Acupoint Baihui-based scalp acupuncture treatment of stroke

Acupoint Baihui (GV20) is located on the highest point of the head and is an intersecting point of the Governing Vessel, Bladder, Gall Bladder, Triple Heater and Liver medians. According theory of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture stimulation at Baihui can clear the mind, lift the spirits, tonify yang, strengthening the ascending function of spleen, eliminate interior wind and promote resuscitation. Indeed, Baihui acupoint has been used to effectively treat neurological disorders such as stroke in China for thousand years.

Baihui-based scalp needling, such as a needling through Baihui to Taiyang (EX-HN5) and needling through Baihui to Qubin (GB7) are commonly used in the treatment of stroke. Studies of stroke models showed that Baihui-based scalp needling has neuroprotective effects through 1) attenuate brain edema and blood brain barrier disruption; 2) increase cerebral blood flow; 3) exert anti-inflammatory effect; 4) increase release of neurotrophic factors; 5) activate cerebral motor-related area and improve limb paralysis.

Recently scientists in China conducted a systematic review of 54 published papers to assess the effect of Baihui-based scalp acupuncture on stroke models. They concluded that the Baihui-based scalp acupuncture therapy reduced infarction volume and improved neurological conditions.

Reference:

Wang WW et al., A systematic review and meta-analysis of Baihui (GV20)-based scalp acupuncture in experimental ischemic stroke. Sci Rep. 2014 Feb 5;4:3981. doi: 10.1038/srep03981.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24496233