# ST28 Shuidao (Waterway) – Stomach Meridian

水道 · shuǐ dào

Location: 3 thumb widths below umbilicus 2 thumb widths lateral to the CV04.

Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/st28

## Indications

An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Benefit Bladder, Benefit Bladder, Benefit Regulate Jiao Lower, Benefit Uterus, Benefit Uterus, Cold Bladder, Cold Bladder, Cold Knee, Cold Knee, Cold Thigh, Cold Thigh, Cold Uterus, Cold Uterus, Constipation, Shan Disorder, Shan Disorder, Abdomen Inferior Bloating, Abdomen Inferior Bloating, Menstrual Cramps, Fibroids / Masses Jia Uterus, Fibroids Masses Jia Uterus, Abdomen Inferior Fullness, Abdomen Inferior Fullness, Heat Binding Sanjiao, Heat Binding Sanjiao, Infertility, Edema, Back Pain, Back Pain, Back Lumbar Period Pain, Back Lumbar Period / Menstruation Pain, Genital Pain, Genital Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Pain, Lumbar Spine Pain, Lumbar Spine Pain, Regulate Jiao Lower, Retention Dead Foetus, Retention Dead Foetus, Retention Placenta, Retention Placenta, Urinary Retention, Urinary Retention, Stagnation

## Most often selected alongside ST28

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 44 protocols
- CV04 (Original Qi Gate) – 39 protocols
- ST36 (Leg Three Miles) – 39 protocols
- ST25 (Celestial Pivot) – 37 protocols
- CV06 (Sea Of Qi) – 30 protocols
- CV12 (Stomach Centre) – 25 protocols
- CV03 (Central Pivot) – 21 protocols
- LV03 (Great Surge) – 20 protocols

## Protocols using ST28 (50 best-sourced of 80)

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes, Damp-heat Lower-jiao | LI11, ST28, ST29, ST40, SP06, SP09, BL22, BL32, GB34, LV02 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Night Sweats, Infertility Female, Hot Flashes, Vaginal Dryness, Mood Swings, Amenorrhea Premature, Menopause Premature | ST25, ST28, ST29, ST36, SP06, BL32, KD03, GB13, LV03, CV03, CV04, GV20, GV24 | 90 days | doi:10.1155/2014/718675 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention Postoperative, Incontinence Urinary Postoperative, Bladder Dysfunction Sensory Loss Postoperative, Urinary Tract Infection Postoperative | ST28, ST36, SP06, MS04 | 5 days | doi:10.1155/2014/802134 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight | LI04, LI11, ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, CV06, CV12 | 42 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0867-y | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight, Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes | LI04, LI11, ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP15, CV06, CV09, CV12 | 21 days | doi:10.1038/nutd.2016.16 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Overweight, Obesity Postpartum, Weight Retention | ST25, ST28, ST40, SP06, SP15, CV09 | 21 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004716 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Abdominal Distention, Abdominal Pain, Urinary Retention Postpartum | ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, BL67, CV03, CV04 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2018/2072091 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Lower-abdominal Pain, Lower-back Pain, Menstrual-irregularity, Blood-clots Menstrual, Leucorrhea, Infertility Risk | ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV04, CV06, GV20 | 10 days | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2018.07.003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity Abdominal, Bmi Elevated, Waist Circumference Elevated | ST25, ST28, ST40, SP15, GB26, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.1155/2019/9714313 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Edema, Obesity, Weight Gain, Amenorrhea Post-pill, Digestion Poor | ST28, SP14, CV04 | 35 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000016996 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea Primary, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain | LI04, ST28, ST36, SP10, BL20, BL32, BL54, LV03 | 90 days | doi:10.1155/2019/7978180 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention, Voiding Dysfunction Postoperative, Voiding Dysfunction Postpartum | ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, KD03, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV20 | 3 days | doi:10.1155/2020/2520483 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Overweight, Obesity Simple, Bmi Elevated | LI04, LI11, ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, ST32, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, ST44, SP04, SP06, SP09, SP14, SP15, SP16, BL20, BL21, TB06, GB26, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV07, CV09, CV10, CV12, CV13 | 30 days | doi:10.1155/2020/2367610 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoarthritis Knee, Knee Post-surgical Pain, Recovery Post-surgical Knee-replacement | ST28, ST34, ST36, SP09, SP10, BL38, GB28, GB29, GB34, CV03 | 14 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000024941 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, PCOS, Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidemia, Hyperandrogenism, Oligoanovulation | ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, CV03, CV04, CV06 | 90 days | doi:10.1155/2021/5555028 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Vomiting, Nausea, Anemia, Epigastric Pain, Chemotherapy Nausea, Vomiting Chemotherapy-induced, Chemotherapy Side Effects, Cancer Gastric, Loss Of Appetite, Fatigue Chemotherapy-induced, Cancer Gastric Advanced | ST28, ST29, ST36, SP08, SP10, SP15, PC06, CV04, CV06 | 392 days | doi:10.1155/2022/8701779 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Nocturia, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Urination Urgency, Urination Hesitancy, Urination Slow Stream, Urination Frequency | ST28, BL23, BL28, CV03, CV06 | 126 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030925 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Constipation, Obesity Abdominal, Defecation Impaired | ST22, ST25, ST28, GB26, CV04, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.201042 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Anxiety, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Depression, Insomnia, Photophobia, Neck Stiffness, Phonophobia, Headache Medication-overuse, Chronic Migraine, Chronic Daily Headache, Head Throbbing Pain | LI04, ST25, ST28, ST36, ST40, SP09, SI03, BL10, TB05, TB17, GB04, GB08, GB15, GB18, GB20, GB34, GB41, GB43, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, GV20, GV24 | 168 days | doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity Abdominal, Dyslipidemia, Waist Circumference Elevated, Waist Circumference Increased | ST24, ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP14, SP15, GB26, CV09, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.2147/DMSO.S551806 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity Abdominal | ST21, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST28, SP15, GB26, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV10, CV12 | 1 days | doi:10.1111/jocd.70718 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Cough, Fatigue, Chest Pain, Dyspnea, Anorexia, Pleural Effusion Malignant | ST28, BL13, BL20, BL23, CV04, CV17 | 28 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230821 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysuria, Nocturia, Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Urinary Hesitancy, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Incomplete Bladder Emptying | ST28, CV02, CV04 | 28 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000020376 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight, Insulin Resistance, Menstrual Irregularity, Pcos | LI04, LI11, ST25, ST28, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP09, KD07, KD13, GB34, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV12 | 84 days | doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00591-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Cramping, Abdominal Pain, Menstrual Pain, Pelvic Pain | ST28, SP06, BL54 | 45 days | doi:10.2147/IJWH.S264023 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight, Food Craving | ST25, ST28, ST36, SP15, BL20, KD14, CV06, CV09, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101050 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Joint Pain, Abdominal Pain, Bleeding Rectal, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diarrhea Chronic | LI04, ST23, ST24, ST25, ST26, ST27, ST28, SP03, SP04, SP05, KD02, KD03, KD04, KD05 | 28 days | doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2024.101080 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Bladder Dysfunction Neurogenic, Urinary Incontinence Stress, Prostate Disease | ST28, BL54 | – | doi:10.53469/jcmp.2025.07(05).06 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spleen Deficiency, Obesity Simple, Spleen Deficiency Damp Obstruction, Dampness-obstruction | LI04, LI11, ST25, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP14, TB06, GB26, LV03, CV06, CV12 | 24 days | doi:10.27253/d.cnki.gnjzu.2025.000776 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spleen Deficiency, Obesity Abdominal, Dampness Accumulation, Spleen Deficiency With Dampness Accumulation | ST25, ST28, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP14, SP15, GB26, CV04, CV06, CV10, CV12 | 56 days | doi:10.26922/d.cnki.ganzc.2025.000566 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysuria, Urinary Frequency, Urinary Urgency, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms | ST28, ST36, SP06, CV02, CV03, CV04 | 28 days | doi:10.27465/d.cnki.gzzyc.2024.000579 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention Postoperative, Urinary Retention Post-hemorrhoidectomy | ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL28, BL57, KD03, CV03, CV04, CV06, CV08 | – | doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.024179 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention Post-stroke | ST28, SP06, SP09, BL28, BL32, BL33, BL34, CV03, CV04 | – | doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.023135 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Constipation Post-stroke | ST25, ST28, SP14, SP15 | 14 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2008.01.003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence, Stroke Sequelae Post-cerebral Infarction | ST28, SP06, PC06, CV06, GV26 | – | doi:10.13460/j.issn.1005-0957.2018.13.0253 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention | LI04, ST28, ST36, SP06, SP09, SP10, BL22, BL23, BL28, BL32, BL54, KD03, LV03, CV02, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV20 | – | doi:10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2013.23.017 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Uterine Myoma, Uterine Fibroids, Uterine Fibroids | ST28, ST29, SP06, LV03 | 63 days | doi:10.1002/ccr3.72011 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Infertility, Ovarian Cysts, PCOS, Hirsutism, Anovulation | LU07, LI04, ST28, ST29, ST36, SP04, SP06, SP10, KD06, PC06, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, XC01 | – | doi:10.1002/hsr2.72673 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention, Urinary Retention, Urinary Problems, Urinary Retention Postpartum | ST28 | 1 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20230603-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Incontinence Stress, Incontinence Stress Urinary | ST28, BL33, BL35, BL54, KD12, CV04 | 56 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240408-k0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Hyperplasia Prostate Benign, Urinary Symptoms Lower Tract, Overactive Bladder | ST28, ST36, SP06, CV02, CV03, CV04 | 28 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240322-k0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Obesity, Overweight, Phlegm-dampness | ST24, ST25, ST28, ST40, SP15, GB26 | 56 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240610-k0004 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Incontinence Urinary, Incontinence Urinary Stress, Stress Urinary Incontinence | ST28, BL54 | 10 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200410-k0005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Hyperplasia Prostatic Benign, Urination Difficult | ST28, SP06, KD03, TB06, CV03, CV04 | 14 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190923-0001 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Chronic Pain, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Lumbosacral Pain | ST28, ST29, BL23, BL32, CV04 | 30 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20191218-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Absent Periods, Premature Ovarian Failure | ST25, ST28, ST29, ST36, SP06, BL23, BL32, KD03, GB13, LV03, CV03, CV04, GV20, GV24 | 90 days | doi:10.1155/2014/718675 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Low Back Pain | LI04, LI11, ST20, ST24, ST27, ST28, SP06, SI03, KD03, KD06, TB10, GB41, LV08, CV12 | 21 days | doi:10.1002/jgf2.719 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | ST28, ST29, BL23, BL32, CV04 | 30 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200329-k0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pelvic Pain, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease | ST28, CV04, CV06, XC01 | 16 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20200713-0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Urinary Retention, Urinary Retention After Surgery | ST28, SP06, CV04, CV06 | 5 days | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210504-k0002 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms