Pressure point: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m numerous gramatical corrections in the first two paragraphs |
m Substing templates: {{Format ISBN}}. See User:AnomieBOT/docs/TemplateSubster for info. |
||
| (550 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Points on body used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine}} |
|||
{{otheruses2|Pressure point}} |
|||
{{other uses}} |
|||
{{articleissues| rewrite = February 2009|weasel=February 2009| copyedit = February 2009|expert=y| OR = February 2009| citations missing = February 2009}} |
|||
{{Multiple issues| |
|||
{{original research|date=February 2009}} |
|||
{{POV|date=December 2016}} |
|||
{{cleanup AfD|date=January 2017}} |
|||
}} |
|||
{{Chinese |
|||
|title = Pressure point (穴位) |
|||
|pic = Chinese meridians.JPG |
|||
|picsize = 240px |
|||
|c = 穴位 |
|||
|p = xuéwèi |
|||
|w=hsüeh-wei |
|||
|bpmf=ㄒㄩㄝˊ ㄨㄟˋ |
|||
|j=jyut<sup>6</sup> wai<sup>6*2</sup> |
|||
|poj=hia̍t-uī |
|||
|h=hied<sup>5</sup> vi<sup>55</sup> |
|||
|wuu=yiuih<sup>入</sup> we<sup>去</sup> |
|||
|kanji=急所 |
|||
|romaji=kyūsho |
|||
|kana=きゅうしょ |
|||
}} |
|||
{{Alternative medicine sidebar |traditional}} |
|||
'''Pressure points'''{{efn|group=footnote| |
|||
* {{zh|s=[[wiktionary:穴位|穴位]]|p=xuéwèi}} |
|||
* {{langx|ja|[[wiktionary:急所|急所]]|kyūsho|tender spot}}<ref>Andrew Nathaniel Nelson, ''The Original Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary'', Tuttle Publishing, 2004, p.399. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gtYHbyI9xPEC&pg=PA399]</ref> |
|||
* {{langx|si|නිල/මර්ම ස්ථාන|Nila/Marma Sthana}} (in [[Angampora]]) |
|||
* {{langx|te|మర్మ స్థానం|Marma Sthanam}} |
|||
* {{langx|ml|മര്മ്മം|[[Varma ati|marmam]]}} |
|||
* {{langx|ta|வர்மம்|[[Varma ati|varmam]]}} |
|||
}} derive from the supposed [[Meridian (Chinese medicine)|meridian]] points in [[Traditional Chinese Medicine]], Indian [[Ayurveda]] and [[Siddha medicine]], and [[martial arts]]. They refer to areas on the human body that may produce significant [[pain]] or other effects when manipulated in a specific manner.<ref name="Zarrilli">{{Cite web |url=http://spa.exeter.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html |title=To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (''Marmmam''/''Varmam'') in Two South Indian Martial Traditions |work=Kalarippayattu |access-date=2016-03-01 |publisher=Department of Drama at the University of Exeter |last1=Zarrilli |first1=Phillip B. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209235036/http://spa.exeter.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/healharm.html |archive-date=9 Feb 2016 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> |
|||
==History== |
|||
A '''pressure point''' in the field of [[martial arts]] refers to an area on the human body that may produce significant pain or other effects when manipulated in a specific manner. Users state that the effectiveness of manipulating pressure points does not rely on brute strength, but rather precise <ref>"[http://www.dillman.com/books.asp Humane pressure-point self-defence]" by George Dillman</ref> targeting, in order to achieve specific outcomes.<ref>"[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0840381077 Martial arts for the University" by Rick Clark]</ref> |
|||
[[File:USMC-100912-M-5332N-146.jpg|thumb|Muscular gouging techniques demonstration by a [[Marine Corps Martial Arts]] instructor]] |
|||
The earliest known concept of pressure points can be seen in the [[South India]]n [[Varma kalai]] based on Siddha.<ref>{{Cite web |
|||
| url = http://www.varmam.org/articles/HistoryOfVarmaKalai.php |
|||
| title = Thirumoolar Varmalogy Institute - Articles - History of Varmakalai |
|||
| last = Institute |
|||
| first = Suresh K Manoharan, Thirumoolar Varmalogy |
|||
| website = www.varmam.org |
|||
| access-date = 2016-03-01 |
|||
}}</ref><ref name="Zarrilli" /> The concept of pressure points is also present in the [[koryu|old school]] Japanese martial arts; in a 1942 article in the ''Shin Budo magazine'', [[Takuma Hisa]] asserted the existence of a tradition attributing the first development of pressure-point attacks to [[Shinra Saburō Minamoto no Yoshimitsu]] (1045–1127).<ref name="Aiki News-Hisa">It is also called Internal point. |
|||
Takuma Hisa Sensei, Shin Budo magazine, November 1942. republished as {{cite journal |
|||
|last = Hisa |
|||
|first = Takuma |
|||
|title = Daito-Ryu Aiki Budo |
|||
|journal = Aiki News |
|||
|volume = 85 |
|||
|date = Summer 1990 |
|||
|url = http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=497 |
|||
|access-date = 2007-07-18 |
|||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011104105/http://www.aikidojournal.com/article.php?articleID=497 |
|||
|archive-date = 2007-10-11 |
|||
}} "Yoshimitsu [...] dissected corpses brought back from wars in order to explore human anatomy and mastered a decisive counter-technique as well as discovering lethal atemi. Yoshimitsu then mastered a technique for killing with a single blow. Through such great efforts, he mastered the essence of aiki and discovered the secret techniques of Aiki Budo. Therefore, Yoshimitsu is the person who is credited with being the founder of the original school of Daito-ryu."</ref> |
|||
[[H. Irving Hancock|Hancock]] and Higashi (1905) published a book which pointed out a number of vital points in Japanese martial arts.<ref>{{cite book |author1=[[H. Irving Hancock]] |author2=Katsukuma Higashi |title=[[The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu (Judo)]] |publisher=[[G. P. Putnam's Sons]] |year=1905 |isbn=978-0-486-20639-4 |oclc=650089326}}</ref> |
|||
The study of pressure points has a long history,<ref>"[http://www.amazon.com/dp/0804820155 The Bible of Karate Bubishi]" by Patrick McCarthy</ref> although it has been to a large degree withheld<ref>[http://www.ao-denkou-kai.org/the_wall_of_silence.htm "Wall of Silence" by Rick Clark]</ref> from the general public until recent years. This has resulted in the formation of many misconceptions regarding their use. The effectiveness of manipulation, and even the existence of pressure points, is controversial.<ref name="Mann F."/> |
|||
Accounts of pressure-point fighting appeared in Chinese [[Wuxia]] fiction novels and became known by the name of [[Dim Mak]], or "Death Touch", in western popular culture in the 1960s. |
|||
==Types == |
|||
There are several types of pressure points - each is applied differently and each creates a different effect. "Pain points", for example, use tendons, ligaments, and muscles - the goal to temporarily immobilize the target, or at the very least to distract them. ''Reflex points'' produce involuntary movements, for example causing the hand to release its grip, the knees to buckle, or the target to gag, or even for the person to be knocked unconscious. |
|||
While it is undisputed that there are sensitive points on the human body where even comparatively weak pressure may induce significant pain or serious injury, the association of ''kyūsho'' with notions of [[death]] have been harshly criticized.<ref name="Mann F.">[[Felix Mann]]: "...acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots that a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." (Mann F. Reinventing Acupuncture: A New Concept of Ancient Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann, London, 1996,14.), quoted by Matthew Bauer in ''[http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/section.php?xSec=122 Chinese Medicine Times] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122104312/http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/section.php?xSec=122 |date=2009-01-22 }}'', vol 1 issue 4, Aug. 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2019}} |
|||
===Pain=== |
|||
Some pressure points produce pain when struck, pressed or rubbed (depending on the point itself). While the distraction of pain might offer sufficient advantage in a fight, additionally the body has a [[Pain withdrawal reflex]] whereby it reacts to pain by moving away from the source.<ref>"[[Withdrawal reflex|nociceptive withdrawal reflex]]"</ref> Martial artists can make use of this through minimal effort.<ref>[http://www.yachigusaryu.com/essays/pain_and_pain_withdrawl_reflexes.html Pain & Pain Withdrawal Reflexes]</ref> Applying pressure to the [[collar bone]] from above will cause the subject to move downwards, whereas poking them upwards in the gap between the ear and neck will make their body want to move upwards. Pressure to the shoulder causes that side of the body to move back. A jab to the abdomen in the middle of the stomach will cause some people to twist around, away from the pain. A rub down the back will cause the body to move forwards. Some points react more violently to pain from changes in the pressure (rubbing) rather than constant pressure.<ref |
|||
===Blood & blood pressure=== |
|||
The [[baroreceptors]] in the [[carotid artery]] are pressure-sensitive, supplying the brain with information to control systemic blood pressure. Pressure against this region will send signals which indicate that blood pressure is too high and lead to a lowering of blood pressure.<ref>[http://www.taiji-qigong.co.uk/Articles/olddimmak.html A medical view of dim-mak]</ref> Therefore striking this area can cause unconsciousness using the same mechanism, also relying on the force being transmitted to the [[reticular activating system]].<ref>[http://www.quanlikan.com/indiv_item_pages/CBLFKO_item_page.html The Complete Book of Light Force Knockouts] by Bruce Miller</ref> |
|||
===Break=== |
|||
There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly, such as the "[[floating rib]]s", the [[philtrum]], and the side of the knee. |
|||
===Hyper-extension=== |
|||
There are joints that when struck, can be hyper-extended and even tear. This is a technique which can cause permanent damage to one's opponent. There are two types: |
|||
*Brute force: This takes advantage of the vulnerability of the strike point, usually a joint, thereby causing the damage. |
|||
*[[Golgi organ]]s: A relatively gentle strike to the Golgi tendon at the back of the elbow, for example, triggers a reflex which immediately relaxes that tendon allowing the elbow to bend more easily in the wrong direction. If this is immediately followed by a solid strike to the elbow joint, the elbow can be broken with significantly less effort than through brute force. |
|||
===Concussion=== |
|||
The brain is a sensitive [[organ (anatomy)|organ]] which floats in a fluid (''[[cerebrospinal fluid]]'') and balances on a very flexible [[vertebral column|spine]]. These safety mechanisms allow the head to take substantial impact without resulting in concussion. However, martial art techniques can be delivered in a way which effectively eliminates such protections, thus causing disorientation or instantaneous knockout. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the [[occipital ridge]], at the correct angle in the correct direction. Another well known point with this effect is the chin or lower jaw, giving rise to the [[boxing]] expression: a "glass jaw".<ref>[http://en.allexperts.com/q/Boxing-1533/Glass-Jaw-v-s.htm Boxing and the Glass Jaw]</ref> |
|||
===Energy=== |
|||
Some believe there are [[Energy (esotericism)|energy]] channels ([[acupuncture]] [[Meridian (Chinese medicine)|meridians]]) which allow [[chi]] to flow through the body. Acupuncture is the best known use of the meridian system. [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] theory is largely based on the idea that meridians are specific pathway lines in the human body, along which are found many hundreds of [[acupressure]] points. There is no physically verifiable [[anatomical]] or [[histological]] basis for the existence of chi, [[acupuncture point]]s or meridians.<ref name="Mann F.">[[Felix Mann]]: "...acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots that a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." (Mann F. Reinventing Acupuncture: A New Concept of Ancient Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann, London, 1996,14.), quoted by Matthew Bauer in ''[http://www.chinesemedicinetimes.com/section.php?xSec=122 Chinese Medicine Times]'', vol 1 issue 4, Aug. 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"</ref> <ref name="NIH-1997consensus">{{cite web |author=NIH Consensus Development Program |title=Acupuncture --Consensus Development Conference Statement |url=http://consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm |date=November 3-5, 1997 |publisher=National Institutes of Health |accessdate=2007-07-17}}</ref> |
|||
According to these theories, attacks will impact the flow of chi ("chi", "ki"-Japanese), and thus the body. Therefore pressing, [[Chin na|seizing]] or striking (dim mak) these points (or combinations of points) with specific intent and at certain angles is believed to cause either a heightening or diminishing of qi circulation in the body. Arts such as [[Bak Mei]] and [[Bok Foo Pai]] utilize this strategy almost exclusively in combat.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{ |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
||
{{notelist}} |
|||
{{martial arts}} |
|||
==See also== |
|||
*[[Marmam]] |
|||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://www.combatvarmakalai.com Combat Varma Kalai - Prof. Dr. Yuree] |
|||
* [http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=423 What are pressure points?] |
|||
* [http://www.pressurepointkarate.com/vital_point_striking.htm History of vital point striking] |
|||
* [http://www.bojuka.ca/pressure-points-charts.shtml Pressure point charts] |
|||
* [http://www.pressurepointkarate.com/pressure-point-charts.htm Diagrams & use of specified points] |
|||
* [http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=523 When pressure points fail] |
|||
[[Category:Martial art techniques]] |
|||
[[Category:Martial arts terms]] |
|||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pressure Point}} |
|||
[[de:Nervendruckpunkt]] |
|||
[[Category:Martial arts techniques]] |
|||
[[fr:Point de compression]] |
|||
[[Category:Martial arts terminology]] |
|||
[[he:נקודת תורפה]] |
|||
[[Category:Concepts in alternative medicine]] |
|||
Latest revision as of 02:00, 16 December 2024
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
| Pressure point (穴位) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 穴位 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Japanese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kanji | 急所 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kana | きゅうしょ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Part of a series on |
| Alternative medicine |
|---|
 |
Pressure points[a] derive from the supposed meridian points in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, and martial arts. They refer to areas on the human body that may produce significant pain or other effects when manipulated in a specific manner.[2]
History
[edit]
The earliest known concept of pressure points can be seen in the South Indian Varma kalai based on Siddha.[3][2] The concept of pressure points is also present in the old school Japanese martial arts; in a 1942 article in the Shin Budo magazine, Takuma Hisa asserted the existence of a tradition attributing the first development of pressure-point attacks to Shinra Saburō Minamoto no Yoshimitsu (1045–1127).[4]
Hancock and Higashi (1905) published a book which pointed out a number of vital points in Japanese martial arts.[5]
Accounts of pressure-point fighting appeared in Chinese Wuxia fiction novels and became known by the name of Dim Mak, or "Death Touch", in western popular culture in the 1960s.
While it is undisputed that there are sensitive points on the human body where even comparatively weak pressure may induce significant pain or serious injury, the association of kyūsho with notions of death have been harshly criticized.[6][failed verification]
References
[edit]- ^ Andrew Nathaniel Nelson, The Original Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary, Tuttle Publishing, 2004, p.399. [1]
- ^ a b Zarrilli, Phillip B. "To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions". Kalarippayattu. Department of Drama at the University of Exeter. Archived from the original on 9 Feb 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ Institute, Suresh K Manoharan, Thirumoolar Varmalogy. "Thirumoolar Varmalogy Institute - Articles - History of Varmakalai". www.varmam.org. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ It is also called Internal point. Takuma Hisa Sensei, Shin Budo magazine, November 1942. republished as Hisa, Takuma (Summer 1990). "Daito-Ryu Aiki Budo". Aiki News. 85. Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2007-07-18. "Yoshimitsu [...] dissected corpses brought back from wars in order to explore human anatomy and mastered a decisive counter-technique as well as discovering lethal atemi. Yoshimitsu then mastered a technique for killing with a single blow. Through such great efforts, he mastered the essence of aiki and discovered the secret techniques of Aiki Budo. Therefore, Yoshimitsu is the person who is credited with being the founder of the original school of Daito-ryu."
- ^ H. Irving Hancock; Katsukuma Higashi (1905). The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu (Judo). G. P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 978-0-486-20639-4. OCLC 650089326.
- ^ Felix Mann: "...acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots that a drunkard sees in front of his eyes." (Mann F. Reinventing Acupuncture: A New Concept of Ancient Medicine. Butterworth Heinemann, London, 1996,14.), quoted by Matthew Bauer in Chinese Medicine Times Archived 2009-01-22 at the Wayback Machine, vol 1 issue 4, Aug. 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
