Intersecting point: Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "Intersecting point of governor vessel and yang link vessel"; Suwen-Re Lun: "Juyang ( foot taiyang ) connects all yang meridians, and its pathway links to Fengfu". Therefore, Zhenjiu Juying states: "the intersecting point of foot taiyang, governor vessel, and yang link vessel".

bubble_chart Etymology

"Feng" (風), wind pathogens; "fu" (府), gathering place. This acupoint is located where wind pathogens are prone to invade. Suwen-Feng Lun: "When wind qi ascends through Fengfu, it causes brain wind." It is situated above first vertebra, hence it is also called "Shangzhui" (上椎, upper vertebra). Zhang Shunmin's Hua Yuan Lu records: during the Song Dynasty, Emperor Renzong fell ill, and conventional medicine failed to cure him. A folk doctor used acupuncture at back of his head, and upon removing the needle, the emperor opened his eyes and said, "So refreshing!" The next day, his condition improved significantly. Later, the acupoint used was referred to as "Xingxing" (惺惺).

bubble_chart Location

Fengfu (GV16) acupoint
(adapted from "Meridians and Acupoints")

On the midline of neck, 1 cun above posterior hairline, directly below external occipital protuberance, in the depression between two trapezius muscles. The deep part corresponds to the space between posterior edge of foramen magnum and posterior arch of atlas.

• Suwen-Gukong Lun: "Above the upper vertebra." Wu Kun's note: "It refers to the space above first cervical vertebra";
• Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing: "1 cun above hairline on neck, in the depression within the large tendon".

bubble_chart Anatomy

• Muscles: the skin is relatively thick, and the subcutaneous superficial fascia is well-developed. Deeper layer, nuchal ligament, neck muscles, and posterior atlanto-occipital membrane.
• Nerves: 3rd cervical nerve and branches of greater occipital nerve; the deep parts, cerebellomedullary cistern, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata.
• Vessels: branches of occipital artery, interspinous venous plexus.

bubble_chart Manipulation

Have the patient sit upright with their head slightly tilted forward to relax neck muscles. Insert slowly toward mental protuberance of mandible to a depth of 0.5~1.2 cun. Avoid deep insertion, as penetrating nuchal ligament, especially when directing the needle toward nose or foramen magnum, can damage medulla oblongata and cause severe consequences. Suwen-Cijin Lun: "Needling head and hitting brain cavity (foramen magnum) leads to immediate death." Also, avoid deep insertion to the sides to prevent damaging vertebral artery. Moxibustion is contraindicated.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dispel wind, benefit throat and tongue, clear head and eyes.

• Classical: headache, wind-induced headache, heaviness of body, aversion to cold, stiff neck with limited movement, vertigo, stiff tongue with difficulty speaking, sore throat, waist and foot problems, numbness of feet, common cold, persistent vomiting, nasal congestion, mania, incessant talking, manic running with suicidal tendencies, visual hallucinations, sudden loss of voice.
• Modern: common cold, stiff neck, Meniere's syndrome, neurogenic vomiting, low back and leg pain.

bubble_chart Combinations

• Sore throat: Fengfu (GV16), Tianchuang (SI16), Laogong (PC8).
• Numbness of feet: Fengfu (GV16), Yaoshu (GV2).
• Mania with incessant talking: Fengfu (GV16), Kunlun (BL60), Shugu (BL65).
• Manic running, Fengfu (GV16), Yanggu (SI5).
• Common cold: Fengfu (GV16), Fengchi (GB20), Fengmen (BL12), Lieque ( LU7), Hegu (LI4), Fuliu (KI7).