GV20 (Baihui / Hundred Meetings) Acupuncture Point Guide:

Practitioner Guide from The Acupuncture Supply Co.
Professional acupuncture supplies and practical clinical resources for qualified practitioners in Ireland and across Europe.

GV20, also written as DU20 and known as Baihui (“Hundred Meetings”), is a central point of the Governor Vessel at the vertex of the head. Within traditional East Asian medicine, it is associated with the convergence of Yang, the head and brain, the Shen, internal Wind and the raising of clear Yang.

Although the point has a clear surface location, accurate proportional measurement and palpation remain important. Scalp condition, cranial history, medication, patient positioning and individual anatomy should all inform the practitioner’s choice of technique. This guide is a concise professional reference rather than a universal needling prescription.

GV20 Baihui quick reference

Point name	GV20 / DU20 — Baihui (“Hundred Meetings”)
Vessel	Governor Vessel (Du Mai)
Classification	Governor Vessel point; traditionally described as a meeting point of multiple Yang channels
Region	Vertex of the head
Laterality	Single midline point
Core landmark	On the anterior median line, 5 B-cun superior to the anterior hairline

Location of GV20 Baihui

The World Health Organization standard locates GV20 on the head, 5 B-cun superior to the anterior hairline, on the anterior median line. It is 1 B-cun anterior to the midpoint of the line between the anterior and posterior hairlines. As a cross-check, when the ears are folded forward, GV20 corresponds approximately to the midpoint of the line connecting the two auricular apices.

How to locate GV20

1. Position the patient comfortably with the head supported and the scalp accessible.
2. Identify the anterior median line and the midpoint of the natural anterior hairline.
3. Measure 5 B-cun posteriorly along the midline from the anterior hairline. This is equivalent to 7 B-cun anterior to the posterior hairline when the standard 12 B-cun scalp measurement is applicable.
4. Cross-check the level using a line connecting the folded auricular apices.
5. Palpate gently to confirm the midline and local tissue condition before selecting any technique.

Use proportional measurement rather than treating the visible crown, a hair whorl or the apparent highest point of the skull as a reliable substitute. Hairlines, ear height, cranial shape and left-right symmetry vary. GV20 should not be confused with GV19, located 1.5 B-cun posterior to it, or GV21, located 1.5 B-cun anterior to it.

Traditional functions of GV20

Within traditional East Asian medicine, GV20 is commonly described as having the following functions:

• Raises Yang and lifts sinking Qi.
• Pacifies internal Wind and subdues rising Yang when selected within an appropriate pattern strategy.
• Benefits the head and sensory orifices.
• Clears and calms the Shen.
• Supports the Sea of Marrow in traditional theory.
• Regulates the Governor Vessel.
• Helps restore clear Yang to the head within deficiency presentations.

These are traditional descriptions used in acupuncture theory. They should not be interpreted as claims that GV20 has been proven to diagnose, prevent or cure any medical or neurological condition.

Traditional clinical applications

GV20 may be considered within an individualised treatment plan when assessment and pattern differentiation indicate presentations involving:

• Vertex or generalised headache patterns.
• Dizziness or a sensation of heaviness in the head within a relevant traditional diagnosis.
• Internal Wind or rising Yang patterns.
• Agitation, mental restlessness or disturbed Shen.
• Fatigue, mental clouding or poor concentration associated with a deficiency pattern.
• Sinking Qi presentations, including traditional strategies for prolapse.
• Neurological rehabilitation protocols when used alongside appropriate medical care and within the practitioner’s training and scope.

Headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, altered consciousness and changes in speech, vision, balance or coordination can indicate conditions requiring urgent medical assessment. GV20 should never be used as a stand-alone response to new, severe, unexplained or progressive neurological symptoms.

Common point combinations

Depending on the presentation and treatment principles, GV20 is traditionally combined with points such as:

• GV20 + LV3: traditionally considered where internal Wind or rising Liver Yang is part of the pattern.
• GV20 + GB20: used in strategies involving the head, dizziness, Wind or occipital tension.
• GV20 + HT7: considered when calming the Shen and settling mental restlessness are treatment priorities.
• GV20 + Yintang: commonly selected in calming strategies and presentations involving mental overactivity.
• GV20 + ST36: considered where lifting and supporting Qi forms part of the traditional treatment principle.
• GV20 + Sishencong: used in some head, cognitive and neurological rehabilitation strategies.

These combinations are traditional examples, not fixed prescriptions. Point selection, laterality, stimulation and sequencing should follow the complete presentation, the treatment principle and the practitioner’s accredited training.

Anatomy and practitioner notes

• GV20 lies in the midline scalp at the vertex, usually over or close to the sagittal suture.
• The scalp includes skin, dense connective tissue, the epicranial aponeurosis, loose areolar tissue and pericranium over the skull.
• The scalp is vascular, so minor bleeding or bruising can occur even with careful technique.
• Inspect and palpate for lesions, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, bruising, scarring, altered sensation or an unexpected contour.
• Ask about significant head trauma, cranial surgery, craniectomy, skull defects, implanted plates, reservoirs, shunts or other hardware that may alter the local anatomy or infection risk.
• Consider anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, bleeding disorders, frailty, vasovagal history and other patient-specific risk factors.
• Hair should be parted so the skin can be inspected and the clean-field procedure can be maintained.
• Document assessment, consent, position, point selection, technique and response in accordance with applicable professional standards.

Needling and essential safety

GV20 is a scalp point for use by appropriately trained practitioners. Needling angle, depth and stimulation should be selected according to accredited training, the patient’s anatomy, scalp condition, health history and intended treatment strategy. This guide deliberately does not provide a universal angle or depth.

• Do not needle through infected, inflamed, wounded, ulcerated or otherwise unsuitable scalp tissue.
• Do not needle over a known cranial defect, unhealed surgical site, implanted cranial device, reservoir, shunt pathway or uncertain post-surgical anatomy without appropriate specialist clarification.
• Use particular caution after recent head injury or surgery and where sensation is altered.
• Avoid excessive depth, aggressive manipulation or forcing a needle against firm resistance.
• Use sterile, single-use needles and appropriate hand hygiene, clean-field and sharps-disposal procedures.
• Stop and reassess if the patient experiences unusual severe pain, marked dizziness, faintness, neurological symptoms or another unexpected response.

Acupuncture is generally associated with a low rate of serious adverse events when performed competently, but minor bleeding, bruising, local pain and vasovagal reactions can occur. Rare infections associated with scalp acupuncture have also been reported, reinforcing the importance of screening, skin inspection, sterile equipment and careful management of patients with implanted cranial devices.

When urgent medical assessment takes priority

Follow local emergency and referral procedures when a patient has a sudden severe or unfamiliar headache, new facial asymmetry, weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, double vision or sudden visual loss, loss of coordination, collapse, seizure, altered consciousness, repeated vomiting after head injury, fever with neck stiffness or another acute neurological warning sign. Acupuncture must not delay emergency assessment for suspected stroke, intracranial injury or infection.

Research note

GV20 is frequently included in multi-point acupuncture and scalp-acupuncture research involving neurological rehabilitation, cognition, mood and sleep. This does not establish the independent effect of GV20. A widely cited 2014 review of GV20-based acupuncture examined experimental ischaemic-stroke studies in animals, not clinical proof in humans; the included studies also varied in quality and showed possible publication bias. Clinical claims should therefore remain condition-specific, evidence-aware and clearly separated from traditional indications.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is GV20 located?

GV20 is on the anterior midline of the head, 5 B-cun superior to the anterior hairline. It can be cross-checked at approximately the midpoint of the line connecting the folded auricular apices.

What does Baihui mean?

Baihui is usually translated as “Hundred Meetings” or “Hundred Convergences”. The name reflects the point’s traditional association with the convergence of Yang channels at the top of the head.

Are GV20 and DU20 the same point?

Yes. GV20 and DU20 are two commonly used English abbreviations for the same point on the Governor Vessel, or Du Mai.

Is GV20 a bilateral point?

No. GV20 is a single point on the anterior median line. Nearby points such as the four Sishencong points have a different location and should not be confused with GV20.

Can patients use this guide for self-needling?

No. This is a professional reference, not a self-needling guide. Scalp needling requires appropriate training, clinical screening, sterile technique and knowledge of individual anatomy and medical history.

Can GV20 be used for every headache or episode of dizziness?

No. Point selection depends on assessment and pattern differentiation, while new, severe or progressive headache, dizziness or neurological symptoms may require urgent medical investigation.

Continue exploring Project Lotus

Visit our Acupuncture Point Guides, read our GB20 Fengchi Guide, explore our HT7 Shenmen Guide, or browse our collection of professional acupuncture needles.

Practitioners can also compare our ORCA silver-handle needles with guide tube and ORCA copper-handle needles with guide tube.

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Professional disclaimer: This article is provided for qualified acupuncture and healthcare practitioners for general educational purposes. Traditional actions and applications describe established acupuncture theory and are not claims of proven clinical efficacy. The content is not medical advice, does not replace accredited training and should not be used as a universal treatment protocol. Practitioners remain responsible for assessment, consent, safe technique, infection control, record keeping, referral and compliance with their professional and legal obligations.

Reference standards and safety reading:
World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region.
World Health Organization. Guidelines on Basic Training and Safety in Acupuncture.
Huang CC, et al. Acupuncture: A Review of the Safety and Adverse Events and the Strategy of Potential Risk Prevention.
Wang WW, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture in experimental ischaemic stroke.
Kim E, et al. A pericatheter abscess following acupuncture in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety.