The window that clears the eyes and lifts the fog from the head. Muchuang (GB-16) sits atop the skull like a small skylight, brightening vision, dispersing Wind Heat, and helping the brain think clearly — a quiet but precise point for eye troubles and head complaints.
Contraindications
Moxa is traditionally not recommended at this point. The needling is shallow and subcutaneous, so standard scalp needling caution applies. No other special contraindications are noted in the sources.
Name & story
目窗 Muchuang means "Eye Window" or "Vision's Window" — and the name tells the whole story. Imagine a room that has grown dim and stuffy, and then someone opens a window: light floods in, fresh air circulates, and everything becomes clear again. That is what this point does for the eyes and the mind. Sitting on the scalp above the eye, it acts like a small opening through which obstructing Wind Heat can escape and clear vision can be restored.
Point family & character
GB-16 belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian (GB), which runs up and over the head in a zigzag path, making the scalp one of its great territories. The point lies on the lateral head, on the line that connects GB-15 to GB-20.
Five-element dynamics
The Gallbladder Meridian (GB) belongs to the Wood element, and the Liver and Gallbladder in Chinese medicine govern the eyes — it is said that the Liver "opens into the eyes". When Wind Heat rises up the channel or the Liver fails to nourish the eyes properly, vision blurs and the head grows heavy. GB-16, sitting high on the skull along the channel's path, intercepts that rising disturbance: it clears the channel, disperses the Wind, and lets the eyes receive what they need.
Location
On the top of the head, along the lateral line that runs from GB-15 (just above the hairline, above the pupil) back toward GB-20 (at the base of the skull). GB-16 sits 1.5 Cun directly posterior to GB-15.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the scalp, over the parietal bone, in the galea aponeurotica (the broad tendinous sheet that covers the top of the skull).
Needling
The needle is inserted subcutaneously — horizontally, just under the scalp skin, angled forward or backward along the line of the channel.
Safe depth
0.3–0.5 Cun subcutaneously.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle scalp massage along the Gallbladder line from GB-15 toward GB-20 can help move Qi and relieve tension. Note: the sources indicate that Moxa is traditionally not recommended at this point.
The golden tip
To find GB-16, start just above your hairline, directly above the pupil (that is GB-15), then move about 1.5 Cun straight back along the side of the scalp. Gentle fingertip pressure or slow circular massage at this spot can help ease eye strain and tension headaches. If the point feels noticeably tender, it is worth mentioning to your practitioner.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.