KI-16 - Vitals Shu

肓俞 - Huāng shū

Point Region: Abdomen

KI

Kidney Meridian

足少阴肾经 - Zú Shàoyīn Shèn Jīng

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: On the abdomen, 0.5 cun out from the centre of the navel.

Distances are in cun, a unit that scales with each person's body. As a guide, the width of your thumb at its joint is 1 cun, and your four fingers held together, measured across the middle joints, are 3 cun.

How to Locate:

  1. Find the centre of your navel
  2. Move half a thumb-width straight out to the side
  3. The point is there
KI-16 (Vitals Shu) acupressure point location: On the abdomen, 0.5 cun out from the centre of the navel.

How to Apply Pressure

Once KI-16 is identified, use soft, comfortable fingertip contact rather than pressing into the abdomen. Avoid it during pregnancy, after recent abdominal surgery, or with a severe intestinal condition.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Bowel problems
  • Digestive problems
  • Abdominal distension

Related Health Concerns

Stomach CrampsConstipationBloating

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Pregnancy
  • Severe intestinal disorders
  • Recent abdominal surgery