Xuanli Point (GB-6 / Suspended Regulation)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Xuanli (GB-6 / Suspended Regulation). Learn its benefits for migraine, facial swelling, eye pain, and stiff neck – the meeting point of Gallbladder, Sanjiao, and Stomach – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Migraine, facial swelling, outer canthus pain, stiff neck (wry neck), dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, and toothache.
Precise Location
On the head, at the junction of the upper 3/4 and lower 1/4 of the curved line connecting Touwei (ST-8) and Qubin (GB-7) in the temporal hairline.
Location Method
Sit upright with the index, middle, and ring fingers together, palms facing inward – place the index fingertip at the hairline of the forehead corner (Touwei); the point is where the ring finger rests.
Massage Method
Place the index and middle fingers on Xuanli and gently knead – once each morning and evening for 1–3 minutes. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and disperses wind, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, and clears the head and brightens the eyes.
Compatibility
Outer canthus pain: Combine with Jiuwei (RN-15), Xuanli (GB-6), and Jingming (BL-1). Disease overview: Outer canthus pain – daytime pain belongs to yang pain; nighttime pain belongs to yin pain. Pain with restlessness indicates qi excess; pain with cold sensitivity indicates qi deficiency. Dull intermittent pain indicates yin deficiency with fire movement; stabbing continuous pain indicates excess fire pathogen. Massage sequence: Massage Jiuwei (on the upper abdominal midline) with the palm for 1 minute; then press Xuanli for 3 minutes; finally pinch Jingming with the thumb and index finger 20 times. Migraine: Combine with Xuanlu (GB-5), Fengchi (GB-20), and Waiguan (TE-5). Tinnitus: Combine with Yifeng (TE-17), Zhongzhu (TE-3), and Xuanli (GB-6). Epilepsy: Combine with Shugu (BL-65) and Xuanli (GB-6). Facial swelling: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Xuanli (GB-6). Stiff neck: Combine with Houxi (SI-3), Fengchi (GB-20), and Xuanli (GB-6).
Efficacy & Actions
People with stiff neck often go to bed with a perfectly fine neck, only to wake up the next morning with neck pain and inability to turn the head, disrupting work and daily life. The treatment for stiff neck is actually very simple – pressing Xuanli can quickly relieve the symptoms. It also effectively treats headaches. This point belongs to the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian and is the meeting point of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. It clears heat and disperses wind, unblocks the collaterals and relieves pain, and clears the head and brightens the eyes. It is a commonly used key point for treating head, facial, and neck disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Xuan" means to suspend; "Li" means to regulate or correct. Located in the temporal region of the head, this point regulates head and facial disorders – hence the name Xuanli (Suspended Regulation).
