Where Exactly Is the Huan Tiao Acupoint Located?

The Huántiào (GB30) acupuncture point is located on the lateral aspect of the buttock, precisely at the junction of the outer third and middle third of the line connecting the greater trochanter of the femur to the sacral hiatus. To locate it clinically, the patient should be positioned either prone or side-lying with the hip slightly flexed; the point lies approximately 1 cun (about 3 cm) posterior to the midpoint of this reference line. Anatomically, GB30 overlies the gluteus maximus muscle and lies superficial to the sciatic nerve—making precise needle placement critical to avoid neural injury. This point is a key meeting point of the Gallbladder Meridian and the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions involving lower back pain, sciatica, hip joint dysfunction, and lower limb motor impairment.