Location and Benefits of the Baihui Acupuncture Point

Baihui (GV20) is one of the important acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) meridian theory. It is located on the vertex of the head, at the midpoint of the head's midline where it intersects with a transverse line connecting the tips of both ears—this is the highest point on the top of the head. Baihui belongs to the Governor Vessel (Du Meridian), which governs the body's yang energy, and it functions to regulate qi and blood throughout the body, calm the mind, relieve mental disorders, and promote alertness and clarity of thought. Baihui has multiple therapeutic effects. It can open the orifices and refresh the brain, restore yang and secure the body against collapse, and is especially effective for symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and tinnitus. Additionally, Baihui can extinguish internal wind, refresh the brain, elevate yang energy, and prevent prolapse; thus, it serves as an effective adjunct in treating conditions such as stroke, aphasia, and rectal prolapse. Moreover, Baihui represents the area where the body's yang energy is most abundant. Stimulating this point through massage, moxibustion, or acupuncture can refresh the mind, increase blood supply to brain tissue, alleviate symptoms, improve circulation, dilate blood vessels, enhance cerebral blood flow, and help prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and hypertension. Stimulation of Baihui can also enhance immune function, helping to prevent colds and influenza. In TCM treatments, Baihui is commonly used in therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and cupping, and has demonstrated certain therapeutic effects for various diseases. These procedures should be performed by qualified practitioners to ensure safety and effectiveness.