Shuigou 水溝
On the face, halfway down the vertical groove of the philtrum.
Open the 3D Acupoint Map →
🖼See it in pictures
Location and structures come from our 3D model; only the drawing style was refined with AI. Labels are added by us.
Orbicularis oris muscle · Maxilla · Depressor septi nasi · Orbicularis oris muscle · Maxilla · Depressor septi nasi
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Shuigou.
On this page
1Where is Shuigou?
On the face, halfway down the vertical groove of the philtrum.
This is the WHO 2008 main location.
Orbicularis oris muscle · Maxilla · Depressor septi nasi · Orbicularis oris muscle · Maxilla · Depressor septi nasi
2How do I find it on my body?
- Look at the philtrum groove from just under the nose (nasal column) down to the red border of the upper lip.
- Take the halfway point of that length.
- Press on the centre line of the groove.
- depressor septi nasi
- A small muscle running from the maxilla above the upper front teeth to the base of the column between the nostrils. It pulls the tip of the nose down.
- orbicularis oris
- The ring of muscle inside the lips around the mouth. It closes and purses the lips, as when whistling.
3Before you press
- Facial skin is thin, so press lightly with a fingertip and do not dig in with a nail.
- If someone has collapsed and is unresponsive, call emergency services and start first aid; acupressure is not the priority.
- Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level.
- Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
4How has it been used traditionally?
- The Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (vol. 3) classifies it as a meeting point of the Governor Vessel with the Hand and Foot Yangming channels — a historical classification, not a claim of effect.
- It is one of the six points for which WHO (2008) records an alternative location.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
5Alternative location
On the same groove, one third of the way down from the base of the nose. This is higher than the main location (WHO 2008 Remarks).
Chinese standard (2021) differs · China's 2021 standard uses the point one third of the way down the philtrum as the main location. This is the same spot as the WHO alternative location.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Shuigou?
On the face, halfway down the vertical groove of the philtrum. This is the WHO 2008 main location.
How do I find Shuigou?
Look at the philtrum groove from just under the nose (nasal column) down to the red border of the upper lip. Take the halfway point of that length. Press on the centre line of the groove.
What should I watch out for?
Facial skin is thin, so press lightly with a fingertip and do not dig in with a nail. If someone has collapsed and is unresponsive, call emergency services and start first aid; acupressure is not the priority. Avoid broken or swollen skin and press only to a comfortable level. Acupressure is not a substitute for medical care.
Sources
- Location: WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (2008), p. 216
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Classification source: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing vol. 3
- Safety: CCAOM Clean Needle Technique Manual, 7th ed. (rev. 2024), p. 94
- 3D: computed on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS
Positions computed from the WHO standard locations (2008) on Z-Anatomy (CC BY-SA 4.0) · BodyParts3D © DBCLS. For reference only — not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. See a clinician if you are unwell.