Shuidao 水道
3 B-cun below the centre of the navel, 2 B-cun out from the front midline.
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External abdominal oblique muscle · Internal abdominal oblique muscle · Rectus abdominis muscle
Rendered straight from the 3D model at the computed location. The glowing ring marks Shuidao.
On this page
1Where is Shuidao?
3 B-cun below the centre of the navel, 2 B-cun out from the front midline.
It lies beside CV4, on the lower abdomen.
External abdominal oblique muscle · Internal abdominal oblique muscle · Rectus abdominis muscle
2How do I find it on my body?
- Divide the distance from the centre of the navel to the upper border of the pubic symphysis into 5 B-cun.
- Count down 3 from the navel.
- Move out to the 2 B-cun line, halfway between the midline and the nipple line (4 B-cun).
A cun is a body-scaled unit of length. The precise way is to divide a bone length into equal parts (proportional bone cun); finger widths are a quick estimate.
- external abdominal oblique
- The widest, outermost muscle on the side of the belly. Its fibers slant like hands slipped into front pockets (from upper outside to lower inside), and it twists and bends the trunk.
- pubic symphysis
- Where the two pubic bones join with cartilage at the bottom middle of the belly; going straight down from the navel you meet it as a hard bony edge. The center of the navel to its upper edge is taken as 5 cun.
- rectus abdominis
- The long vertical muscle on each side of the middle of the belly, from the pubic bone to the rib cartilages, that bends the trunk forward. It makes the 'six-pack' blocks when tightened.
- internal abdominal oblique
- The second layer of side-belly muscle, just under the external oblique. Its fibers run roughly crosswise to the external oblique, and it helps twist the trunk.
- lower abdomen
- The belly below the navel, down to the pubic bone.
3Before you press
- Press the abdomen only gently, with several fingers or the palm.
- Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially with fever or vomiting, needs urgent care — call emergency services if needed instead of using acupressure.
- 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 name joins shui (water) and dao (path): a waterway.
From traditional texts — not a claim of effect.
?FAQ
Where exactly is Shuidao?
3 B-cun below the centre of the navel, 2 B-cun out from the front midline. It lies beside CV4, on the lower abdomen.
How do I find Shuidao?
Divide the distance from the centre of the navel to the upper border of the pubic symphysis into 5 B-cun. Count down 3 from the navel. Move out to the 2 B-cun line, halfway between the midline and the nipple line (4 B-cun). CV4 lies on the midline at the same level.
Can I press it during pregnancy?
Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy.
What should I watch out for?
Press the abdomen only gently, with several fingers or the palm. Do not press the abdomen during pregnancy. Sudden severe abdominal pain, especially with fever or vomiting, needs urgent care — call emergency services if needed instead of using acupressure. 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. 59
- Standard comparison: Chinese national standard GB/T 12346-2021 (Nomenclature and location of meridian points)
- Korean anatomical terms and locating tips: KMCRIC Standard Acupoint DB (Korea)
- Classification cross-check: AcuAtlas dataset (CC BY 4.0)
- Safety: Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Safety in Clinical Practice Guidance (2023)
- 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.