide.
SI11 Tianzong quick reference
| Point name | SI11 — Tianzong (Heavenly Gathering) |
|---|---|
| Channel | Small Intestine channel of Hand Taiyang |
| Classification | Local scapular point |
| Region | Infraspinous fossa of the scapula |
| Laterality | Bilateral |
| Core landmark | One-third of the way down a line from the midpoint of the scapular spine to the inferior angle. |
Location of SI11 Tianzong
With the shoulder relaxed and supported, palpate the scapular spine and locate its midpoint. Identify the inferior angle of the same scapula. SI11 lies in the depression about one-third of the way from the spine midpoint towards the inferior angle, within the infraspinous fossa. Use the scapula itself rather than a fixed height measured from the neck.
Landmark checks
- Identify the scapular spine, not the vertebral midline.
- Keep the point over the scapular body rather than medial to its border.
- Reassess the landmarks after moving the arm or changing treatment position.
Traditional functions of SI11
- Traditionally used to move Qi through the shoulder and scapular region.
- Associated with easing pain and restriction along the Small Intestine channel.
- Included in traditional strategies addressing the chest and lateral costal region.
These terms belong to traditional acupuncture theory. They should be distinguished from evidence about clinical outcomes.
Traditional clinical applications
The main traditional context is discomfort around the shoulder blade and posterior shoulder, sometimes extending into the arm. Assess neck movement, shoulder function and neurological symptoms rather than assuming all scapular pain is local muscle tension. A painful region is not automatically the anatomical point.
Common point combinations
- SI11 + SI3: a local-and-distal Small Intestine-channel pairing.
- SI11 + GB21: a regional shoulder pairing requiring separate assessment of the thoracic and pregnancy-related precautions at GB21.
These are traditional treatment-planning examples, not fixed prescriptions. Assess each point separately and select a combination only when it fits the full presentation and your training.
Anatomy and practitioner notes
The infraspinatus occupies the posterior scapula below its spine. The scapular borders define the limits of the bony surface; the thorax lies beyond and beneath this region. Muscle bulk, scapular position and previous surgery alter the assessment. Do not use the presence of the scapula as a reason to apply a generic deep technique.
Needling and essential safety
Confirm the scapular boundaries throughout treatment and avoid directing a needle beyond them towards the thorax. New chest pain or breathlessness after needling around the upper back needs urgent medical assessment because pneumothorax can present after treatment. Unexplained weakness, marked sensory loss or pain following significant trauma should be investigated.
Technique must follow individual anatomy and accredited training. Use sterile, single-use needles and suitable infection-control measures. Review health history, medicines, skin condition and consent before treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is SI11 halfway down the shoulder blade?
The WHO proportional description places it one-third of the way from the scapular spine midpoint towards the inferior angle, rather than halfway along that line.
Is the vertebral level alone enough to locate it?
No. A vertebral-level description can aid orientation, but the scapular landmarks are the more specific locating framework used here.
Is this a guide to self-needling?
No. Needling requires appropriate professional training, anatomical assessment and a safe clinical setting.
Continue exploring Project Lotus
Read the SI3 guide and GB21 guide, or browse all Acupuncture Point Guides.
For clinic supplies, browse our professional acupuncture needles and the wider Practitioner Guides.
Professional reference: Written for qualified acupuncture practitioners. Traditional functions and pairing examples describe a clinical tradition; they are not claims of proven efficacy for an individual point. The guide does not replace accredited training, diagnosis, informed consent or a patient-specific treatment plan. Surface illustrations cannot determine safe needle depth or direction.
References and further reading: eLotus CORE: Tianzong (SI11); WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations, 2008; revised reprint 2009; NCCIH: Acupuncture — Effectiveness and Safety; NHS: Complementary therapies and safety. Accessed 18 September 2026.
