Martial art pressure points commonly refer to techniques taught in fighting systems rooted in China and Japan. In fact, the historical use of pressure points actually circles the globe. According to anthropologist Thomas Green, Ph.D., of Texas A&M University, the martial use of pressure points dates back at least 6,000 years in the East and 4,000 years in the West, in such countries as India, China, Egypt and Greece.
Defined
Most people think of a "pressure point" as a nerve or acupuncture point that, when hit, can mysteriously disable an opponent. There are many documented pressure points outside of these two types, including those that attack muscles, joints, blood flow and breathing. Contrary to popular belief, then and now, there is nothing mysterious about these points. Only the uninitiated, storytellers and advertisers find mystery in the science of pressure points. Many martial arts use pressure points, including certain styles of wrestling, various Japanese- and Chinese-based martial arts, Greek pankration, Okinawa te, Korean Hapkido and mixed martial arts.
Eastern History
The earliest reference to a martial art containing pressure points is an Indian text dating to B.C. 3127. In China, around B.C. 2697, both martial and medical uses of anatomic points were documented during the reign of Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor. From China, the use of acupuncture-based pressure points spread to surrounding countries, including Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Okinawa and Japan.
Okinawan martial arts descended from Chinese martial arts starting about A.D. 1393. One notable style imported from China is the crane style, which relies heavily on pressure points. Japan records the use of such points around A.D. 1640. Chinese poet martial artist Ch'en Yuan-pin taught three Japanese samurai warriors the Chinese art of Chin na. This art soon developed into Jujitsu, which employs "kyusho"--attacking pressure points and vulnerable parts of the body.
Western History
In the West, an Egyptian wrestling manual dated about B.C. 1950 has survived and depicts the use of pressure points. The ancient Greeks practiced pankration, a violent combat art born on the battlefield that includes many pressure points. Greek Poet Xenophanes called pankration "that new and terrible contest--of all holds."
Martial Uses
Green states that pressure points have historically been used to cause pain or weakness, damage the opponent's ability and will to fight, impair critical body functions and kill. Two of the more recognized names for pressure point use in martial arts are Dim Mak and kyusho, of Chinese and Japanese origins, respectively.
Healing Uses
Many martial pressure points and acupuncture points are the same. This is because many points that can injure can also heal and vice versa. The difference is generally in the intensity of the application of various methodologies used to stimulate the points.
References
- "Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia"; Thomas A. Green, Ph.D.; 2001
- Pankration: An Olympic Combat Sport
- "Black Belt Magazine"; History of Judo; W.C.C. Hu; Sept. 1962
- "Samurai Fighting Arts: The Spirit and the Practice"; Fumon Tanaka; 2003
- Fairfield University: The Ancient Olympic Games
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