Shuitu ST10: Nomenclature, Location, Functions, Indications

Nomenclature:

Shui: water tu: passing through
Shuitu is at the neck, close to the esophagous, where water and food pass.
Point: ST-10
Chinese Name: 水突
Name: Shuitu
English Name/Meaning: Water Prominence
Pinyin: shǔi tū
Han Geul 한글: su dol 수돌
Romaji: sui totsu(?)
Vietnamese: Thủy đột

Location:

At the midpoint of the line joining Renying(ST9) and Qishe (ST11), on the anterior border of sternocleidomastoideus muscle.

Functions of shuitu:

• Benefits the throat and neck.
• Descends Lung Qi.

Indications:

Throat pain, Shortness of breath, dyspnea; goiter & scrofula,cough, asthma

Method:

Perpendicular-oblique insertion directed medially to avoid the carotid artery, 0.5 to 1 cun.

Precautions:

Care should be taken to avoid puncturing the carotid artery which must be palpated and then held laterally during needling, by using the index finger and thumb of one hand, above and below the point.