Baihui (GV20): The Hundred Meetings Point — Acupoint Guide

Baihui: Where All Yang Energy Converges

Baihui (百会, GV20), meaning “Hundred Meetings” or “Hundred Convergences,” is one of the most significant acupoints in the entire body. Located at the very top of the head, it is the point where all six Yang meridians of the body converge — making it the supreme Yang point and a nexus for the body’s ascending energy.

The name “Hundred Meetings” reflects its role as a gathering place: the Governing Vessel, the Bladder, Gallbladder, Stomach, San Jiao, and Large Intestine channels all have connections here. When you treat Baihui, you influence the entire Yang energy system of the body.

Location: How to Find Baihui

Anatomical location: On the midline of the head, at the vertex, approximately at the intersection of two lines:

Simple method:

1. Place your thumbs on the tops of your ears
2. Draw an imaginary line from each thumb up and over the crown of the head
3. Where these two lines intersect on the midline is Baihui
4. Alternatively: measure 5 cun (about the width of your hand plus middle finger) straight up from the front hairline, or 7 cun up from the back hairline

Landmark: You may feel a slight depression at this point. It is also roughly at the highest point of the skull when the head is held upright.

Traditional Functions

1. Awakens the Brain and Calms the Spirit

Baihui is the most important point for mental and neurological conditions. As the highest point on the body and the convergence of all Yang, it directly influences the brain and consciousness.

Used for:

• Headaches and dizziness
• Insomnia and excessive dreaming
• Mental fog and poor concentration
• Anxiety and emotional instability
• Memory difficulties

2. Lifts Yang and Resolves Prolapse

This is Baihui’s most unique and clinically important function. In TCM theory, Qi has a natural tendency to rise. When Qi sinks or collapses, organs can prolapse — literally drooping downward from lack of lifting force. Baihui, at the highest point of the body, acts like a sky hook that lifts Yang Qi back up.

Used for:

• Organ prolapse (uterine, rectal, gastric)
• Chronic diarrhea from Qi deficiency
• Hemorrhoids
• Fatigue with a sensation of heaviness and drooping
• Low blood pressure with dizziness on standing

3. Dispels Wind and Calms Spasms

Baihui is a key point for treating Wind conditions — both external (Wind invasion causing headaches, stiff neck) and internal (Wind generating spasms, tremors, or stroke sequelae).

Used for:

• Wind-type headaches
• Stiff neck and upper back tension
• Seizures and convulsions
• Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
• Post-stroke recovery

Acupressure Techniques

Gentle Crown Pressure

1. Place your middle finger on Baihui at the top of your head
2. Apply gentle, steady pressure — do not press hard (the scalp is thin here)
3. Hold for 1–2 minutes while breathing slowly and deeply
4. You may feel a subtle warmth or relaxation spreading through your head

Circular Massage for Headache

1. Place your palm flat on the crown of your head
2. Gently rotate in small circles, covering the Baihui area
3. Continue for 1–3 minutes
4. This gentle stimulation is effective for tension headaches

”Lifting” Visualization for Fatigue

1. Press Baihui gently while sitting upright with good posture
2. As you inhale, visualize energy rising from your lower abdomen to the crown
3. As you exhale, feel the energy settle and stabilize
4. Repeat for 5–10 breaths

Moxibustion at Baihui

Moxibustion at Baihui is particularly effective for:

• Qi deficiency with prolapse — moxa at Baihui lifts Yang Qi
• Chronic fatigue — warming the crown energizes the entire Yang system
• Depression and lethargy — the warmth brings clarity and upliftment
• Bedwetting in children — combined with other points, moxa at Baihui strengthens the controlling function of Qi

Method: Use a moxa stick held 2–3 cm above the point. Treat for 5–10 minutes until the area feels comfortably warm.

Caution: The hair is flammable. Keep the moxa stick moving and maintain safe distance. Best performed by a trained practitioner.

Clinical Applications Summary

Condition	How Baihui Helps
Headache (vertex/top of head)	Directly treats the local area
Dizziness and vertigo	Stabilizes ascending Yang
Insomnia and vivid dreams	Calms the spirit, anchors the mind
Organ prolapse	Lifts Yang Qi upward
Chronic fatigue	Tonifies and lifts Qi
Mental fog	Awakens the brain
Wind-type headache	Disperses Wind from the crown
Post-stroke recovery	Supports neurological recovery

Combinations with Other Points

Combination	Purpose
Baihui + Fengchi (GB20)	Headaches, dizziness, neck tension
Baihui + Zusanli (ST36)	Qi deficiency, fatigue, prolapse
Baihui + Sanyinjiao (SP6)	Uterine prolapse, gynecological conditions
Baihui + Hegu (LI4)	Headache, facial conditions, mental clarity
Baihui + Taichong (LV3)	Headache from Liver Yang rising, stress
Baihui + Yongquan (KD1)	Ground excessive Yang, balance top and bottom

The “Top and Bottom” Balance

An elegant TCM principle pairs Baihui (top of the head, GV20) with Yongquan (sole of the foot, KD1). Baihui is the supreme Yang point; Yongquan is the root of Yin. Together, they create a vertical axis of balance — stimulating both points simultaneously harmonizes the relationship between rising Yang and grounding Yin, like a tree whose roots reach deep while its branches reach high.

Precautions

• Do not press forcefully — the scalp is thin and the skull is directly beneath
• Avoid needling in infants — the fontanel (soft spot) may not be fully closed
• Headache from excess — in some severe headaches with extreme pressure, direct stimulation may initially intensify discomfort; use gentler methods
• Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed practitioner
• People with bleeding disorders should avoid acupuncture at this point

Related Reading

• Yongquan (KD1) — the grounding counterpart
• Dazhui (GV14) — another key Governing Vessel point
• Mingmen (GV4) — the Gate of Life
• TCM Stress Relief