Nerves stimulate muscle movement and convey sensations, including pain. Striking particular points on the body that adversely affect nerve function can produce immediate and impressive results. Some martial artists claim that mastering knowledge of pressure points provides an effective way to stop an opponent. Many, and perhaps the vast majority of, martial artists rely instead on hitting power, or throwing or grappling skills instead of the precise attacks required by advanced pressure point fighting.
Identification
According to American martial artist George A. Dillman, author of "Kyusho Jitsu, The Dilman Method of Pressure Point Fighting," "a pressure point is a place where energy can be transmitted most effectively into a nerve." The point might be a nerve plexus where nerves converge, or a spot where nerves diverge. Proponents of pressure point fighting maintain that striking particular points on the body, or combinations of points, can readily incapacitate or knock out an opponent. The Chinese believe that energy, or chi, flows along certain pathways in the body. Striking points along these pathways interrupts the flow of chi with what they claim is potentially devastating results.
Dim Mak
Dim mak is a controversial martial art that concentrates on striking pressure points to produce immediate or delayed pain, incapacitation or death. Sometimes referred to as the "death touch," dim mak originated in China perhaps as long as 5,000 years ago, since it is closely linked to Chinese medicine. There is no scientific evidence to suggest it works, but it does target the same pressure points used in acupuncture. Acupuncture and dim mak claim to target points along these pathways for very different reasons.
Kyusho Jitsu and the Dilman Method
Dillman claims that the movements and techniques contained in karate kata were developed by traditional martial art masters to indicate strikes to, or manipulation of, pressure points. Pressure point fighting, or kyosho-jitsu is, according to Dilman, an art requiring precision. It requires familiarity with small targets that have different effects on the attacker. It also requires expertise to apply because many points need to be struck or pressed at particular angles.
Practicality
Many martial arts, including tai kwon do and combat krav maga, include lists of vital targets in their lessons. Every boxer knows that striking a point near the hinge of the jaw with a powerful hook punch can result in a knockout, as can a good uppercut delivered to the chin. Self-defense techniques often rely on striking soft targets, such as the eyes and the throat, that correspond to pressure points. Critics of more involved pressure point fighting techniques, however, question the practicality of targeting certain pressure points given the speed, unpredictability and confusion that characterizes most fights. It is certainly an approach to fighting that would require a significant amount of study and practice to master, something it shares with many martial arts.
References
- "The Way of the Warrior, Martial Arts and Fighting Systems from Around the World"; Chris Crudelli; 2008.
- "Kyusho Jitsu, The Dilman Method of Pressure Point Fighting"; George A. Dillman with Chris Thomas; 1992.
Member Comments