This point is located on the highest point of the trapezius or shoulder muscle, directly above the nipple, at the midpoint of the line connecting C7 and the acromion. It’s the point you intuitively massage when you’re stressed and sore.
GB21 is the crossing point of the gallbladder, triple warmer and stomach meridians with the yang Wei vessel. It activates the GB meridian and descends qi. It resolves phlegm from the head, neck, chest and breasts. It also promotes labour.
How does this translate?
On the physical level GB21 helps with headaches, tight traps, and rigidity and pain of the neck. It helps with limited range of motion in the arms and pain in the shoulders. It can help with dizziness, especially when used with GB20. It can help with neck lumps, swollen lymphnodes and tumours. It can help with mastitis and brest accesses. GB21 can help with asthma and cough. It is contraindicated with pregnancy, but that means it can help with difficult labour and retained placenta. When the pregnancy is over this point can help with insufficient lactation.
This is a point where the physical symptoms can be directly translated to the emotional. For example, when there’s a feeling that everything is too much and you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, use this point. When the anger, frustration and resentment stop you from being able to see clearly, using this point can help you to see a new perspective. When the range of motion in the shoulders is reduced so is the ability to take action. Getting the arms moving can help you to move forward with those decisions that have seemed too hard. The liver is in charge of planning and strategy where the gallbladder is in control of carrying out those plans. It’s important to have a smooth flow of energy through this point to allow for these actions to take place.
To feel the full benefits these points have to offer press on either of them while inhaling and release while exhaling. Do this for 3 minutes on each side a few times a week. You’ll be glad you did!
**This point is contraindicated during pregnancy. Please avoid using it if you are pregnant**
Aysha Nuttall, RAc, INHC
When the tension in your life is creating boulders on your shoulders, take your bucket to the shoulder well.
– John Kirkwood from Five Element Acupressure