Frozen Shoulder Protocol: Use Shen Guan and Cha San First
By Cho, Byung Sik L.Ac
As summer heat fades and cool morning/evening air returns, shoulder pain tends to flare—and visits for frozen shoulder and cuff pain rise with it. When your usual approach stalls, consider Master Tung’s system. It’s straightforward to apply and often delivers rapid, satisfying relief, boosting patient confidence from the first session.
For reference, when using Master Tung’s points for this complaint, start with the first point listed, assess the patient’s response, and—if further treatment is needed—add the remaining points gradually in order.
The Default Start (works for most shoulder pain)
Begin with Shen Guan (Kidney Gate, 77.18) on the contralateral side. After gentle rotation/activation, if needed, apply Si Hua Shang (Four Flower Upper, 77.08), Si Hua Zhong (Four Flower Center, 77.09), Cha San (≈ SJ2), and Ling Gu (Spirit Bone, 22.05, ipsilateral).
- Yangming (LI) pattern? Try Si Hua Shang first.
- Frozen shoulder: early or 8–9 months respond best; months 3–4 are toughest. At minimum use Shen Guan (contra) + Cha San (ipsi), adding Si Hua Shang as needed.
By Pain Location
Posterior shoulder (back of joint)
-Shui Qu (Water Curve, 66.09), Jian Zhong (Shoulder Center, 44.06, contra), Ling Gu, Cha San (ipsi)
-Jian Zhong, Shen Guan, Shui Qu, Cha San (ipsi)
-Zu Wu Jin (Leg Thousand Metal, 77.24), Zu Wu Jin (Leg Five Metal, 77.25)
Anterior shoulder (front of joint)
Zhong Zi (Layer Water, 22.01), Zhong Xian (Layer Metal, 22.02), Shen Guan + Ling Gu (ipsi)
Global shoulder (deltoid/anterior chest/back/clavicle band)
Zhong Zi, Zhong Xian, Shen Guan
By Functional Limitation
Can lift up but not extend back: Zu Wu Jin, Zu Wu Jin + Shen Guan (add GB41 as needed)
Dorsal & Thoracolumbar Cross-Links
-One-sided back pain: Zhong Zi, Zhong Xian
-Bilateral/low-to-high back line (incl. near BL43): Zheng Shi (Restore Sinew Three, 77.03), Bo Qiu (Sinew Ball, 77.04) ± Tong Shen (Open Kidney, 88.09), SJ3, BL65; for chronic cases, prick to bleed the prominent superficial vein at the affected area.
-Rationale: Zheng Shi/Bo Qiu track the Bladder line (Lung–Urinary Bladder in mutual communication), extending effects to occiput, lumbosacral region, and sciatic distributions.
Scapular Patterns
-Focal scapular pain: Zhong Zi, Zhong Xian
-Along scapular border/“BL43” line/latissimus pattern: Zhong Zi, Zhong Xian, Wan Shun Yi (Wrist Smooth One, 22.08), Wan Shun Er (22.09), Shen Guan
-Medial rim up into neck along SI pathway: SI3, ST40
-Scapular pain with index-finger or elbow-crease soreness: Si Hua Zhong (ipsi)
Clinical Pointers
Open shoulder cases with Shen Guan—patients often feel a quick “unlock,” building trust for the rest of the set. Shui Qu works well for broad myofascial involvement.
Bonus: Neck–shoulder “GB line” with thoracic outlet feel
For stubborn neck/shoulder bands—especially with anterior chest tightness—consider Shui Qu + SJ5, then finish with Ma Jin Shui (Horse Metal Water, 1010.13) to reset the pattern.
