Acupuncture Points for Headache Migraine

73 sourced protocols, each with its citation.

Each card names its evidence kind. What these labels mean

Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · GB20 · GV16 · GV20 · XH05

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GV16Wind Mansion

GV16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風府 (fēng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Heat Chest, Anxiety, Sweating, Dizziness

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)

XH05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太陽 (tài yáng)

🎯 Location: At the temple, in the tender depression the approximately 1 thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the lateral extremity of the eyebrow & the outer canthus of the eye.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Heat, Wind, Swelling, Pain

Study-reported

Needling · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.55454 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB20, GV16, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103168 ↗
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Protocol (5 points)

100%

LI04 · GB20 · GV16 · GV20 · XH05

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GV16Wind Mansion

GV16 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風府 (fēng fǔ)

🎯 Location: 1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the posterior hairline directly below external occipital protuberance in the depression the between trapezius of the both sides.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution; proximity to foramen magnum.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Heat Chest, Anxiety, Sweating, Dizziness

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)

XH05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Extra Points: Head

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太陽 (tài yáng)

🎯 Location: At the temple, in the tender depression the approximately 1 thumb width posterior to the midpoint between the lateral extremity of the eyebrow & the outer canthus of the eye.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with temporal artery.

🛡️ Treats: Dizziness, Heat, Wind, Swelling, Pain

Study-reported

Needling · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.55454 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, GB20, GV16, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103168 ↗
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60 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (3 points)

100%

TB05 · GB20 · GB34

TB05Outer Gate

TB05 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Triple Burner Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 外關 (wài guān)

🎯 Location: 2 thumb widths proximal to the dorsal crease of the wrist on the line connecting TB04 and tip of the olecranon the between radius and ulna.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Sweating, Kidney Deficiency, Dizziness, Tinnitus

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GB34Yang Mound Spring

GB34 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陽陵泉 (yáng líng quán)

🎯 Location: In the depression the anterior and inferior to the head of the fibula.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Knee Pain, Jaundice, Constipation, Vomiting

Study-reported

Needling

Did better than another treatment

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-123 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. TB05, GB20, GB34 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1097/NRL.0000000000000386 ↗
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Protocol (3 points)

100%

GB08 · GB20 · GV20

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

GV20100 Convergences

GV20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Governing Vessel

🇨🇳 Chinese: 百會 (bǎi huì)

🎯 Location: On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Chest Pain, Palpitations, Jaundice, Qi Deficiency

Study-reported

Needling · 12 sessions over 4 weeks

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1002/brb3.70536 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. GB08, GB20, GV20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1111/jebm.70059 ↗
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36 needles for this course · 1 box, $19.99

Protocol (6 points)

100%

ST08 · SP06 · SP09 · GB08 · GB20 · LV02

ST08Head Corner

ST08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Stomach Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 頭維 (tóu wéi)

🎯 Location: On the lateral side of the head, 0.5 thumb widths above the anterior hairline at the corner of the forehead & 4.5 thumb widths lateral to the midline of the head.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Shortness of Breath, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind

SP06Three Yin Intersection

SP06 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 三陰交 (sān yīn jiāo)

🎯 Location: 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Diarrhea, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Palpitations, Abdominal Bloating

SP09Yin Mound Spring

SP09 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Spleen Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 陰陵泉 (yīn líng quán)

🎯 Location: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia.

⚠️ Cautions: Avoid in cases of knee inflammation.

🛡️ Treats: Heat Chest, Fever, Diarrhea, Shortness of Breath, Jaundice

GB08Leading Valley

GB08 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 率谷 (shuài gǔ)

🎯 Location: Superior to the apex of the auricle 1.5 thumb widths within the hairline.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications for head points.

🛡️ Treats: Phlegm, Dizziness, Vomiting, Wind, Pain

GB20Wind Pool

GB20 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Gallbladder Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 風池 (fēng chí)

🎯 Location: In the depression the between upper portion of the scm and trapezius on the same level with GV16.

⚠️ Cautions: Caution with vertebral artery; avoid deep perpendicular needling.

🛡️ Treats: Stress, Fever, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Wind

LV02Passing Between

LV02 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 行間 (xíng jiān)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot between 1st and 2nd toe proximal to the margin of the web at the junction of the red and white skin.

⚠️ Cautions: No specific contraindications.

🛡️ Treats: Chest Pain, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Dizziness, Coughing Blood

Study-reported

Needling · a 60-day course

Improved from baseline; no control group

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.7453/gahmj.2013.060 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. SP09, GB08, GB20 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30417 ↗
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Protocol (2 points)

100%

LI04 · LV03

LI04Junction Valley

LI04 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Large Intestine Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 合谷 (hé gǔ)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side.

⚠️ Cautions: Traditionally forbidden in pregnancy – these are the points used to bring on labour at term. Controlled data show no excess of preterm birth or stillbirth (Carr 2015), but in pregnancy needle only on a clear obstetric indication.

🛡️ Treats: Fever, Tinnitus, Release Exterior, Absent Periods, Wind

LV03Great Surge

LV03 acupoint
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🗺️ Meridian: Liver Meridian

🇨🇳 Chinese: 太衝 (tài chōng)

🎯 Location: On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.

⚠️ Cautions: Monitor blood pressure and avoid strong stimulation where hypertension is uncontrolled or unstable; hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

🛡️ Treats: Cough, Diarrhea, Anxiety, Shortness of Breath, Sweating

Study-reported

Needling

Point selection reported in a published study.

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2025.102019 ↗
Corroborated by a second study. LI04, LV03 also appear in another study-reported protocol for the same search. A second publication is not necessarily a second research group. doi:10.1046/j.1526-4610.2002.02203.x ↗
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Headache and Migraine
The head, on its own. Four conditions, every point illustrated. – $5, free updates for life

Related symptoms

Often treated alongside Headache Migraine:

Points cited for Headache Migraine

How often each point appears across the 50 entries ranked highest for Headache Migraine. Citation frequency, not a recommendation.

  • GB20Wind PoolGallbladder Meridian38 of 50
  • GV20100 ConvergencesGoverning Vessel25 of 50
  • GB08Leading ValleyGallbladder Meridian24 of 50
  • LI04Junction ValleyLarge Intestine Meridian20 of 50
  • GB34Yang Mound SpringGallbladder Meridian15 of 50
  • LV03Great SurgeLiver Meridian12 of 50
  • TB05Outer GateTriple Burner Meridian12 of 50
  • XH05Supreme Yang (Sun)Extra Points: Head8 of 50
  • GB40MoundGallbladder Meridian7 of 50
  • ST08Head CornerStomach Meridian7 of 50
  • GB41Foot Governor Of TearsGallbladder Meridian6 of 50
  • GV16Wind MansionGoverning Vessel5 of 50

Tested, no effect found

These studies tested the points below for Headache Migraine and found no effect. They are not counted above.

LI04 · ST08 · SP06 · BL02 · BL12 · TB05 · GB04 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · LV03 · GV20 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.570335 – No better than another treatment

PC06 · GB20 · GV20 – doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007477 – No better than usual care

LI04 · TB05 · TB23 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 · LV03 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190714-k0006 – No better than another treatment

GB08 · GB20 · GB34 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220910-0002 – No better than another treatment

LI04 · SP06 · TB05 · GB34 · LV03 · GV20 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.570335 – No better than another treatment

LI04 · TB05 · TB23 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 · LV03 · XH05 – doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190714-k0006 – No better than another treatment

ST25 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

GB04 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · GB40 · GB41 – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – No better than another treatment

Registered, results not reported

These trials registered a protocol for Headache Migraine and have not reported results. They are not counted above.

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · PC06 · TB05 · TB20 · GB08 · GB13 · GB20 · GB34 · GB40 · LV03 · GV20 · GV24 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-25

TB05 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-361

SI03 · BL60 · GB08 · GB20 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-361

LI04 · ST44 · GB08 · GB20 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-361

GB08 · GB20 · GB40 · LV03 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-361

LI04 · ST44 · SI03 · BL60 · PC06 · TB05 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · LV03 · GV20 – doi:10.1155/2021/5676718

LI04 · LV03 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241

TB05 · GB20 · GB34 · GB40 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-9-57

TB08 · TB19 · GB33 · GB42 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-9-57

LI06 · ST08 · ST36 · ST42 – doi:10.1186/1745-6215-9-57

TB05 · GB34 · GB40 – doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.28.007

TB08 · GB33 · GB42 – doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.28.007

LI06 · ST36 · ST42 – doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.28.007 – Source prints L16 for Pianli; Pianli is LI6

TB05 · TB23 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · XH05 – doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05429-9 – 2 Hz and 100 Hz EA arms merged; same points

LI04 · ST08 · GB08 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · XH05 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.812504 – Senior- and junior-acupuncturist arms use the same prescription; written once

LI04 · ST08 · GB08 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · XH05 – doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.953921

GB44 – doi:10.2147/JPR.S377289

BL67 – doi:10.2147/JPR.S377289

ST45 – doi:10.2147/JPR.S377289

TB03 · TB05 · GB08 · GB20 · GB34 · GB41 – doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075715

HT07 · PC06 · GB08 · GB20 · LV03 · GV20 · GV26 · XH01A · XH01B · XH01C · XH01D · XH05 – doi:10.3389/fmed.2026.1939184

How the studies delivered it

What the 37 studies behind the entries above ran, counted once per study. A record of the trials, not a recommendation.

  • Needling27 of 37
  • Electroacupuncture3 of 37
  • Point injection2 of 37
  • Bloodletting2 of 37
  • Press needles1 of 37
  • Moxibustion1 of 37
  • Laser1 of 37
  • Acupressure1 of 37
  • Thread embedding1 of 37

Sessions: the 17 studies that gave a count ran a median of 12 (middle half 12 to 18).

Course: the 21 studies that gave a length ran a median of 4 weeks (middle half 4 weeks to 8 weeks).

After a treatment: what large safety surveys recorded, and which reactions need a doctor.

Disclaimer: The acupoint information provided is for educational purposes only.