For this reason, Adjunct Placements should not be applied routinely as a standard group. Instead, consider the locations that best correspond with the individual’s pain distribution, areas of tenderness, neck or muscle involvement, movement restriction, or where the Primary Placement alone has not provided sufficient symptom relief.Under the Field | Dose | Placement (FDP) principle, magnet selection should match the depth, surface area and anatomical coverage of the intended target rather than simply using the largest or strongest available magnet.
Recommended Additional Placements
Frontal Head Pain
Frontal head pain may be considered alongside the following Adjunct Placements:
Acupuncture points
- LI4 – a distal point on the hand.
- ST44 – a distal point on the foot.
Trigger points
- Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) – consider where tenderness or muscular involvement in the SCM corresponds with the headache presentation.
- Frontalis – consider where local frontal muscle tenderness corresponds with the painful region.
Temporal Head Pain
For pain centred around the temple or lateral head, consider:
Acupuncture points
- GB41 – distal point on the foot.
- TE5 – distal point on the forearm.
- GB20 – located at the posterior base of the skull.
Trigger points
- Temporalis – particularly where the temple region is tender.
- Masseter / ST6 region – consider where jaw-muscle tenderness accompanies the temporal headache pattern.
Occipital Head Pain
Occipital pain has particular relevance where symptoms originate around the base of the skull or are associated with neck and suboccipital involvement. The Treatment Protocol also identifies cervicogenic and suboccipital headache presentations as situations in which cervical and occipital Primary Placements may be considered.
Acupuncture points
- SI3 – distal point on the hand.
- BL60 – distal point near the ankle.
- LU7 – distal point near the wrist.
- GB20 – posterior head/upper cervical region.
Trigger points
- Upper trapezius – consider where neck and shoulder muscle tenderness accompanies the headache.
- Suboccipital muscles – particularly relevant where tenderness is present immediately beneath the occiput.
- Splenius capitis – consider where posterior cervical tenderness or muscular involvement corresponds with symptoms.
Vertex Head Pain
For pain concentrated towards the top of the head, consider:
Acupuncture points
- KI1 – distal point on the sole of the foot.
- LR3 – distal point on the foot.
- GV20 – local point at the vertex of the head.
Trigger points
- Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) – where tenderness or muscular involvement corresponds with the headache pattern.
- Temporalis – particularly where temporal muscle tenderness accompanies vertex symptoms.
These are selective Adjunct Placements rather than a checklist. Begin with the Primary Placement and add only those points that appear relevant to the individual’s symptom pattern.
Where These Points Are Located
The Adjunct Placements form two broad groups.
Local and regional points include GB20, GV20 and the frontalis, temporalis, masseter, SCM, upper trapezius, suboccipital and splenius capitis trigger-point regions. These can be selected where the painful area, tenderness or associated muscular involvement provides a clear anatomical reason for their use.
Distal acupuncture points include LI4, ST44, GB41, TE5, SI3, BL60, LU7, KI1 and LR3. Because these are located away from the head, they should be clearly distinguished from the local head and neck placements in both the written instructions and illustrations.
GB20 deserves particular attention because it is included in both temporal and occipital head-pain protocols and is also specifically identified in the Treatment Protocol as a commonly considered acupuncture point for cervicogenic or suboccipital headache presentations. It lies beneath the occipital region and may be difficult to secure because of the hairline.
Recommended Magnets
Magnet selection follows the Field | Dose | Placement principle. The category shown for each point reflects the target’s depth, surface area and required anatomical coverage rather than magnet strength alone.
Frontal Head Pain
LI4
Small Quadrapolar – S
Suitable for this discrete superficial acupuncture point.
ST44
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
Use the medium category specified for this point, provided the magnet can be positioned comfortably and accurately.
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) trigger point
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
The larger category provides appropriate coverage for a deeper focal muscle and trigger-point region.
Frontalis trigger point
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
Use where broader coverage of the identified frontalis trigger-point region is appropriate.
Temporal Head Pain
GB41
Small Quadrapolar – S
Appropriate for the discrete superficial acupuncture point.
TE5
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
Use the medium category specified in the Adjunct Placement reference.
GB20
Small Quadrapolar – S, or Medium Quadrapolar/Hexapolar – M
A small magnet may be used for precise point application. Where the hairline makes exact attachment difficult, the Adjunct Placement reference allows the medium category, and a headband may assist placement accuracy.
Temporalis trigger point
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
Provides suitable coverage for the relatively superficial temporalis region.
Masseter trigger point / ST6 region
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
Appropriate where a deeper focal masseter trigger point has been identified.
Occipital Head Pain
SI3
Small Quadrapolar – S
BL60
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
LU7
Small Quadrapolar – S
GB20
Small Quadrapolar – S, or Medium Quadrapolar/Hexapolar – M
Choose according to the practical requirements of the placement and the ability to maintain accurate contact around the hairline.
Upper trapezius trigger point
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
Appropriate for a larger muscle and deeper trigger-point target.
Suboccipital muscle trigger point
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
Provides broader and deeper coverage across the focal suboccipital muscle region.
Splenius capitis trigger point
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
Suitable for the specified superficial-to-medium muscle target.
Vertex Head Pain
KI1
Small Quadrapolar – S
LR3
Small Quadrapolar – S
GV20
Small Quadrapolar – S
Appropriate for precise application to the discrete vertex acupuncture point.
Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) trigger point
Large Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – L
Temporalis trigger point
Medium Quadrapolar or Hexapolar – M
Practical Placement Guidance
Begin with the Primary Placement described in the Headaches & Migraine Treatment Protocol. Additional acupuncture or trigger-point placements should only be introduced when there is a reason to do so based on the person’s particular presentation.
Where practical, gently palpate relevant head, neck and shoulder muscles for tender or sensitive areas. A tender SCM, temporalis, upper trapezius, suboccipital or splenius capitis region may help identify which trigger-point placement is most relevant.
For cervicogenic or suboccipital headache patterns, give particular consideration to the occipital and cervical components of the Primary Placement before adding Adjunct Placements. GB20 and relevant suboccipital or cervical muscle trigger points may then be considered where they correspond with the individual’s symptoms.
For temporal pain, the temporalis or masseter region may be considered when there is corresponding local tenderness or jaw-muscle involvement.
For frontal or vertex pain, select only the local or distal points that appear relevant rather than automatically combining all of the listed options.
GB20 may be difficult to secure because of its location near or within the hairline. The reference allows either S or M at this point. If a headband is used to hold the magnet in position, the medium category may make accurate placement easier.
When more than one Q Magnet is being used, placement should remain anatomically purposeful. The objective is not to maximise the number or size of magnets, but to provide an appropriate field and dose at the intended location.
Important Note
The Primary Placement remains the recommended starting point. The acupuncture and trigger-point locations described here are optional Adjunct Placements and are not intended to replace the Primary Placement.
Not every point will be appropriate for every headache or migraine presentation. Select Adjunct Placements according to the individual’s pain distribution, tenderness, movement restriction and associated muscular or neck involvement. They may also be considered where the Primary Placement has not provided sufficient symptom relief.
Headaches and migraines can sometimes have serious underlying causes. The Headaches & Migraine Treatment Protocol specifically advises seeking professional medical advice before trialling Q Magnets and notes that the safety and efficacy of Q Magnets have not been established for the treatment of headaches and migraines.
Persistent, unexplained, severe or changing headache symptoms should be professionally assessed. Adjunct Placement information is provided as an educational guide and should not delay appropriate medical investigation or treatment.
