GB20 Wind Pool

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

GB20 (Fengchi, “Wind Pool”) is the Meeting point of the Gallbladder and Yang Wei Mai point of the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located at the back of the neck, below the occiput, in the depression between the upper origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, level with GV16 (Fengfu). It expels exterior and interior wind, clears the head and eyes, benefits the ears, soothes the sinews, and activates the channel.

Location

At the back of the neck, below the occiput, in the depression between the upper origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, level with GV16 (Fengfu).

Needling

With the patient's head slightly flexed, direct the needle inferiorly and medially towards the tip of the nose, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Oblique insertion towards the contralateral eye is also used. Deep or superior insertion towards the medulla oblongata is strictly forbidden.

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TCM functions

Expels exterior and interior wind, clears the head and eyes, benefits the ears, soothes the sinews, and activates the channel..

Indications

Headache,unilateral and vertex headache, cold damage, warm disease, chills and fever, lack of sweating, wind-stroke, hemiplegia, qi obstruction with phlegm rising causing inability to speak, coma/critical condition, dizziness, unclear vision, tearing, redness and pain of the inner canthus, nasal congestion and nosebleed, blocked ears, sensation of the neck being pulled out, neck pain with inability to turn the head, pain in the lower back and back, stooped back pulling on neck sinews with weakness and lack of control, goiter qi, (malaria), epilepsy, falling down stiff, unresolved vexation after taking Gui Zhi Tang, horse yellow jaundice, all diseases of the head..

Meeting point of the Gallbladder and Yang Wei MaiMeeting point of the Gallbladder and Sanjiao channels

Clinical notes

Fengchi is a primary point for dispelling both external and internal wind, making it indispensable for conditions ranging from the common cold and influenza to severe neurological disorders like stroke and epilepsy. Its location at the junction of the head and neck allows it to treat headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, and eye disorders. As a key point on the Shaoyang channel, it is frequently used for alternating chills and fever, malaria, and conditions involving the ears.

On the Gallbladder Channel channel

GB20 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:

GB16GB17GB18GB19GB21GB22GB23GB24

Frequently asked questions

Where is GB20 located?

GB20 (Fengchi) is located at the back of the neck, below the occiput, in the depression between the upper origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, level with GV16 (Fengfu).

What is GB20 used for?

GB20 expels exterior and interior wind, clears the head and eyes, benefits the ears, soothes the sinews, and activates the channel. Common clinical indications include headache,unilateral and vertex headache, cold damage, warm disease, chills and fever, lack of sweating, wind-stroke, hemiplegia, qi obstruction with phlegm rising causing inability to speak, coma/critical condition, dizziness, unclear vision, tearing, redness and pain of the inner canthus, nasal congestion and nosebleed, blocked ears, sensation of the neck being pulled out, neck pain with inability to turn the head, pain in the lower back and back, stooped back pulling on neck sinews with weakness and lack of control, goiter qi, (malaria), epilepsy, falling down stiff, unresolved vexation after taking Gui Zhi Tang, horse yellow jaundice, all diseases of the head.

How is GB20 needled?

With the patient's head slightly flexed, direct the needle inferiorly and medially towards the tip of the nose, 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Oblique insertion towards the contralateral eye is also used. Deep or superior insertion towards the medulla oblongata is strictly forbidden. Caution: Close to the brainstem/spinal cord — never needle deeply or angle superomedially; direct the needle as standard (e.g. toward the opposite eye for GB20). Deep insertion can be fatal. The Jia Yi Jing warns against moxibustion on Tianyou without first needling another unspecified point, stating it can cause facial swelling and eye closure, but that needling Fengchi afterward can resolve this. This implies a close functional relationship and a need for caution in the region.

Which meridian is GB20 on?

GB20 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.