REN9 Shuifen

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

REN9 (Shuifen, “Shuifen”) is an acupuncture point on the Conception Vessel Meridian. It is located on the anterior midline of the abdomen, 1 cun superior to the center of the umbilicus. It promotes the transformation and transportation of fluids, regulates the intestines, tonifies the Spleen, and alleviates pain.

Location

On the anterior midline of the abdomen, 1 cun superior to the center of the umbilicus.

Needling

Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Needling is contraindicated in pregnancy. Caution is required in thin patients to avoid penetrating the peritoneal cavity.

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TCM functions

Promotes the transformation and transportation of fluids, regulates the intestines, tonifies the Spleen, and alleviates pain..

Indications

Water disease, ascites, edema, abdominal hardness and swelling like a drum, borborygmus, rumbling in the intestines that rushes to the heart, periumbilical pain, abdominal pain, stomach distention and hardness, inability to eat, aversion to food, intestinal and stomach vacuity distention, diarrhea with pain, spinal rigidity, lower back stiffness, nosebleed, ghost strike, pediatric sunken fontanelle..

Clinical notes

Shuifen is a critical point for regulating water metabolism, as its name implies. Classically, it was primarily treated with moxibustion for severe edema, ascites, and abdominal distention, where it was thought to separate fluids for proper excretion. Its use also extends to digestive disorders like borborygmus, abdominal pain, and poor appetite, reflecting its influence on the intestines. The significant classical warnings against needling in cases of edema highlight the perceived power and potential danger of this point.

On the Conception Vessel channel

REN9 is one of 24 points on the Conception Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:

REN5REN6REN7REN8REN10REN11REN12REN13

Frequently asked questions

Where is REN9 located?

REN9 (Shuifen) is located on the anterior midline of the abdomen, 1 cun superior to the center of the umbilicus.

What is REN9 used for?

REN9 promotes the transformation and transportation of fluids, regulates the intestines, tonifies the Spleen, and alleviates pain. Common clinical indications include water disease, ascites, edema, abdominal hardness and swelling like a drum, borborygmus, rumbling in the intestines that rushes to the heart, periumbilical pain, abdominal pain, stomach distention and hardness, inability to eat, aversion to food, intestinal and stomach vacuity distention, diarrhea with pain, spinal rigidity, lower back stiffness, nosebleed, ghost strike, pediatric sunken fontanelle.

How is REN9 needled?

Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Needling is contraindicated in pregnancy. Caution is required in thin patients to avoid penetrating the peritoneal cavity. Caution: Multiple classical sources, including the Zi Sheng Jing and Zhen Jiu Ju Ying, contain a strong prohibition against needling this point in cases of edema or ascites ('water disease'), warning that if the 'water is drained, the patient will die'. Moxibustion is consistently presented as the preferred and safer treatment method for these conditions.

Which meridian is REN9 on?

REN9 is a point on the Conception Vessel Meridian (Rèn Mài).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.