"Shui" (水), water or current; "dao" (道), road or channel. The point has the function of regulating and unblocking water pathways. As stated in Tongren Shuxue Zhenjiu Tujing, it treats: "cold in bladder, heat accumulation in triple energier, and difficulty in urination." Hence, the name.

bubble_chart Location

Shuidao (ST28) acupoint
(quoted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Three cun below Daju (ST27)", with Daju likely a misprint for Tianshu;
• Xunjing Kaoxue Bian: "1 cun below Daju (ST27)";
• Zhenjiu Fengyuan: "Level with Wushu (GB27) of foot shaoyang meridian, 3 cun lateral to the umbilicus."
• Donggong Anmo Mijue: "2 cun lateral to Guanyuan (CV4) on both sides."

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: Rectus abdominis and its sheath.
• Nerve: Twelfth intercostal nerve.
• Vessels: twelfth intercostal artery and vein branches, with the lateral side being inferior epigastric artery and vein.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Perpendicular or oblique insertion 1～1.5 cun. Moxibustion with moxa cone 5 ~ 7 rounds, moxibustion with moxa stick 10 ~ 20 minutes.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Promote urination, disperse distension, regulate menstruation.

• Classical: small abdominal distension and fullness, inguinal hernia, coldness in the bladder, heat accumulation in triple energizer, difficulty in urination, pain radiating to genital, back and lumbar pains during menstruation, cold at lower abdomen radiating to knees and thighs, stiff spine.
• Modern: nephritis, cystitis, urinary retention, ascites, orchitis.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Stiff spine: Shuidao (ST28), Jinsuo (GV8).