ACUPUNCTURE
Shui Fen: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Shui Fen (Shuifen)
Location
On the midline of the abdomen, 1 cun superior to the umbilicus.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun.
- Perpendicular insertion, 0.8 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: in thin patients deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity.
- Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Reunion point of the REN and Lung channels
Actions
- Regulates the Spleen, Stomach and Small Intestines
- Warms Cold
- Regulates the water pathways
- Resolves Dampness
- Promotes the transformation of fluids
- Treats edema
- Harmonizes the Intestines
- Dispels accumulation
Indications
- Nephritis
- Ascites
- Edema
- Anorexia
- Borborygmus
- Abdominal pain
- Coldness and swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Ring of pain around the umbilicus
- Drum distention
- Stomach and Intestines distended due to Cold or Deficiency
- Umbilical pains which affect the Heart
- Hernia
- Enteritis
- Stiffness and contraction of the renal region and vertebral column
- Rectal prolapse
- Epistaxis
- Water diseases
- Vomiting after eating
- Abdomen swollen and hard
- Failure of the fontanelle to close
- Tetany
- Periumbilical Cold
- Periumbilical pain
- Diarrhea
- Urinary retention
- Dysuria
- Lower back pain
- Palpitations
- Edema in the lower extremities
- Dilation of the Stomach
- Abdominal spasms
- Tympanites
- Cholera
- Sudden epistaxis
- Chronic lesions of the Intestines
- Sudden subsidence of the anterior fontanelle in children
- Cramps
- Depressed fontanelle
- No pleasure in eating
- Acid regurgitation
- Sudden turmoil disorder with cramps
- Periumbilical pain rushing up to the Heart causing difficulty breathing
- Contracted sinews
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| KI-7 Fuliu | Edema |
| SP-9 Yinlingquan | Edema around the umbilical region |
| REN-11 Jianli | Edema of the abdomen with drum-like distention |
| REN-5 Shimen | Spasmodic pain of the hypogastrium |
| REN-8 Shenque, REN-6 Qihai | Periumbilical pain |
| REN-8 Shenque, LIV-4 Zhongfeng | Periumbilical pain |
| LIV-4 Zhongfeng, LIV-8 Ququan | Pain of the umbilical region |
| SP-8 Diji, SP-9 Yinlingquan, KI-21 Youmen, UB-27 Xiaochangshu | No pleasure in eating |
Contraindications
Contraindicated to needle for those with ascites. Contraindicated for moxibustion during pregnancy; some say this point should not be needled, just warmed with moxibustion.
Notes
A very important point to use whenever there is Dampness, phlegm or edema, and when the Bladder and Kidneys cannot be harmonized. Good for all Internal secretions and for the fluidity of mind and limbs. It balances the endocrine and lymphatic systems. This is the main water control point in the body, located just above where the Small Intestine separates the pure from the turbid.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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