GB 20 — Fēng Chí (风池) — Wind Pool
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1. Overview
GB 20 — Fēng Chí (风池) — is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder meridian. Its English name, Wind Pool, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use GB 20 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
Below the occipital bone, in the depression between the upper portion of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
3. Actions
- Expels Wind — internal and external — the most important Wind-expelling point
- Benefits the head and eyes
- Clears Heat
- Activates the meridian and relieves pain
- Calms the Mind
4. Indications
- Headache and migraine — the single most important point for all types of headache
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Eye disorders — blurred vision, red eyes, painful eyes
- Common cold and nasal congestion from Wind invasion
- Hypertension from Liver Yang rising with Wind
- Tinnitus
- Insomnia from Wind agitating the Mind
5. Needling
Oblique insertion 0.8–1.2 cun, directed towards the tip of the nose or contralateral eye. Needle with great care — the medulla oblongata lies deep to this point. Never needle towards the brain stem.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
GB 20 is the meeting point of the Gallbladder and Triple Burner meridians and the Sea of Qi for the head. It is the most important point for all Wind disorders affecting the head — both exterior Wind (common cold, nasal congestion) and interior Wind (vertigo, tremor, hypertension, migraine). Combined with GB 21 (Jianjing) and BL 10 (Tianzhu) it forms the primary neck and occipital prescription. Needling direction is critical — always direct obliquely towards the nose or opposite eye, never straight in towards the brainstem.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use GB 20 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Headaches, Migraines, Neck pain, High blood pressure, Tinnitus. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
