GV-16 - Palace of Wind

风府 - Fēng fǔ

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, directly below the bump at the base of the skull (the external occipital protuberance), in the hollow between the two trapezius muscles.

How to Locate:

  1. Sit and tilt your head back slightly to relax the neck muscles
  2. Start at the middle of the hairline at the back of the neck and slide up the midline
  3. The point is in the hollow where your finger meets the skull, below the bump
GV-16 (Palace of Wind) acupressure point location: At the back of the neck, on the midline, directly below the bump at the base of the skull (the external occipital protuberance), in the hollow between the two trapezius muscles.

How to Apply Pressure

For GV-16, choose a very light touch once you have found the hollow; do not press deeply or manipulate the neck. Skip it with cervical instability, a clotting disorder, or an acute neurological emergency, and stop if dizziness or headache occurs.

Traditional Indications

In TCM, this point is traditionally used for:

  • Headache
  • Neck stiffness
  • Mental disorders
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Speech disorders

Related Health Concerns

Tension HeadacheHeadacheNeck and Shoulder PainFeeling FaintInsomnia

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

Traditionally combined with:

GV-16 + GB-20
Wind Pool
GV-16 + GV-20
Hundred Meetings

Important Precautions

Avoid this point with:

  • Severe hypertension
  • Acute stroke
  • Cervical spine instability
  • Blood clotting disorders

Take care:

  • Extremely sensitive point - use very light pressure only
  • Avoid in patients with severe neck problems
  • Discontinue immediately if severe dizziness or headache occurs
  • Never apply deep pressure to this area