Pressure Points
Which martial arts pressure points for self-defense are the most effective for dominating your opponent? What are the best self-defense techniques to use with pressure points? Can pressure points techniques in self-defense really knock a man unconscious?
Pressure points are used for both martial arts application and alternative health methods, such as acupuncture. In application for self-defense techniques, the pressure points may be used to cause pain, or simply to cause a weakening of the part of the body affected. For instance, a pressure point technique used against a person holding a weapon might cause enough pain in the arm or wrist to make the assailant’s attack ineffective. On the other hand, the technique may be applied to weaken the grip muscles in the hand and wrist in order to cause the assailant to let go of the weapon.
The following article explains some of the details regarding pressure points: - Pain: Some points are painful because of the prevalence of nerves in the area. The body has a pain withdrawal reflex, whereby it reacts to pain by moving away from it. Martial artists make use of this sometimes without being aware of it. Applying pressure next to the collar bone, from above will cause the person to move downwards (away from the pain) whereas poking them in the gap between the jaw and neck (just below the ear) 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 violently away from the pain. A rub to the back down will cause the body to move forwards. Some points react more violently to pain from changes in the pressure (rubbing) rather than constant pressure. While pressure points may cause pain that may not be their true purpose.
- Pressure: The baroceptor in the carotid artery is pressure-sensitive allowing the body to control the blood flow into the brain. Pressure against this region will "trick" the body into thinking that blood pressure is too high and thus will constrict and lower blood pressure—which can cause blackout. Striking veins and arteries can also cause them to shut or tear, both of which will definitely cause black-out and possible death if not treated immediately.
- Break: There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly. This includes the "loose rib", the philtrum and the top of the skull (soft-spot).
- Hyper-Extension: There are joints that when struck, can be hyper-extended and even completely torn apart. This is a technique which can cause permanent damage and disfiguration to one's opponent usually focusing on the elbow and the knee. There are two types:
- Brute force: This takes advantage of the vulnerability of the strike point, thereby causing the damage; and
- 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.
- Brain shake: The brain is actually a very vulnerable organ, which is why it is encased in the skull. The brain floats in fluid and balances on a very flexible spine. Certain techniques can actually shake the brain in a way which causes black out. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the occipital ridge, at the correct angle in the correct direction. Other areas that are susceptible to such techniques are the temples and the top of the skull.
- Energy: Some believe there are energy channels which flow around the body through acupuncture meridians, and an attack will impact the flows, and thus impact the body. This is called "chi", "ki" or "qi" in East Asian cultures. Traditional Chinese medicine theory is based on the idea that specific pathway lines called meridians exist on the human body, along which are found many hundreds of acupressure points. Acupuncture is the most well known use of the meridian system. According to proponents, pressing, seizing or striking these points (or combinations of points) with specific intent and at certain angles can result in either heightening or diminishing qi circulation in the body, according to this theory.
Pressure Points - Pluses And Minuses Of The Wrist Control
On the inside of the wrist, just above where you'd wear a watch band, is a nice set of nerves ... perfect for a wrist control. This particular pressure point has some pluses and some minuses. Here's how to use the wrist pressure point to your advantage.Pressure Points 1: Going to the Heart Of Pressure Points - What They Really Are
Some people don’t believe in pressure points because they don’t know, how and when to use them, or they don’t understand that some of them work on different principles. Pressure Points 2: Some Observations On Their Use
While some types of pressure points are always effective, these same points are also the most difficult to access. Pressure Points 3: Types Of Points
By understanding the underlying mechanism for each type of pressure point you will unlock the secrets of their use. Principle Pressure Points
A diagram showing 22 principle pressure points, 11 on each side of the body. Pressure Point Strikes
Karate pressure point attacks explained and with diagrams. Combat Pressure Points
Video clip demonstrations by Professor Steve Stewart. Dragon's Pressure Point Diagram 1
Very detailed diagram of all the pressure points of the body, front view. Dragon's Pressure Point Diagram 2
Full Body - Lateral View
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