GB 20 — Fēng Chí (风池) — Wind Pool

GB 20 (Gallbladder 20; Fengchi, “Wind Pool”) is the single most important acupuncture point for headache, migraine and any disorder involving Wind — internal or external. Located below the occipital bone in the depression between the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, it is the primary point for tension headaches, migraines, neck stiffness, dizziness, vertigo, eye problems and the early stages of common cold or influenza. One of the most clinically used points in acupuncture practice.

On this page

Overview
Location
Actions
Indications
Needling
Clinical notes
Common point combinations
Treatment at my clinic
Frequently asked questions about GB 20

1. About GB 20 (Feng Chi)

GB 20 — Fēng Chí (风池) — is an acupuncture point on the Gallbladder meridian. Its English name, Wind Pool, refers to the deep hollow at the base of the skull where Wind — both pathogenic external Wind and internal Liver Wind — is said to gather. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice, used in virtually every treatment for headache, migraine, neck pain and the early stages of common cold.

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. GB 20 location

Below the occipital bone, in the depression between the upper portion of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. To find it: tilt the head slightly forward, slide a finger up the back of the neck along the trapezius muscle until it falls into the soft hollow just under the bony ridge at the base of the skull. The point sits between the ridge and the prominent muscle band. It is typically tender in patients with headaches, neck stiffness or migraine.

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 0.5–0.8 cun directed towards the contralateral eyeball, or perpendicular insertion directed towards the tip of the nose. Strong De Qi often achieved that may radiate up to the vertex. Caution: deep perpendicular needling risks puncturing the foramen magnum — only used by experienced practitioners.

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 one of the most clinically used points in acupuncture practice. Its name — “Wind Pool” — identifies it as the gathering place of both external pathogenic Wind (which invades through the back of the neck in common cold and flu) and internal Wind (the TCM concept underlying migraine, hypertension, dizziness, vertigo and tremor). This dual action makes it the master point for any presentation involving Wind.

In headache and migraine, GB 20 addresses the local stagnation at the base of the skull that often perpetuates the pain, while simultaneously descending Liver Yang and clearing Heat that drives the systemic mechanism. It is used in virtually every acupuncture treatment for migraine. In acute cold and flu it is needled or cupped to release the Wind from the surface. The point is also widely used for any condition affecting the eyes, ears or head.

7. Common point combinations

GB 20 + LI 4 (Hegu) — the textbook combination for any type of headache, particularly tension headache and migraine. The most clinically used pair for head pain.
GB 20 + Yintang — calms the Mind and addresses frontal headache; combined for migraine with anterior involvement and insomnia from a busy mind.
GB 20 + Taiyang — the local plus distal combination for migraine with temporal involvement, particularly classic one-sided migraine.
GB 20 + GB 21 (Jianjing) — the neck-and-shoulder combination for tension headache, computer-related neck pain and stress-driven cervical stiffness.
GB 20 + LV 3 (Taichong) — the Liver Yang-descending combination for headache from Liver Yang rising, hypertension and stress-driven migraine.
GB 20 + GV 16 (Fengfu) — the “Wind” combination for stiff neck, occipital headache and Wind invasion in the early stages of cold or flu.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I use GB 20 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including migraines, headaches, neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, eye conditions and the early stages of cold or flu. 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.

9. Frequently asked questions about GB 20

What are the acupuncture points GB20 used for?

The acupuncture points GB20 (Fengchi) are used primarily for headache, migraine, neck stiffness, dizziness and any complaint involving Wind — internal or external. GB 20 is the most important headache point in acupuncture and is included in virtually every migraine treatment. Acupuncture points GB20 are also used for the early stages of common cold, eye problems, tinnitus, vertigo and hypertension from Liver Yang rising.

Where do you press acupressure points GB20?

To find the acupressure points GB20: tilt your head slightly forward and slide a finger up the back of the neck along the long muscle (trapezius) until it falls into the soft hollow just under the bony ridge at the base of the skull. The point sits between the bony ridge and the muscle band. Apply firm pressure with both thumbs — one on each side — for 1–3 minutes. Acupressure points GB20 are typically tender in patients with headache or neck stiffness.

Can GB 20 help with migraines?

Yes — GB 20 is the single most important acupuncture point for migraine and is included in nearly every acupuncture protocol for migraine prevention or treatment. It addresses both the local muscle tension at the base of the skull and the underlying Liver Yang rising or Wind pattern that drives most migraines. Studies show acupuncture for migraine reduces frequency and severity in around 60–80% of patients, and GB 20 is the most-needled point in those protocols.

Can GB 20 help with neck pain?

Yes. GB 20 is the primary local point for tension at the base of the skull and the upper cervical spine. It is used clinically for stiff neck after sleeping awkwardly, computer-related neck strain, tension headache that begins at the back of the neck, and chronic cervical pain. Combined with GB 21 (Jianjing) for the broader neck-and-shoulder pattern.

Can GB 20 help with dizziness and vertigo?

Yes — GB 20 is one of the most-used acupuncture points for dizziness and vertigo, particularly when the cause is Wind, Liver Yang rising or Phlegm-Damp. It addresses both peripheral causes (cervical vertigo from upper-neck tension) and central TCM patterns (Liver Yang and internal Wind). Often combined with Sishencong, Yintang or LV 3 depending on the underlying pattern.

What does GB 20 mean in Chinese?

GB 20 is called Fēng Chí (风池) in Chinese, which translates as “Wind Pool”. The name refers to the deep hollow at the base of the skull where Wind — both external pathogenic Wind that causes common colds and internal Liver Wind that causes migraine and vertigo — is said to gather.

Is GB 20 safe during pregnancy?

Yes — GB 20 is safe during pregnancy and frequently used for pregnancy headaches, dizziness and the cold-and-flu cases where many conventional medications must be avoided. It has no uterotonic effect and is one of the standard points for pregnancy-related headache treatment.