GV 20 — Bǎi Huì (百会) — Hundred Meetings

GV 20 (Governor Vessel 20; Baihui, “Hundred Meetings”) is the meeting point of all Yang meridians at the vertex of the head. Located on the midline of the head at the highest point, it raises the clear Yang to lift prolapse, calms the Mind for anxiety and emotional instability, benefits the brain and senses, and extinguishes internal Wind. The single most important point for any condition of Qi sinking — prolapse, depression, post-natal collapse, haemorrhoids — and for vertex headache.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Location
3. Actions
4. Indications
5. Needling
6. Clinical notes
7. Common point combinations
8. Treatment at my clinic
9. Frequently asked questions about GV 20

1. About GV 20 (Baihui)

GV 20 — Bǎi Huì (百会) — is an acupuncture point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) meridian. Its English name, Hundred Meetings, refers to the fact that the point is the meeting place of all the Yang meridians of the body, plus the Du Mai itself. It sits at the highest point of the head and is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice, used for anxiety, depression, prolapse, memory and cognitive complaints, and any vertex-related symptom.

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. GV 20 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. To find it: trace a line from the tip of one ear straight up over the head to the tip of the other ear. GV 20 is at the midpoint of that line, on the midline of the head — usually in a small soft hollow at the very top of the skull.

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 0.3–0.5 cun, usually directed posteriorly or anteriorly along the midline. Moxibustion is widely used at GV 20, particularly indirect moxa, for chronic prolapse, low energy and Qi sinking. The point is often gently massaged in self-care for tension headaches and mental fatigue.

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 at the vertex of the head and a key point on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai). Its name — “Hundred Meetings” — refers to its function as a convergence point of Yang energy from across the body. This convergence gives GV 20 a uniquely broad clinical range: it lifts prolapse and sinking patterns, calms anxiety and emotional turbulence, sharpens cognition, treats vertex headache, and supports the senses and the brain.

Two patterns dominate its modern clinical use. First, Qi sinking patterns — prolapse (uterine, rectal, gastric), chronic diarrhoea with sinking sensation, postnatal collapse, haemorrhoids, depression with low energy — where GV 20 raises clear Yang to lift Qi back into position. Second, Yang rising patterns — vertex headache, anxiety, palpitations, agitation — where GV 20 settles and descends excess Yang at the top of the body. The point’s ability to do both is one of the more remarkable features of classical acupuncture.

7. Common point combinations

1. GV 20 + Yintang — the classical calming combination for anxiety, insomnia and a busy mind. Two of the most-used points in modern mental-health acupuncture protocols.
2. GV 20 + SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) — anchors Yang at the top, nourishes Yin and Blood at the bottom; used in perimenopause, anxiety with insomnia and the “wired-tired” pattern.
3. GV 20 + ST 36 (Zusanli) — the “lift the Qi” pair for prolapse, post-illness sinking and chronic fatigue with cognitive dullness.
4. GV 20 + LV 3 (Taichong) — descends Yang and clears the head; used for vertex headache from Liver Yang rising and hypertension with headache.
5. GV 20 + HT 7 (Shenmen) — the classical combination for insomnia with restless mind, palpitations and chronic anxiety.
6. GV 20 + GV 26 (Renzhong) — the resuscitation combination for collapse, fainting, severe shock and acute consciousness disturbance.

8. Treatment at my clinic

I use GV 20 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, memory and cognitive complaints, vertex and tension headaches, dizziness, and organ prolapse. 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 GV 20

What are the acupuncture points GV20 used for?

The acupuncture points GV20 (Baihui) are used for anxiety, depression, vertex headache, dizziness, memory and concentration problems, organ prolapse, haemorrhoids and the general decline of mental clarity with age. GV 20 is the meeting point of all Yang meridians at the top of the head, giving it an unusually broad clinical range. Acupuncture points GV20 are central to most mental-health and cognitive acupuncture protocols.

Where do you press acupressure points GV20?

To find the acupressure points GV20: trace a line from the tip of one ear straight up over the top of the head to the tip of the other ear. GV 20 sits at the midpoint of that line, on the midline of the head — usually in a small soft hollow at the very top of the skull. Apply firm pressure with your fingertip for 1–3 minutes, or gently massage in small circles.

Can GV 20 help with anxiety?

Yes — GV 20 is one of the most-used acupuncture points for anxiety, particularly when the anxiety is accompanied by mental restlessness, a busy mind, palpitations or insomnia. By calming the spirit (Shen) and descending excess Yang at the top of the body it produces a notably grounding effect within a session. Most acupuncture treatments for anxiety include GV 20, often paired with Yintang.

Can GV 20 help with prolapse?

Yes. GV 20 is the classical primary point for any prolapse pattern — uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, gastric prolapse and haemorrhoids from Qi sinking. By raising the clear Yang it lifts the descending Qi that allows organs to sag. The point is typically combined with ST 36 and CV 6, and moxibustion is heavily used at GV 20 in these cases.

Can GV 20 help with memory and cognitive issues?

Yes — GV 20 is a key point for poor memory, brain fog, slow cognition and the cognitive symptoms of perimenopause and ageing. It benefits the brain directly (TCM views the brain as the “Sea of Marrow” nourished by the Kidneys, with Yang convergence at the vertex) and is included in most acupuncture protocols for mild cognitive impairment.

What does GV 20 mean in Chinese?

GV 20 is called Bǎi Huì (百会) in Chinese, which translates as “Hundred Meetings”. The name refers to the convergence of all the Yang meridians of the body at the vertex of the head, where the point sits — a hundred channels meeting at one place.

Is GV 20 safe during pregnancy?

Yes — GV 20 is safe and frequently used throughout pregnancy. It has no uterotonic effect and is regularly included in pregnancy treatments for anxiety, insomnia and headache.