Gallbladder Meridian: Free the Sides, Clear the Head (Wood • 23:00–01:00)

The Gallbladder meridian governs decision-making, courage and the body’s lateral line. It helps move Qi through the ribs, hips and temples, and works with bile to support digestion. When Gallbladder Qi flows, the sides of the body feel open, the head is clear, and choices feel simpler. When it’s stuck, you may notice temple headaches, rib-side tightness, hip/IT band tension, nausea with fatty foods, or indecision. This guide gives you a clear, practical way to restore flow.

See the big picture in the cluster: Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

At-a-glance

• Peak time: 23:00–01:00 (night reset, tendon glide, clear-headed choices)

• Element: Wood

• Yin/Yang pair: Liver Meridian (smooths Qi, nourishes tendons)

• Focus areas: Temples/ears, ribcage & flanks, outer hip/IT band, outer ankle to 4th toe

• Emotion: Timidity/resentment ↔ courage/decisiveness

• Season: Spring (growth, movement)

• Core functions: Moves lateral-line Qi, assists decision-making, vents head/temple pressure, aids bile flow for digestion

Why the Gallbladder matters

The Gallbladder channel is the side-door of the body. It frees the ribs and hips so breath and mood can move. Unwinding this line often eases temple headaches, jaw/ear tension, “tight sides”, and choice paralysis. For the wider map, read Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and the pair channel, Liver Meridian.

Pathway (plain-language)

The channel begins at the outer corner of the eye, circles the ear and temple, travels down the side of the neck and ribcage, crosses the outer hip and thigh (IT band), passes the outer knee (GB-34), runs along the outer calf and ankle (GB-40), and ends on the 4th toe (GB-44). It interacts closely with the Liver Meridian to smooth movement and mood.

Daily rhythm: 23:00–01:00

Use this window to prepare for sleep and free the sides:

• Dim lights; brief warm shower.

• Side body rolls (hands on ribs) and gentle outer-hip stretch.

• Two minutes of 4-4-6 nasal breathing; soften the jaw and temples.

• Keep late meals simple and lighter on fats.

Want context through the day? See Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Common signs of Gallbladder imbalance

Physical

• Temple/side-of-head headaches, jaw/ear tension

• Rib-side tightness; outer hip/IT band pain; ankle instability

• Nausea or fullness with rich/fatty foods; bitter taste in the mouth

• Dizziness when tense; light sensitivity (often with Liver Meridian)

Emotional & mental

• Indecision, second-guessing, resentment after “swallowing” your no

• Irritability or restlessness at night

• Starting many things, finishing few

If several apply, explore the routine below and cross-reference with Liver Meridian and Stomach Meridian (post-meal heaviness).

Quick self-check (1 minute)

1. Sides free? Can you side-bend without pinching at the ribs/hips?

2. Head clear? Any temple pressure or ear fullness by evening?

3. Choices simple? Do small decisions feel sticky?

If two or more are “off”, focus on Gallbladder support for seven days. Add Liver Meridian if frustration/tendon tightness features.

7–10 minute Gallbladder Qi Gong (daily)

Set your intention: “I free the sides and choose clearly.”

1. Opening shake (60 sec): Gentle bounce; loosen wrists, jaw and shoulders.

2. Rib rolls (60–90 sec): Hands on the sides of your ribs; small circles to free the flanks.

3. Side glide (2 × 30–45 sec each): One arm overhead, lean gently to the opposite side; breathe into the open ribs.

4. Outer-hip sweep (60 sec): Brush from waist to outer knee along the IT band; slow exhale.

5. GB-34 press (60 sec): Below the outer knee in a tender hollow; press-circle 6–8 breaths each side.

6. Temple/ear ease (45 sec): Soft circles at GB-20 (base of skull, back of head) and at the temples.

7. Close (30 sec): Hands at the sides of your ribs; three quiet 4-4-6 breaths.

Pair this with Liver Meridian work for tendons and mood.

Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)

• GB-20 (Fēngchí): Hollows under the skull, either side of the midline.
  Helps: Temple/occipital headaches, neck tension, eye strain.

• GB-34 (Yánglíngquán): Below the outer knee in a soft hollow.
  Helps: IT band/hip tension; classic point for tendons.

• GB-40 (Qiūxū): In front of the outer ankle bone.
  Helps: Ankle stability, lateral-line ease.

• GB-41 (Zúlínqì): On the top of the foot between 4th–5th metatarsals.
  Helps: Temple headaches, rib tightness; clears “stuck at the sides.”

• GB-21 (Jiānjǐng): Midway on top of the shoulder.
  Helps: Shoulder/neck tension. Avoid strong pressure in pregnancy.

Use light–moderate pressure; breathe out through sensations. Stop if pain or dizziness appears.

Breath that frees the sides

• 4-4-6 is your baseline — longer exhales soften the ribs.

• Add a quiet hum on the exhale for 3 rounds to melt temple tension.

• If heavy after dinner, take a slow 3–5 minute nose-breathing walk, then return to 4-4-6.

For broader timing and pairings, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Emotional ease: from stuck to decisive

• Name the choice; write two lines: “If yes…” / “If no…”. Breathe 4-4-6 and choose the next tiny action.

• After conflict, do rib rolls + GB-34 press for 60–90 seconds.

• If resentment builds, pair with Liver Meridian to smooth Qi.

• If chest pressure rises with stress, add Pericardium Meridian.

• If temple heat persists, include Triple Burner Meridian.

Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Wood/Spring)

• Greens & bitters: Rocket, watercress, sprouts; a splash of lemon — support bile flow.

• Evening simplicity: Lighter fats at night; steady warm fluids.

• Posture habit: “Ribs wide, jaw soft.” Short movement snacks for the sides.

• Eyes & screens: Regular breaks; soften the gaze to ease temple load.

Coordinate with Liver Meridian (tendons/mood) and Stomach Meridian (after-meal ease).

How Gallbladder connects to other meridians

• Liver Meridian: Pair channel — smooths Qi and emotions.

• Triple Burner Meridian: Vents evening heat; ear/temple support.

• Stomach Meridian & Spleen Meridian: Digestive flow and damp transform.

• Bladder Meridian: Lateral/back line synergy for posture.

• Governing Vessel (Du): Midline support for head/neck tension.

Dive deeper via Liver Meridian and Stomach Meridian.

When to seek medical advice

• Severe or persistent right-upper abdominal pain (especially with fever or vomiting)

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) or pale stools/dark urine

• Sudden, intense headache with neurological signs

Qi Gong complements, not replaces, medical care. If in doubt, contact your GP or 111.

7-day Gallbladder reset (simple plan)

Daily: 7–10 minutes of the sequence above. Sprinkle 4-4-6 after 21:00.

• Day 1: Rib rolls + side glide.

• Day 2: GB-34 press + short evening walk.

• Day 3: Temple/ear ease + 3 hum-exhales.

• Day 4: Lighter fats at dinner; warm fluids.

• Day 5: Outer-hip sweep + gentle IT band release.

• Day 6: Pair with Liver Meridian routine.

• Day 7: Reflect: What changed in temple ease, side-body freedom, or decisiveness?

Repeat or progress with Liver Meridian for deeper Wood balance.

FAQs on gallbladder meridian

Why do decisions feel harder at night?
Wood energy is winding down; side-body tension and temple heat can cloud clarity. Free the sides (rib rolls, GB-34), then 4-4-6.

Best point for temple headaches?
GB-20 and GB-41 are reliable. Add quiet hum-exhales and soften the jaw.

Can this help IT band tightness?
Yes — combine outer-hip sweep, GB-34, and gentle side glides. Pair with Bladder Meridian for the back line.

What if rich foods trigger symptoms?
Go lighter at dinner, add lemon/bitters, and walk briefly after eating. Support Stomach Meridian and Spleen Meridian.

When should I practise?
23:00–01:00 is classic, but any gentle, consistent slot works — especially late afternoon/evening.

Related guides in the cluster

• Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

• Liver Meridian (pair channel)

• Stomach Meridian

• Spleen Meridian

• Bladder Meridian

• Triple Burner Meridian

• Pericardium Meridian

Next steps

If this guide helped, deepen your practice with our live sessions and full routines: Bright Beings Academy Memberships. To integrate emotional healing with movement, start at Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and then practise the paired Liver Meridian.

I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)