GV20 (Baihui) — Hundred Meetings

GV20, known as Baihui or Hundred Meetings, sits at the very crown of the head. It is traditionally used for headaches, dizziness, mental fatigue, a dip in focus, and the heavy-headed feeling that builds during long days.

At a Glance

Meridian	Governing Vessel (GV / Du)
Body region	Very top of the head, on the midline at the crown
Best for	Headaches, dizziness and brain fog, mental fatigue, focus, insomnia
Difficulty	Very easy to reach — press the crown with a fingertip or knuckle
Hold time	45–60 seconds
Frequency	1–3 times daily, or whenever focus dips
Pairs well with	Yintang, GB20 (Fengchi), HT7 (Shenmen)
Skip if	Recent head injury, broken or irritated skin on the scalp, or on an infant's soft fontanelle (see Precautions)

Why GV20 Matters

GV20 sits at the very top of the head, on the midline, where much of the day's strain collects. Tension headaches, dizziness, eye strain, and mental fatigue all have scalp targets, and the crown is the central hub. Its landmark is simple: the point where an imaginary line between the tips of the ears crosses the midline of the head.

In the traditional model, the scalp carries several yang meridians — the Governing Vessel runs up the midline toward GV20 — and these points regulate the flow of qi toward the head. As a meeting point of all yang channels, GV20 is traditionally used to clear heaviness, refresh the mind, and restore focus. In modern practice it is a favorite study or work point, pressed when concentration dips, and it is often combined with Yintang between the eyebrows and GB20 at the base of the skull for a complete head-and-neck reset. It also features in evening routines for sleep, paired with HT7 when a busy mind will not switch off.

Location

GV20 is on the very top of the head, along the midline, at the crown — about midway between the ears. Find it where an imaginary line drawn from the tip of one ear over the crown to the tip of the other crosses the midline. It lies on the Governing Vessel (Du Mai).

Three quick confirmations you have the right spot: (1) it is exactly on the midline of the head, on the crown; (2) an imaginary line between your ear tips crosses it; (3) pressing straight down produces a deep, dull, full sensation in the scalp — never sharp or on a sore spot.

When to Use GV20 (and When Not)

Use it when

• A tension headache or heavy-headed feeling builds during the day
• You feel foggy, unfocused, or mentally fatigued during study or work
• You feel dizzy or unsteady and need a grounding point
• Your mind races at night and you want a calming point before bed

Hold off if

• You recently hit your head or had any head trauma
• Headache is sudden, severe, or different from your usual pattern
• There is a cut, rash, or tenderness on the scalp at the crown
• The person is a baby or infant — never press on the soft fontanelle

Use the Hold off column as a safety filter: GV20 is a comfort practice for ordinary head tension and focus dips, not a response to a head injury or a sudden, severe headache.

Benefits & Uses

Headache relief: Traditional point for headaches accompanied by dizziness, brain fog, or a heavy-headed sensation.
Mental clarity and focus: Clears the head and sharpens focus, especially when concentration dips.
Dizziness: Classically used for dizziness and a foggy, unsteady head.
Mental fatigue: Traditionally used to clear heaviness and refresh the mind.
Sleep support: Used in evening routines, paired with HT7, when a busy mind keeps you awake.

How to Massage GV20

Settle into a quiet, upright position and keep pressure gentle on the head. The crown is soft tissue and skin over bone, so firm but kind pressure with the flat of a fingertip works best.

Place your index finger or knuckle firmly on the crown, on the midline.
Press at a 90-degree angle, increasing pressure slowly over 10–15 seconds until you feel a deep, dull ache (deqi).
Breathe evenly and hold for 45–60 seconds, using small circular motions or steady downward pressure.
Release gradually.
Repeat as needed — the headache routine closes with 60 seconds on the crown to clear lingering fog.

Common mistake to avoid: pressing hard enough to create tenderness or bruising on the scalp. The target sensation is a deep, dull, spreading fullness — if it feels sharp, or the spot stays sore afterward, use noticeably less force.

Combine GV20 with These Points

A full head-and-reset routine is more effective than pressing one point. Pick the row closest to your situation and work the points in the order shown, 30–60 seconds each.

Goal / symptom	Routine (in order)
Tension headache or heavy head	GV20 → GB20 → Yintang, 60s each, then rest quietly
Focus dip during study or work	GV20 → Yintang → LI4, then a 5-minute break away from screens
Dizziness or brain fog	GV20 → GB20 → PC6, holding each 60s for up to 3 minutes total
Busy mind before sleep	GV20 → HT7 → Yintang in bed, each 30–60s with slow exhales

For a fuller program, see the head acupressure points body guide, acupressure for headache, and acupressure for sleep.

What to Expect

First session (today)

The crown may feel tender, and most people notice a lighter, clearer-headed feeling within a few minutes. Dizziness and the heavy fog of a long day often ease quickly but can return. Do not expect a cure after one press.

Days 3–7 (consistent daily practice)

With a single midday and evening session, headaches often feel less intense and focus dips become easier to catch early. This matches the pattern in studies of acupressure for headache and tension, where benefits appear after several days of regular use.

Weeks 2–4

For recurring headaches or chronic mental fatigue, keep GV20 as one tool alongside sleep, hydration, and screen breaks. A headache that is sudden, severe, or unlike your usual pattern — or one that has not improved after 2–3 weeks — is a signal to see a clinician.

Science & Research

Evidence on acupressure for headache, stress, and sleep has grown in recent years. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials have examined acupressure as an adjunct for these conditions, with results that are generally promising but limited in quality. Meta-analyses tend to show a positive direction of effect for headache intensity and stress-related symptoms, though many of the included studies are small and their methodological quality varies considerably.

Researchers consistently note that acupressure trials are hard to blind, because the treatment is physical and participants can usually tell whether they are being treated. This makes it difficult to separate the specific effects of a particular point from the general benefits of touch, pressure, and relaxation. The overall picture — which we discuss in detail on our does acupressure work? review — is one of encouraging signals alongside a clear need for larger, higher-quality studies before firm conclusions can be drawn. Within this landscape, treat GV20 as a low-risk self-care tool for head tension and focus, not a proven treatment for migraine or a serious head condition.

Verifiable sources

Liao CC, Liao KR, Lin CL, Li JM. Effects of acupressure on sleep quality and psychological distress in nursing home residents: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2020;21(12):1958-1965. PMID 32409141
Chen HM, Wang HH, Chiu MH, Hu HM. Effects of acupressure on anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2022;28(5):514-524. PMID 35235358

The trials and reviews above evaluated acupressure for sleep and anxiety, the two uses of GV20. Neither is a study of GV20 in isolation.

Precautions

Keep pressure gentle and target soft tissue rather than bone.
Never press on the soft fontanelle area of an infant's scalp — this point is for adults and older children only.
Avoid GV20 after a recent head injury or trauma, and seek medical attention for any new head trauma.
Do not press through broken or irritated skin; stop if a spot feels sharp rather than achingly full.
Check with your clinician first if you take blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder.

Red Flags — See a Professional

Stop self-treatment and see a doctor if you notice any of the following:

A sudden, severe, or "worst headache of your life" feeling
A headache that follows a recent head injury, fall, or blow to the head
Headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, or difficulty speaking
Dizziness that is severe, keeps returning, or is accompanied by fainting or hearing loss
Headaches or dizziness that have not improved after 2–3 weeks of regular practice

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find GV20?

Draw an imaginary line from the tip of one ear over the crown to the tip of the other. GV20 sits where that line crosses the midline — the very top of the head, midway between the ears.

How long and how often should I press GV20?

Hold for 45–60 seconds, increasing pressure slowly over 10–15 seconds and aiming for a deep, dull sensation rather than pain, with small circular motions or steady pressure. Repeat 1–3 times a day, or whenever you notice a focus dip.

Can I press GV20 at work or while studying?

Yes — GV20 is on the crown of the head, easy to reach discreetly at a desk. Press for about a minute when concentration dips, then pair it with Yintang between the eyebrows and take a short break away from the screen.

Is GV20 safe during pregnancy?

GV20 is not among the classically avoided points, and gentle crown pressure is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider first, and keep the touch light and brief.

Does GV20 help with migraine or sleep?

GV20 is traditionally used to clear the head and is paired with GB20 and Yintang in routines for headaches and migraines — see our acupressure for migraine page. For sleep, combine it with HT7 before bed. It is not a substitute for medical care, and sudden or severe head pain needs a doctor.

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