GB30 (Huantiao, “Huantiao”) is the Meeting point of GB & UB point of the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located on the postero-lateral aspect of the hip, in a depression located at the junction of the lateral one-third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the prominence of the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus. The point is most easily found with the patient in a side-lying position with the upper leg flexed at the hip and the lower leg extended. It expels wind, dampness, and cold from the channel; strengthens the lower back and legs; unblocks the channel and alleviates pain; treats disorders of the hip and lower limb.
On the postero-lateral aspect of the hip, in a depression located at the junction of the lateral one-third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the prominence of the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus. The point is most easily found with the patient in a side-lying position with the upper leg flexed at the hip and the lower leg extended.
Perpendicular insertion, 2.0 to 3.5 cun deep, directed towards the genitals. Deep needling may elicit a sensation that radiates down the leg, indicating proximity to the sciatic nerve.
Expels wind, dampness, and cold from the channel; strengthens the lower back and legs; unblocks the channel and alleviates pain; treats disorders of the hip and lower limb.
Cold wind and damp impediment (bi-syndrome), hemiplegia, wind rash, pain and stiffness of the hip and thigh, difficulty flexing and extending the knee, inability to stand, sciatica, pain in the hip joint that prevents turning, pain in the lower back and hip, pain in the chest and ribs, pain in the loins and (hip/crotch) region, pain in the loins and legs, leg qi, pain in the hip joint that makes it impossible to lift the leg, numbness and paralysis of the leg, pain in the shin that prevents flexion and extension, pain in the loins and hips that makes it difficult to get up from a sitting position, pain in the hip and knee, pain in the loins and legs with difficulty kneeling or rising, pain in the chest and ribs with no fixed location, pain in the loins and ribs with a pulling sensation, pain in the hip and thigh with contraction of the sinews, pain in the shin, numbness and impediment of the leg, pain in the hip and thigh making it difficult to turn, stretch, or bend, pain in the loins and legs with cold and damp impediment, pain in the loins and legs with difficulty moving, pain in the loins and legs with foot pain, pain in the hip and axilla, long-standing dysentery with pain in the loins, hips, spine, and thigh.
Huantiao is a primary and indispensable point for treating disorders of the hip, buttock, and leg, especially sciatica and pain radiating along the Gallbladder channel. Its ability to expel wind-damp makes it effective for bi-syndrome affecting the lower body, hemiplegia, and post-stroke paralysis. The classical texts repeatedly emphasize its use for restoring mobility, treating pain that makes it difficult to stand, walk, or turn. It is also noted for treating wind rash, demonstrating its function in expelling wind from the entire body.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之一·神照集 · 足少陽膽經圖穴十八 · 足少陽膽經所發四十四穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
環跳二穴，一名髖骨，一名分中。 在髀樞中，側臥，屈上足，伸下足，以左手按穴，右手搖撼取之，穴在陷中According to this text, GB30, also called Kuangu or Fenzhong, lies in the hip pivot; it is located lying on the side with the upper leg bent and the lower leg straight, pressing the point with the left hand and rocking the leg with the right, and it lies in the depression.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十六 · 針灸門 · 足少陽膽經左右三十穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
環跳二穴 髀樞中側。 臥伸下足屈上足取之。 灸五十壯。 針一寸。 留十呼According to this text, GB30 lies in the hip pivot and is located lying on the side with the lower leg straight and the upper leg bent. It gives 50 moxa cones, needling 1 cun and retention for 10 breaths.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
環跳，在髀樞中，側臥伸下足，屈上足取之，足少陽脈氣所發，刺入一寸，留二十呼，灸五十壯According to this text, GB30 lies in the hip pivot, located lying on the side with the lower leg straight and the upper leg bent, where the qi of the foot Shaoyang emerges. Needling is 1 cun, retained for 20 breaths, with 50 moxa cones.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之一 · 周身名位經脈骨度 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
髖俠髖之臼名曰機又名髀樞外接股之髀骨也即環跳穴處此一處五名也According to this text, the socket at the side of the hip is called ji or bishu and joins the thigh bone on the outside; this is the place of GB30, a single spot known by five names.
GB30 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB30 (Huantiao) is located on the postero-lateral aspect of the hip, in a depression located at the junction of the lateral one-third and medial two-thirds of the distance between the prominence of the greater trochanter and the sacral hiatus. The point is most easily found with the patient in a side-lying position with the upper leg flexed at the hip and the lower leg extended.
GB30 expels wind, dampness, and cold from the channel; strengthens the lower back and legs; unblocks the channel and alleviates pain; treats disorders of the hip and lower limb. Common clinical indications include cold wind and damp impediment (bi-syndrome), hemiplegia, wind rash, pain and stiffness of the hip and thigh, difficulty flexing and extending the knee, inability to stand, sciatica, pain in the hip joint that prevents turning, pain in the lower back and hip, pain in the chest and ribs, pain in the loins and (hip/crotch) region, pain in the loins and legs, leg qi, pain in the hip joint that makes it impossible to lift the leg, numbness and paralysis of the leg, pain in the shin that prevents flexion and extension, pain in the loins and hips that makes it difficult to get up from a sitting position, pain in the hip and knee, pain in the loins and legs with difficulty kneeling or rising, pain in the chest and ribs with no fixed location, pain in the loins and ribs with a pulling sensation, pain in the hip and thigh with contraction of the sinews, pain in the shin, numbness and impediment of the leg, pain in the hip and thigh making it difficult to turn, stretch, or bend, pain in the loins and legs with cold and damp impediment, pain in the loins and legs with difficulty moving, pain in the loins and legs with foot pain, pain in the hip and axilla, long-standing dysentery with pain in the loins, hips, spine, and thigh.
Perpendicular insertion, 2.0 to 3.5 cun deep, directed towards the genitals. Deep needling may elicit a sensation that radiates down the leg, indicating proximity to the sciatic nerve. Caution: One source warns that pain at the Huantiao point may indicate a developing 'fugu ju' (abscess near the bone). Modern anatomy indicates the sciatic nerve lies deep to this point; care must be taken to avoid direct injury to the nerve.
GB30 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).