Baihui Point (GV-20 / Hundred Meetings, also known as Dianshang, Sanyang Wuhui, Lingshang, Niwan Gong, Tianman, Weihui, Dingshang, Sanyang, Wuhui)
This point can ascend (ascending to receive qi), descend (descending to subdue yang), calm (calming to settle the spirit), and activate (activating to dispel wind). Based on its properties, it is clinically used for gastric ptosis, rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, hernia, chronic diarrhea, insomnia, memory loss, manic-depressive disorders, psychiatric disorders, dizziness, headache, and cerebrovascular accidents.
Indications
Stroke, palpitations, headache, dizziness, insomnia, forgetfulness, tinnitus, vertigo, rectal prolapse, and hemorrhoids. (1) Mental disorders: Insomnia, forgetfulness, headache, palpitations, hysteria, dementia, manic-depressive disorders. (2) Qi sinking: Rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhea, hernia, gastric ptosis. (3) Liver wind internal stirring: Hypertension, stroke, syncope, vertigo. (4) Others: Coma, aphasia, post-stroke sequelae, tinnitus, nasal disorders, facial disorders, heel pain, etc.
Precise Location
On the head, 5 cun directly above the anterior hairline on the midline.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine. The point is at the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.
Massage Method
Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. Press and knead Baihui with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes daily, to treat dizziness and headache. Therapeutic actions: Raises yang and lifts prolapse, revives the spirit and opens the orifices, calms the liver and extinguishes wind, calms the heart and settles the spirit.
Compatibility
Shock: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26) and Neiguan (PC-6). Qi sinking disorders: Combine with Qihai (RN-6), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Zusanli (ST-36). Vertex headache: Combine with Taichong (LR-3). Stroke with coma: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26), Fengfu (GV-16), Yongquan (KI-1), and Hegu (LI-4). Nasal disorders: Combine with Yingxiang (LI-20) and Hegu (LI-4). Insomnia, forgetfulness, dizziness, tinnitus due to liver-kidney yin deficiency: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Taixi (KI-3), and Qihai (RN-6). Heavy head, dizziness, vomiting phlegm due to phlegm turbidity: Combine with Qihai (RN-6), Zusanli (ST-36), and Fenglong (ST-40). Head and face wind disorders: Combine with Fengfu (GV-16), Fengchi (GB-20), Quchi (LI-11), and Hegu (LI-4). Calm the spirit: Combine with Yintang (EX-HN3). Rectal prolapse and hemorrhoids: Combine with Changqiang (GV-1) and Weishu (BL-21). Chronic diarrhea with prolapse: Combine with Pishu (BL-20). Wind headache and dizziness: Combine with Naokong (GB-19) and Tianzhu (BL-10). Metrorrhagia, rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, corpse syncope: Combine with Yinbai (SP-1). Headache: Combine with Yintang (EX-HN3), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Hegu (LI-4). Qi deficiency: Combine with Danzhong (RN-17) and Qihai (RN-6).
Efficacy & Actions
Baihui belongs to the Governor Vessel (Du Mai) and is the meeting point of the Governor Vessel and the three yang meridians of the hand and foot. It can be needled or moxibusted, reinforced or reduced – its effects can ascend, descend, calm, or activate. It is a key point for treating qi sinking patterns and brain disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Bai" means many or numerous; "Hui" means meeting. The head is the meeting point of all yang, and this point is where the three yang meridians of the hand and foot, the Governor Vessel, and the Liver Meridian converge – located at the highest point of the body, treating all disorders – hence the name Baihui (Hundred Meetings). It is also known as "Dianshang," "Sanyang Wuhui," "Lingshang," "Niwan Gong," "Tianman," "Weihui," "Dingshang," "Sanyang," and "Wuhui." (1) Key Point for Treating Qi Sinking Disorders: Located at the vertex, the highest point of the body, the extreme of the Governor Vessel and the meeting of all yang – it raises yang, lifts prolapse, and secures qi, especially with moxibustion. Clinically used for organ prolapse and sinking disorders such as rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhea, hernia, spermatorrhea, and enuresis – often combined with Guanyuan (RN-4) and Qihai (RN-6). The Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing records: Wang Zhizhong suffered from heart qi deficiency and palpitations that did not heal. He later read that there are four important points in the body that treat all disorders – Baihui being one of them – so he moxibusted Baihui regularly and recovered. (2) Key Point for Brain and Mental Disorders: Located at the vertex, the Governor Vessel enters the brain, which is the sea of marrow and the "palace of the primordial spirit," governing all daily activities and coordinating the five zang and six fu. It is the primary key point for headache, dizziness, stroke, manic-depressive disorders, syncope, hysteria, insomnia, forgetfulness, and other conditions due to insufficient primordial spirit and malnourishment of the sea of marrow. The earliest recorded acupuncture treatment in history is Bian Que needling Baihui to treat the "corpse syncope" of the Crown Prince of Guo – reviving him and becoming the first complete acupuncture case record. (3) Key Point for Dispelling Wind: Used for various wind patterns. Wind is swift and changeable, light and ascending – wind disorders often manifest with head symptoms. The Neijing states: "Only wind can reach the high vertex." The Xingzhen Zhiyao Ge states: "For needling wind disorders, first needle Fengfu and Baihui." Located at the vertex, Baihui dispels wind, calms liver wind, and treats headache, dizziness, urticaria, colds, stroke, and epilepsy.
Contraindications
The skull lies beneath Baihui – horizontal or oblique needling is primarily used; vertical needling is generally avoided. Moxibustion is commonly used for raising yang and lifting prolapse.
