Location
Anterior and inferior to the external malleolus in the depression on the lateral side of the tendon of the extensor digitorum longus.
No specific contraindications.
Indications
Conditions for which GB40 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.
Muscle WastingBenefit JointsBenefit Regulate Qi LiverBenefit Regulate ShaoyangChillsCommon ColdCramping LegShan DisorderChest BloatingCostal Lateral BloatingBreathing Shortness Of Breath ProblemsEyesight / Vision PoorPoor VisionEyesight / Vision Superficial ObstructionSuperficial Obstruction VisionFeverHardness Abdomen InferiorHeat GallbladderHerpes ZosterFoot Drop StiffnessImmobility Foot DropMalaria ChronicPainChest PainRib PainEye PainMigraineHeadache One-sided PainHip PainLeg PainLeg Inferior PainNeck PainLumbar Spine PainWrist PainParalysisPharyngitis RednessRefluxRegulate Qi LiverRegulate ShaoyangSciaticaShiveringSighing ExcessiveChannel Stagnation SwellingAnkle Lateral SwellingArmpit SwellingNeck SwellingBi Arthralgia Leg SyndromeBi / Arthralgia Leg SyndromeDamp Heat SyndromeDamp-heat SyndromeVomitingAnkle WeaknessStroke
Protocols using GB40
The 50 best-sourced of 72, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.
- Vomiting, Nausea, Photophobia, Headache Migraine, Headache Unilateral, Phonophobia – LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, PC06, TB05, TB20, GB08, GB13, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-25 ↗)
- Nausea, Bloating, Heartburn, Dyspepsia Functional, Abdominal Pain Epigastric, Early Satiety, Postprandial Fullness – GB34, GB36, GB37, GB40 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-75 ↗)
- Fatigue Cancer-related, Fatigue Post-treatment, Cancer Breast, Myofascial Pain, Musculoskeletal Pain – LI04, ST36, SP06, SI03, BL62, KD03, TB05, GB20, GB29, GB30, GB40, GB43 (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-11-49 ↗)
- Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle, Ankle Swelling – LI04, ST36, ST41, SP04, SP05, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL60, BL62, BL63, BL64, KD02, KD03, KD06, GB34, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241 ↗)
- Constipation, Aphasia, Ischemic Stroke, Paralysis Hemiplegia – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST25, ST36, ST40, SP06, GB30, GB34, GB40, CV23, GV15, GV20 (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-216 ↗)
- Tinnitus, Tinnitus Subjective – TB03, TB05, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB40, GB41, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-13-224 ↗)
- Headache Migraine, Headache Vertex, Head Crown Pain – GB08, GB20, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-361 ↗)
- Vomiting, Nausea, Head Pain, Headache Migraine Menstrual – LI04, ST29, ST44, SI03, BL60, KD12, PC06, TB05, TB20, GB08, GB13, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, CV03, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-374 ↗)
- Headache Migraine – GB40 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60030-3 ↗)
- Nausea, Photophobia, Headache Migraine, Headache Unilateral, Phonophobia, Headache Pulsating – TB05, GB20, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099538 ↗)
- Low Back Pain, Lower Limb Pain, Lumbar Disc Herniation, Radiculopathy Lumbar – BL25, BL40, GB30, GB34, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1155/2014/154941 ↗)
- Tinnitus, Tinnitus Liver-yang-hyperactivity – SI19, TB21, GB02, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-397 ↗)
- Nausea, Headache Post-dural-puncture, Headache Bilateral, Photosensitivity, Occiput Pain – LI04, ST36, SP06, GB21, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2015.010 ↗)
- Stroke Sequelae, Gait Impaired, Foot Cavovarus, Spasticity Lower-limb – SP06, SP09, BL60, KD03, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1264-x ↗)
- Headache Migraine, Migraine Without Aura – TB05, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.05.013 ↗)
- Headache Migraine Chronic, Headache Jueyin – GB08, GB13, GB20, GB40, LV03, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020653 ↗)
- Shoulder Pain, Arm Pain, Neck Pain, Arm Numbness, Radiculopathy Cervical – LI04, ST44, SI03, BL60, TB05, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV14 (doi:10.1155/2018/3465897 ↗)
- Ankle Pain, Ankle Swelling, Sprain Ankle Lateral – ST36, ST41, BL60, BL62, KD03, KD06, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1186/s13063-020-4111-z ↗)
- Ankle Pain, Ankle Swelling, Sprain Ankle Lateral, Instability Ankle – ST36, ST41, BL60, BL62, KD03, KD06, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05135-6 ↗)
- Nausea, Photophobia, Headache Migraine, Headache Unilateral, Phonophobia – LI04, TB05, GB08, GB20, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000386 ↗)
- Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Itching, Itchiness Skin, Pruritus, Prurigo Nodularis, Pruritus Chronic – LI04, LI11, ST25, ST36, ST42, SP06, SP10, SI04, BL17, BL64, TB04, TB05, GB20, GB40, CV06, CV12, GV14, GV16, GV20, GV24 (doi:10.2147/CCID.S336109 ↗)
- Stroke Hemiplegia, Paralysis Limb, Gait Disturbance, Balance Dysfunction – ST36, ST44, SP06, GB30, GB31, GB37, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037784 ↗)
- Paralysis Upper Limb, Stroke Sequelae, Motor Dysfunction Upper Limb, Spasticity Upper Limb – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI13, LI14, LI15, ST34, ST40, SP09, SP10, KD03, TB05, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.1136/spcare-2024-005174 ↗)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Joint Pain, Inflammation Joint – LI05, LI11, LI15, ST36, SP05, SP09, HT03, SI05, SI08, BL40, BL62, KD06, PC07, TB04, TB10, TB14, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.1186/s12906-025-04891-1 ↗)
- Dizziness, Limb Weakness, Dysarthria, Speech Impairment, Balance Impaired, Ataxia Cerebellar, Gait Instability, Tremor Intention – GB12, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045895 ↗)
- Contracture Knee, Brachial Plexus Injury, Muscle Atrophy, Paralysis Upper Extremity, Paralysis Lower Extremity, Contracture Ankle, Contracture Shoulder, Contracture Elbow, Scoliosis, Neuromotor Impairment, Steppage Gait – LU01, LI04, LI05, LI11, LI14, ST34, ST36, ST41, SP09, SP10, SI05, SI06, SI07, SI09, BL11, BL12, BL22, BL23, BL24, BL25, BL26, BL36, BL37, BL39, BL55, BL56, BL57, BL58, BL60, BL61, BL62, KD03, KD04, KD05, KD06, TB09, GB20, GB21, GB40 (doi:10.3831/KPI.2013.16.009 ↗)
- Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Asthma Intermittent, Asthma Mild – LU01, LU05, LU07, LU09, LU11, LI04, LI06, LI20, ST13, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT03, HT05, HT07, SI03, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, KD06, KD08, KD27, PC06, TB05, TB15, GB03, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV02, LV03, LV08, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV17, CV21, GV04, GV13 (doi:10.1186/s13052-015-0155-1 ↗)
- Fatigue, Anxiety, Nausea, Neuropathic Pain, Neuropathy Peripheral Chemotherapy-induced, Dysesthesia Oral – LI04, LI10, ST36, SP06, PC06, GB40, LV03, GV20 (doi:10.1016/j.cct.2023.107273 ↗)
- Chemotherapy Nausea, Vomiting Chemotherapy-induced, Nausea Anticipatory, Vomiting Acute, Vomiting Delayed – LU09, LI04, ST36, SP06, HT07, SI04, KD03, PC06, GB40, LV14, CV12 (doi:10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2023-0191en ↗)
- Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle – ST36, ST41, SP05, GB34, GB40, LV04 (doi:10.3831/kpi.2005.8.2.011 ↗)
- Hypochondriac Pain, Colic Gallbladder – ST36, BL18, BL19, GB24, GB34, GB40, LV03, LV14 (doi:10.1016/j.jtcms.2025.09.006 ↗)
- Insomnia, And Gallbladder Qi Heart Deficiency – BL15, BL19, GB40 (doi:10.1155/ijcp/6940576 ↗)
- Stroke Sequelae, Stroke Post, Paralysis Ankle, Ankle Joint Problems, Ankle Dysfunction – ST31, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST40, ST41, SP10, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2024.000593 ↗)
- Stroke Sequelae, Stroke Post, Paralysis Ankle, Ankle Joint Problems, Ankle Dysfunction – ST31, ST34, ST36, ST37, ST40, ST41, SP10, BL39, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.27127/d.cnki.ghlzu.2024.000593 ↗)
- Ankle Pain, Sprain Ankle Chronic, Ankle Problems – ST41, BL60, BL62, KD06, GB40 (doi:10.16448/j.cjtcm.2017.0181 ↗)
- Gait Impairment, Balance Disorder, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – ST36, SP06, SP09, GB34, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.19917/j.cnki.1005-0779.024045 ↗)
- Hemiplegia Post-stroke, Foot Drop, Ankle Mobility Reduced, Lower Limb Motor Dysfunction – ST36, ST37, ST41, SP06, GB20, GB34, GB39, GB40, GV20 (doi:10.27465/d.cnki.gzzyc.2020.000412 ↗)
- Paralysis Lower Limb, Foot Inversion Post-stroke – SP06, KD06, GB34, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.13460/j.issn.1005-0957.2023.13.0015 ↗)
- Paralysis Lower Limb, Stroke Sequelae, Gait Impairment, Gait Disturbance, Foot Drop, Gait Dysfunction Post-stroke – ST36, ST41, GB34, GB39, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240115-k0004 ↗)
- Headache Migraine – LI04, GB08, GB20, GB40, GB41, LV03 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2014.10.004 ↗)
- Headache Migraine – GB04, GB08, GB20, GB34, GB40, GB41 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2014.10.004 ↗)
- Headache Migraine – TB05, GB20, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.13194/j.jlunivtcm.2009.12.136.yegx.058 ↗)
- Headache, Migraine, Headache Frontal, Migraine Without Aura – TB05, GB34, GB40 (doi:10.1177/0333102416641665 ↗)
- Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, Hearing Loss Sensorineural, Sudden Hearing Loss – SI19, TB03, TB17, TB21, GB02, GB40, LV03 (doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101087 ↗)
- Vision Blurred, Macular Edema, Retinal Disease – ST02, SI06, BL01, BL02, GB14, GB34, GB37, GB40 (doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1717145 ↗)
- Stroke, Hemiplegia, Leg Weakness, Spasticity, Balance Impaired, Spasticity Post-stroke, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – SP09, BL59, KD06, KD08, GB33, GB34, GB40, LV08 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20250680 ↗)
- Stroke Sequelae, Motor Impairment, Gait Disturbance, Spasticity Lower Limb – LI04, LI11, LI15, ST41, GB34, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240411-k0001 ↗)
- Dysarthria, Ataxia, Ataxia Cerebellar, Gait Instability – GB12, GB20, GB34, GB40, LV03, GV20, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045895 ↗)
- Paralysis Spastic, Stroke Post-stroke, Spasticity Upper Limb, Muscle Hypertonia – LI04, LI10, LI11, LI13, LI14, LI15, ST34, ST40, SP09, SP10, KD03, TB05, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV03, XU09A, XU09B, XU09C, XU09D, XU09E, XU09F, XU09G, XU09H, XU12 (doi:10.1136/spcare-2024-005174 ↗)
- Balance Impaired, Gait Disturbance, Hemiplegia Post-stroke – ST36, ST44, SP06, GB30, GB31, GB37, GB39, GB40 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000037784 ↗)
Most often selected alongside GB40
How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with GB40. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.
- GB34Yang Mound Spring41 protocols
- LV03Great Surge27 protocols
- LI04Junction Valley24 protocols
- ST36Leg Three Miles24 protocols
- TB05Outer Gate20 protocols
- GB39Suspended Bell18 protocols
- SP06Three Yin Intersection18 protocols
- GB20Wind Pool17 protocols
- KD06Shining Sea16 protocols
- ST41Dividing Cleft15 protocols
- BL60Kunlun (Mountains)14 protocols
- GV20100 Convergences13 protocols
