Directing Vessel
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REN-9
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Abdomen — Middle
Location
On the midline of the abdomen, 1 cun above the umbilicus.
Main Actions
- Opens water passages and treats Oedema
- Harmonies the Intestines
Indications
Commentary
The name 'Water Separation' clearly indicates its functions of separating clear Water from the turbid. This happens in the Small Intestine and the separated Water get distributed to the Bladder and Large Intestine, respectively.
In fact, Shuifen REN-9 is one of the most important points for treating any sorts of Water pathology, regardless being Dampness, Phlegm or Oedema. It is because it stimulates Body Fluids transportation, transformation and excretion in all body parts.
It is often applied together with Jianli REN-11 and Guanmen ST-22.
Classical Sources
Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): First documented this point with the name Shuifen, along with alternative names Fenshui and Zhongshou.
Zhenjiu Dacheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion): "Located 1 cun below Xiawan, 1 cun above the umbilicus, at the lower opening of the Small Intestine. At this point, clear and turbid are separated - water enters the Bladder, dregs enter the Large Intestine, hence called Water Divide." Also notes: "For water diseases, moxa is greatly beneficial... some say needling is prohibited - if needled, water will be exhausted and the patient will die."
Tongren (Bronze Man): "For water disease, moxibustion is greatly beneficial, from 7 to 100 cones. Needling is prohibited."
Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold): "For regurgitation of food immediately after eating, and qi rising; for abdominal distension and fullness with pain around the umbilicus, inability to eat, distension and muscle spasms."
How to Locate
On the midline of the abdomen, divide the distance between the umbilicus and the sternocostal angle into 8 cun. Shuifen REN-9 is located 1 cun above umbilicus.
Caution
Deep needling is contraindicated, especially in thin patients, as the peritoneal cavity and small intestine lie directly beneath this point. Classical texts (Tongren, Zisheng) warn against needling this point for water diseases, preferring moxibustion instead. Some sources state 'needling is prohibited - water will be exhausted and patient will die.' Modern practice allows careful perpendicular insertion to 0.5-1 cun depth. Use with caution during pregnancy due to its location on the abdominal midline.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.0 cun
Needling Directions
Vertically 0.5-1 cun. Caution: be careful with Peritoneum. Take great care during pregnancy.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Localized distension and fullness around the umbilical region. Deqi may radiate horizontally across the abdomen or vertically along the midline. Some patients report a sensation of warmth spreading through the lower abdomen.
Moxibustion
Particularly Recommended
Duration: 10–20 minutes; or 5–7 moxa cones (up to 100 cones for water diseases according to classical texts)
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
N/A
Gua Sha
Questionable
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