GV-14 - Great Hammer

大椎 - Dà zhuī

Point Region: Neck

GV

Governing Vessel

督脉 - Dū mài

Location & How to Find

Anatomical Location: At the back of the neck, on the midline, in the hollow below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7).

How to Locate:

  1. Sit with your head level, then bend it slightly forward
  2. Find the most prominent bump at the base of the back of the neck (C7); it moves slightly when you turn your head
  3. The point is in the hollow just below it
GV-14 (Great Hammer) acupressure point location: At the back of the neck, on the midline, in the hollow below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7).

How to Apply Pressure

Bend the head forward slightly to find the large bump at the base of the neck (C7) and press into the hollow just below it, firmly but never painfully. Do not press on the bone itself, and stop if you get a headache or feel dizzy. Skip it after a neck injury or with neck instability.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Fever
  • Common cold
  • Neck stiffness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Mental disorders
  • Shoulder pain

Related Health Concerns

AllergiesCold and Flu OnsetAcneHiccupNeck and Shoulder PainFatigue

Select a point to see its location, how to find it, and its traditional uses.

Traditionally combined with:

GV-14 + LI-11
Pool at the Crook
GV-14 + BL-13
Lung Shu

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Severe cervical spine instability
  • Acute neck injury
  • Severe hypertension

Take care:

  • Avoid excessive pressure on cervical spine
  • Discontinue if severe headache or dizziness occurs
  • Be gentle with neck manipulation