Location
In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with du16.
Cautions
Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.
Indications
Conditions for which GB20 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Arthritis ShoulderArthritis ShoulderBenefit EyesBenefit EyesBenefit HeadBenefit HeadBenefit Sense OrgansBenefit Sense OrgansChillsNasal CongestionNasal CongestionDeafnessDeviation EyeDeviation EyeFacial DroopFacial DroopNasal DischargeNasal DischargeDisease Febrile WarmDisease Febrile WarmDizzinessEpilepsyEyesight / Vision BlurredBlurred VisionEyesight / Vision DimDim VisionEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionEyesight / Vision Night BlindnessNight Blindness VisionFeverGoiterHemiplegiaHigh Blood PressureHigh Blood PressureStiff NeckUnable to Turn NeckImmobility NeckImmobility Neck TurningInjury ColdInjury ColdInsomniaLachrymation Wind ExposureLachrymation Wind ExposureMalariaMemory LossMemory LossNosebleedObstruction EarObstruction EarPainEye PainEye PainEye Canthus Medial PainEye Canthus Medial PainHeadacheHeadacheMigraineHeadache One-sided PainNeck PainNeck PainNeck Superior PainNeck Superior PainShoulder PainShoulder PainLumbar Spine PainLumbar Spine PainPain Around NavelPain Around NavelPharyngitisRed EyesRed EyesEye Canthus Medial RednessEye Canthus Medial RednessRhinitisScoliosis Spine LumbarScoliosis Spine LumbarChannel StagnationChannel StagnationStressSpontaneous SweatingSpontaneous SweatingFacial SwellingFacial SwellingTetanusTinnitusHivesVoice Loss WindstrokeVoice Loss WindstrokeNeck Tendon Ligament WeaknessNeck Tendon / Ligament WeaknessSpine Lumbar WeaknessSpine Lumbar WeaknessWindWind HeadWind Head
Protocols using GB20
- Nasal Congestion, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Eye Itching, Rhinitis Allergic Seasonal, Rhinorrhoea, Eye Watering – LI04, LI11, LI20, GB20 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-021-00536-w)
- Headache Frontal, Head Forehead Pain, Headache Migraine – LI04, ST44, GB08, GB20 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-361)
- Hemiplegia, Motor Dysfunction, Ischemic Stroke, Neurological Impairment – LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, GB20, GB33, GB39, GV20 (Wu P, Zeng F, Li YX, Li J, Qiu LH, Qin W, Luo L, Yin CX, Xiong Y, Bai Y, Wang D, Zhou YM, Liang FR. Effect of acupuncture plus conventional treatment on brain activity in ischemic stroke patients: a regional homogeneity analysis. J Tradit Chin Med. 2017; 37(5): 650-658.)
- Vomiting, Nausea, Headache Migraine, Headache Unilateral, Sensitivity Light, Sensitivity Sound – TB05, GB08, GB20, GB34, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S546838)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia, Facial Pain – LI04, LI10, LI20, ST02, ST07, ST08, TB17, GB02, GB14, GB20, CV24 (https://doi.org/10.13729/j.issn.1671-7813.Z20180246)
- Cognitive Impairment Post-stroke, Dementia Prevention, Stroke Ischemic Sequelae – ST02, ST40, SP06, HT07, BL10, PC06, GB12, GB20, LV03, GV20, GV26 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000023803)
- Shoulder Pain, Neck Pain, Stiffness Neck, Limited-range-of-motion Cervical – LI11, BL10, TB05, GB20 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1701076)
- Headache Frontal, Headache Tension-type, Forehead Pain – LI04, ST44, GB20, GV20, XH03, XH05 (https://doi.org/10.1177/02692155241229282)
- Neck Pain, Neck Acute Pain – LI16, SI14, SI15, BL10, TB15, GB20, GV14 (https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000022871)
- Sweating, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Insomnia, Irritability, Hot Flashes, Vaginal Dryness, Dyspareunia, Bone Pain, Menstrual Irregularity, Perimenopausal Syndrome – LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, SI19, KD03, KD07, GB20, GB34, GB39, LV03, LV05, CV04, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-15-198)
- Headache Migraine, Migraine Without Aura – LI04, ST36, SP06, PC06, GB14, GB20, LV03, CV12, GV20 (https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-4610.2002.02203.x)
- Memory Impairment, Cognitive Impairment Mild – KD03, GB20, GV20, GV24 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05296-4)