GV 20 — Bǎi Huì (百会) — Hundred Meetings

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

GV 20 — Bǎi Huì (百会) — is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) meridian. Its English name, Hundred Meetings, 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 GV 20 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.

2. Location

On the midline of the head, 5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, at the midpoint of the line connecting the apices of both ears.

3. Actions

1. Raises the clear Yang and lifts prolapse
2. Calms the Mind and benefits the brain
3. Extinguishes Wind and resolves convulsions
4. Benefits the head and sense organs
5. Meeting point of all Yang meridians at the vertex

4. Indications

1. Headache at the vertex and whole-head headache
2. Dizziness, vertigo and tinnitus from Yang rising or Qi sinking
3. Depression and emotional instability from Qi sinking
4. Prolapse of organs — uterine, rectal and gastric
5. Epilepsy and convulsions
6. Memory loss, poor concentration and cognitive decline
7. Haemorrhoids from Qi sinking

5. Needling

Transverse insertion 0.5–0.8 cun, anteriorly or posteriorly. Moxibustion applicable with moxa stick.

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

GV 20 is the meeting point of all Yang meridians plus the Liver meridian at the vertex — the highest point on the body and the meeting point of heaven and earth Qi. It has a dual action: it both raises sinking Qi (treating prolapse, depression and fatigue) and descends rising Yang (treating headache, dizziness and hypertension). Combined with GV 24 (Shenting) and Yintang it forms the primary Mind-calming combination for anxiety and insomnia. Moxibustion with a moxa stick held over GV 20 is used for treating prolapse, particularly uterine prolapse.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I use GV 20 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including Headaches, Depression, Anxiety, 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.