Location

at the vertex of the head, on the midline, in the depression, 5 cun behind the hairline at the front, and 7 cun ahead of the hairline at the back.

Note; in balding men, measure from where the hairline would be if there were hair. Alternatively one can measure 8 cun back from Yintang (the glabella or the point on the midline directly between the ends of the eyebrows), and 6 cun forward from the external occipitual protuberance, (the little bump on the midline at the base of the skull).

Needling

along the channel, under the skin 0.5 to 1.0 inch

moxa is OK

Actions

Pacifies wind and subdues yang
Raises Yang and treats prolapse
Bnefits the head and sense organs
Nourishes the Sea of Marrow (brain)
Benefits the brain and calms the spirit.

Signs and Symptoms

headache, vertigo, tinnitus, nasal obstruction, aphasia, coma, mental disorders, prolapse of the rectum or uterus.

Commentary

Baihui is the uppermost Accupuncture point on the body. Its name, 'Hundred Meetings', refers to the idea that it is not only the meeting point of all the Yang channels of the upper body (plus the Liver channel), but that it is indicated in a 'hundred diseases.'

Baihui's main action is to regulate Yang, both to strongly draw Yang to the head to treat such conditions of deficiency as, whirling sensation, tinnitus, dizziness, vision impairment and desire to sleep, and to treat such excess conditions as headache, windstroke, and pain at the vertex.

As well, Bahui is able to raise sinking Qi at the other end of the channel and is indicated for prolapse of the rectum, uterus and vagina.

Baihui is an important point in Qi Gong practice. According to some it is an alternative to Yintang as the location of the Upper Dantian because of its obvious proximity to Heaven. In any case, it is an important gate in the 'Small Heavenly Circle,' the quintiessential Qi Gong Qi building meditation/exercise that follows the Ren and Du channels.

As Baihui is at the apex of the circle it is seen as a direct connection to Heaven. In the Chinese view of the world, a Human is seen as the bridge between Heaven and Earth. One connects to Heaven through Baihui and with the Earth through Yongquan (K1), on the sole of the foot and so doing seeks to master the Lower Dantian (located just below the navel), and the Upper Dantian previously mentioned.

Since the tendency of Yang is always to strongly rise, Qi Gong students are required to master the Lower Dantian (located below the navel) and thus the connection to the Earth in order to be securely anchored before focusing on the upper Dantian and accessing Heaven.

There has been a long-standing controversy over the role of the brain. Most consider the Heart to be the actual residence of the Mind (Spirit) while the Brain is seen as a place of data storage, or at best 'intelligence.' The Brain is considered an 'Extraordinary Fu organ - literally an 'empty sac'.

Even so, some do speculate that since the Brain connects directly to Heaven, it is the residence of spirit.

Interestingly, Baihui, while a point on the Du channel and connecting directly to the brain, also connects directly to the Heart through a divergent channel. In other words the 2 contradictory theories seem to be resolved at Baihui. This is reflected in the fact that Baihai is strongly indicated for a variety of psycho-emotional disorders, usually the preserve of points on the Pericardium and Heart channels. Agitation and oppression, fright, palpitations, poor memory, lack of mental vigour, disorientation, much crying, profound sadness, a desire to die, and mania, are all treated with Baihui.