Gall Bladder Meridian
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GB-20
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
Needle Depth
0.5–1.2 cun
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique), 10-15° (Transverse)
Body Area
Neck — Posterior, Head — Occipital
Location
In the posterior aspect of the neck, below the occipital bone, in the depression between the upper portion of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle.
Main Actions
- Subdues Liver Yang
- Expels Exterior or Interior Wind
- Benefits the eyes and ears
- Nourishes the Marrow and Brain
Indications
Fever
Iritis
Vertigo
Lockjaw
Epilepsy
Red eyes
Eye pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Cataract
Body aches
Hemiplegia
Wind-stroke
Tearfulness
Blocked ear
Poor memory
Eye deviation
Blurred vision
Occipital pain
Mouth deviation
Aversion to cold
Outer canthus pain
Occipital stiffness
Optic nerve atrophy
Outer canthus redness
Diminished night vision
Commentary
Fengchi GB-20 is an very important point. One of its major function is to subdue Liver Yang or Liver Fire, characterized by headache and dizziness.
The Rising of Liver Yang triggers Interior Wind and causes symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, hemiplegia, lockjaw, deviation of eye and mouth or epilepsy.
On top of that, it is also able to expel Exterior Wind. In fact, it is often used for strong Wind Invasion which cause profound headache or stiff neck. Together with Lieque LU-7, it eliminates Wind-Cold. While with Hegu LI-4 and Waiguan TB-5, it eliminates Wind-Heat. In order to expel Wind, GB-20 should be needled angled towards the opposite eye.
This point can also be used for various eye disorders, especially caused by Liver Yang or Liver Fire. These are the Excess cases, characterized by red and painful eyes or outer canthus as well as excessive lacrimation. In this case, a Reducing Needling method should be applied here. In case of Deficient cases characterized by blurred vision or diminished night vision, a Tonifying Needling method should adopted to nourish Liver Blood. In order to effect the eye, GB-20 should be needled obliquely towards the eye of the same side.
Furthermore, Liver Yang Rising gives rise to ears disorders such as tinnitus, deafness or blocked ear. These can be treated by Fengchi GB-20 as well.
Finally it tonifies the Marrow and nourishes the Brain with Tonifying Needling Method. Thus it treats poor memory, dizziness and vertigo.
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (Divine Pivot), Chapter on Hot Diseases: Lists Fengchi as one of the 59 essential needling points, specifically naming both left and right Fengchi for treating head and neck conditions.
Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage): "When a patient with Taiyang disease first takes Guizhi Tang but becomes irritable and the symptoms do not resolve, first needle Fengchi and Fengfu, then give Guizhi Tang and recovery will follow."
Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (A-B Classic of Acupuncture): "Neck pain, inability to turn the head, excessive yawning, nasal congestion and epistaxis, red painful inner canthus—Fengchi governs these. For goiter, moxa Fengchi one hundred cones."
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture): "Treats chills and fever, sweating failure in febrile disease, dizziness, unilateral and frontal headache, malaria, neck stiffness as if pulled, tearing eyes, frequent yawning, nasal obstruction and bleeding, red painful eyes, ear blockage, blurred vision, back pain, and wind-stroke with inability to speak."
How to Locate
Palpate from the midline along the lower border of the occiput. Cross the bulge of the origin of the trapezius muscle, until reaching a depression about the size of a finger pad. Fengchi GB-20 is in the center of this depression.
Caution
CRITICAL SAFETY: The medulla oblongata (brainstem) and vertebral artery lie deep to this point. Never needle deeper than 1.5 cun. Avoid needling toward the opposite ear—this direction most easily enters the cranial cavity. Safe needling directions: toward opposite eye (1-2 cun safe), toward nose tip, or horizontal through-needling. Use gentle manipulation only—avoid aggressive lifting/thrusting or rotation. In thin patients, reduce insertion depth. Improper needling can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage or damage to vital structures. This point requires careful angle and depth control by experienced practitioners.
Needle Angle
45° (Oblique) / 10-15° (Transverse)
Depth Category
Medium
Standard Depth
0.5–1.2 cun
Needling Directions
The patients should be in a prone, sitting or supine position with occipital region available for needling. Insert the needle 0.5-2 cun, towards the nose tip or the contralateral orbit. Caution: do not needle deeper than 2 cm in slim patient.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Local distention and soreness radiating to the top of the head, temple, forehead, or eyes. When needled toward the eye, sensation transmits along the Gallbladder channel upward through the temporal region to the forehead. Through-needling to opposite GB-20 produces soreness spreading across the back of the neck.
Moxibustion
Recommended
Duration: 10–15 minutes (indirect moxa only due to hair)
Cupping
Questionable
Bloodletting
Questionable
Gua Sha
Recommended
Related Resources
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