Shuidao (ST28)
Shuidao (ST28), “Waterway”, is a point on the Stomach meridian. It is point 28 of the 45 on the channel. Opens the water passages, drains oedema and benefits the uterus and bladder.
Location
On the lower abdomen, 3 cun below the umbilicus, 2 cun lateral to the anterior median line.
Functions according to tradition
Opens the water passages, drains oedema and benefits the uterus and bladder.
Traditional indications
- Urinary retention
- Oedema
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Lower abdominal pain
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
Precautions
No specific precautions are described beyond the general ones for acupuncture. Needling must always be performed by a trained professional.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- CV5 Shimen (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Lower abdominal pain, Oedema, Urinary retention
- BL39 Weiyang (Bladder): Oedema, Urinary retention
- CV9 Shuifen (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Oedema, Urinary retention
- CV2 Qugu (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Dysmenorrhoea, Urinary retention
- KI11 Henggu (Kidney): Lower abdominal pain, Urinary retention
- BL22 Sanjiaoshu (Bladder): Oedema
Point profile
- Code
- ST28
- Pinyin name
- Shuǐ Dào
- Characters
- 水道
- Translation
- Waterway
- Meridian
- Stomach
- Element
- Earth
- Topics
- Oedema, Urination, Uterus
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
