Kidney Channel
Water Spring
水泉ShuǐquánAnatomical location
1 cun below KI3, in the depression anterior to the upper border of the calcaneus, at the junction of the red and white skin.
Main function
Regulates urination, strengthens the Lower Jiao, calms the Shen, and treats urogenital disorders.
- Xi-Cleft point
Therapeutic indications
- Urinary retention
- dysuria
- enuresis
- urinary incontinence
- low back pain
- dysmenorrhea
- leukorrhea
- amenorrhea
- irregular menstruation
- uterine prolapse
- blurred vision
Name and classical tradition
Shuiquan, 水泉, is the “water spring.” 水 is water; 泉 is the source. The name fits the symbolism of the Kidney, the organ of the Water phase, and its status as a Xi-Cleft point (郄穴), the place of deep accumulation on the channel. It lies one cun below KI3, Taixi, on the heel.
The sources attribute it to the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), with no verified literal quotation, and no alternative names are known for it. It is one of the many points on the channel with a water name: KI1, the gushing spring; KI3, the great stream; KI6, the shining sea; and KI7, the returning flow.
Other names
- 伏白Jiayi Jing
- 昌陽Jiayi Jing
