Pressure point
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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 [1] targeting, in order to achieve specific outcomes.[2]
The study of pressure points has a long history,[3] although it has been to a large degree withheld[4] 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.[5]
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.
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.[6] Martial artists can make use of this through minimal effort.[7] 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.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). Therefore striking this area can cause unconsciousness using the same mechanism, also relying on the force being transmitted to the reticular activating system.[8]
Break
There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly, such as the "floating ribs", 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 organs: 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 which floats in a fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) and balances on a very flexible 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".[9]
Energy
Some believe there are energy channels (acupuncture 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 points or meridians.[5] [10]
According to these theories, attacks will impact the flow of chi ("chi", "ki"-Japanese), and thus the body. Therefore pressing, 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.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "Humane pressure-point self-defence" by George Dillman
- ^ "Martial arts for the University" by Rick Clark
- ^ "The Bible of Karate Bubishi" by Patrick McCarthy
- ^ "Wall of Silence" by Rick Clark
- ^ a b 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, vol 1 issue 4, Aug. 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"
- ^ "nociceptive withdrawal reflex"
- ^ Pain & Pain Withdrawal Reflexes
- ^ The Complete Book of Light Force Knockouts by Bruce Miller
- ^ Boxing and the Glass Jaw
- ^ NIH Consensus Development Program (November 3–5, 1997). "Acupuncture --Consensus Development Conference Statement". National Institutes of Health. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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