Pressure Points 1: Going to the Heart Of Pressure Points - What They Really AreBy Bruce Everett Miller, PA-C

Intermittently there is a lot of talk about pressure points in different chat rooms and magazine articles. And true to form, there are always those who believe in them (passionately) and those who do not (just as passionately). Both camps have their reasons why they believe as they do and both tend to flame the other.

However, if you actually look at what BOTH camps are saying, you will find that underneath all the rhetoric there is an element that is shared by both groups. That element is trying to find something that works for self-defense. That fact is the exact reason why many people study martial arts.

One of the main problems with martial arts is the fact that, by itself, studying martial arts does not give you superior strength, speed, or make you invincible. There is still the problem of dealing with an opponent who is bigger and stronger and faster that you. I will not discount the fact of your own strength or power here, and I will definitely give credit to a well-placed punch or kick, but sometimes the opponent is just too big.

Therefore, at times we all could use an advantage. An advantage which allows us to disable the opponent who is stronger, faster and just plain bigger than we are. We need that advantage when we are dealing with an opponent who could be high on drugs or mentally ill and thus does not feel pain.

The proponents of pressure points count on this advantage, but as I have said some people just don’t believe they work. Why don’t they believe? I am sure that the people who do not believe in them aren’t faking it. They don’t consciously want to keep something from the rest of us. Nor do they want to pass up on a legitimate tool that would help them. However, they (like all of us) have to be convinced that the tool is real before they would use it.

The fact is that some don’t believe pressure points work probably due to the fact pressure points have not worked for them. They have tried the explanation and the examples that have been given, but those examples simply did not work for them or the explanation made no sense to their logic flow. The real question here is, “Why?”

Now before you think this is simply going to be an article trying to convince you (or them) that pressure points do work, be aware that I hope for it to be far more than that. My hope is that this will be an article that goes to the heart of what pressure points really are AND how to use them. I think it will help everyone understand and use pressure points better. Therefore, in this article I will be trying to tell you about the types of pressure points and in the next article I will actually give you even more data on the types and examples of each type.

But back to why some people don’t think pressure points work. I personally believe the real reason that pressure points are not convincing to many people is that pressure points have not been defined and explained correctly. I agree with most people who claim that simply knowing pressure points is worthless. (Yes, you heard that from me correctly.)

Too many people think of the movie version when they think of pressure points. In the movies, every pressure point works - every time, and with staggering effects. Every pressure point is easy to get to and automatically disables the evil opponent with a simple touch of a finger at that magical point that only the hero knows. This, of course, would be our ideal pressure point. Unfortunately, as far as I know, they DO NOT EXIST.

If you want a simile, then it is sort of like looking at a bank of switches. Simply flipping switches may not get you anything. Or perhaps it may turn on light in another room or part of the

building. Cute, but what good does that do you at the location you are right now. Not really helpful. Furthermore, it wastes time. And in a fight, that wasted time could be dangerous or worse.

Other (and maybe better) examples of why someone might believe that pressure points don’t work is that they have been given examples of these points, but without explanation of how to use them correctly, or they were told they would always work. For example, if you didn’t know that muscle pressure points are useless if the muscle is tightly contracted, then you would think the entire theory was wrong or worthless. However, if you understood the complete theory, then you would realize the muscle was not going to respond and simply use a different level of pressure point. [Please re-read the last sentence several times because this is very important.]

Think of it as if all you had were punches that were to be delivered against areas of the body that were prepared for it and you tried to convince someone that a punch was a good weapon. Based on their observations or even their own experiences, they may not believe a punch worked at all. In fact, they might be adamant that spending their effort learning to punch was a waste of time.

The same is exactly the case for pressure points. You use the type of pressure point that is the best for the circumstance. This of course requires a far deeper understanding of pressure points than the simplistic level 1 pain pressure points, which is why some people believe that pressure points don’t work

So again, I think the real problem here is one of not understanding the function of pressure points. This is very different from understanding where a pressure point is located. (Everyone knows an example of where a pressure point is located.)

I have gone back to the chat rooms and articles on pressure points that I have read (or written) and there is one question that should be asked, but it never seems to GET asked. Therefore the answer is never defined. That question is, “What exactly ARE pressure points?”

Let’s start with two of the common definitions that are out there.

If you are like most people, then I bet you think that the question, “what are pressure points?” is a dumb question and the answer is obvious. It is a point that hurts, right? I am going to tell you that by my definition, that answer is wrong. The real answer is far more than that. Yes, some points do hurt, but the fact that they hurt is in itself worthless.

If you touch, strike, punch or kick a point, then you very well may cause pain. But in fact you should be able to cause pain if you touch, strike, punch or kick any point on the body hard enough. That only tells us that you can strike hard enough, it doesn’t give any special advantage. Pressure point HAVE to mean more than simply points that hurt to have any value! Otherwise those who say, “pressure points don’t work” have a valid point.

Okay, what about the concept of pressure points being acupuncture points? Well, maybe then the answer is that a pressure point is an acupuncture point? Many people use the acupuncture charts as maps to where pressure points are located. These have to be the official/legitimate pressure points, don’t they?

That answer, by my definition, is also wrong. And NO, the charts tell the locations of ACUPUNCTURE points NOT the location of pressure points.

Why is this wrong? Well, first off, as a person (clinician) who has been practicing acupuncture for almost thirty years, I can tell you that acupuncture points were designed to cause their effects WITHOUT causing a lot of pain. Also, if you measure out Cun and Fen (the actual Chinese acupuncture measurements) you will find that the points most people assume are pressure points are not the points listed on the charts. The points which hurt and that they

assumed were the pressure points (shown on the chart) may be close to, but in fact are NOT, the exact points shown on the chart. Find a book that gives you the actual Cun and Fen measurements and check it out if you don’t believe me.

Secondly, while the MEDICAL effects of acupuncture are very real, they are not usually of such magnitude that a single point can stop a person who is attacking. The proof of this is not only in the observed effects but also by the fact that professional practitioners of acupuncture use a combination of points to create a healing effect. In almost all cases, a series of 3 to 5 points or more are used and the points have to be stimulated for 3 to 30 or more minutes to obtain their desired effects.

So, if professional practitioners of acupuncture need several points and sometime several treatments at these points to cause their effects, how do you expect to stop an attacking person with a single (or even a couple) of acupuncture point strikes? (NOTE: This in no way discounts acupuncture’s use in medicine. That is a completely different subject! You can find out more about the real effects and reasons why acupuncture DOES works in my book on acupuncture.)

So back to the main question. I ask you, then, how can it be said that pressure points work if they are not based on simply causing pain or acupuncture point theory? Personally, I cannot say they are valid for combat based on either of these explanations (pain or acupuncture).

NOTE: I will say that those who use Traditional Chinese Medicine as their basis for strikes and defense use a lot more than just simple acupuncture theory as their means of causing an effect. Please contact someone who can explain these theories in detail if you want to pursue that path.

Let’s go back to the basic question, “What is a pressure point?” Instead of saying that our definitions don’t work let’s, define a pressure point as a point that causes a known reaction. Based on that definition, I think you will shortly see that the realm of what is a pressure point and how to use pressure points effectively becomes far more useful for both combat and self-defense. Furthermore pressure points become far more objective because either it causes an observable effect or it does not!

But to make pressure points work (objectively) you have to understand some details.

The first thing you have to understand is that you can actually divide pressure points into three categories. ONLY one of these categories (the category called Reflex Pressure Points) is always going to work – every time, on everybody. The other two levels work sometimes based on rules. We are going to talk about the different levels here so that you can understand the differences, then we are going to give those rule and some concrete examples in the next article.

The first level or type we are going to study is a level 1 or Pain Type Pressure Points.

This type of pressure point is what most people think of when they think of a pressure point. This is the typical point, that when stimulated causes pain. These type of pressure points do work, sometimes! PLEASE note here that I said nothing what so ever about level 1 pressure point’s always causing a reaction. (See Miller’s book “Pressure Points: The Deadly Touch” for further details about the types of body structure, which can be stimulated and cause a pressure point reaction – available in FightingArts.com e-store under “Pressure Points” in the “Books” section).

If you stimulate a level 1 pressure point you may (if the person can feel it) cause pain but that may or may not cause a reaction. Let’s take the example of the classic kick to the groin. Now most people understand that this CAN be a very effective strike but they also understand that such is not always true. With the right training or certain drugs in your opponent’s system

(more common), a kick to the groin will not drop the person. Examples of this are a person high on PCP.

Another classic example of level 1 pressure points not working is on the subset of people called non-responders. Approximately 10 to 15 % of the general population are partial non-responders and with training just about anyone can learn to be a partial non-responder to level 1 effects. (For more information see Miller’s book, “The Mental Warrior” in FightingArts.com e-store under “Pressure Points” in the “Book” section).

In both of the cases above we have caused pain but have not had an effect! Well that is the reality of level 1 pressure points. They cause pain but only work against those that feel the pain.

If you follow me then you are beginning to see why there can definitely be some confusion about whether pressure points work or not. Some people judge ALL pressure points by level 1 pressure points alone (because that is all they have been taught) and when they see that they do not always work, they discount pressure point theory.

If you are a pressure points believer then please do not discredit this viewpoint simply because you have experiences that prove to you that pressure points work. I can personally understand why someone would not want to put their faith in a system that works only part of the time.

In fact I would not waste my time on pressure points either if level 1 pressure points were all that there was to the system. Our original concept was that we need a tool that works. However like the punch it may not always work but it is a useful tool and a needed part of your arsenal. However unlike the punch there are levels of pressure points to learn and the other levels do have the ability to work sometimes even when level 1 points do not.

The second level of pressure points are Muscle Pressure Points. Muscle pressure points only work on muscles and are useful when you stimulate muscle to stretch in certain directions. Stimulated correctly muscle pressure points cause an extremity or the entire body to respond. The problem is that the muscle cannot be excessively tight when you try to apply the pressure or it won’t work. And it is important to note that (1) they don’t rely on pain to cause their reaction, but (2) as I said above they have the weakness of being able to be nullified.

Muscle pressure points are used a lot in Tai Chi and are very effective. The main reason why they are so effective using Tai Chi techniques are because of hidden principles in the techniques that cause the person to unlock or relax the muscle you are attacking. This is done with techniques that are beyond this article, but for those who understand the combat applications of Tai Chi, they can use these principles all the time.

The third type of pressure point is called Reflex Pressure Points. This type of pressure points is the most interesting subtype of pressure points to my way of looking at it.

Reflex pressure points are different from both level 1 and level 2 pressure points because pain is definitely not required for them to work. I call reflex pressure points Level 3 type pressure points.

Notice that I said that these reflex pressure points do not cause much if any pain when stimulated. That makes them different than the usual type of pressure points that most people think of when they think of a pressure point.

NOTE: I will freely admit that stimulation of a reflex pressure point most likely will cause an uncomfortable feeling, but the feeling is definitely not what one would call pain. However, the important thing is that stimulating these points causes a FIXED reaction that is hardwired into the body and the person thus HAS to respond. Thus there is no such thing as a non-responder. That includes people who are high on drug or mentally ill.

The fact is ONLY level 3 pressure points work all the time. Unlike level 2 pressure points they do not require pain to do their action and unlike level 2 pressure points they cannot be blocked.

Now before you think “well, why bother with level 1 and level 2 pressure points at all when level 3 works every time,” there is a fact you must know. That fact is that the number of available pressure points in the body decreases with each level. Thus there are far more level 1 pressure points available in the body than there are level 2 points. Unfortunately there are even fewer level 3 pressure points than there are level 2 pressure points.

There are some other limitations too, but we will cover those in the next article. However I will let you know that there are several different types of level 3 reflex pressure point that exist.

I hope this helps define what I see as some of the confusion in pressure points and why some people don’t believe that pressure points work. Furthermore I hope that you will be able to use this new definition to better understand and use pressure points on the street.

The second article in the series:Pressure Points: Some Observations On Their Use

Pressure Points 2: Some Observations On Their UseBy Bruce Everett Miller, PA-C

Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series by Bruce Miller that describe different types of pressure points and their effectiveness as well as how to use them. Article 1 was “Going to the Heart Of Pressure Points: What They Really Are.”

In our last article we talked about some of the reasons why there is confusion about whether or not pressure points work and why, in my opinion, some people probably legitimately believe that pressure points do not work. I broached the subject of the three different types of pressure points and I promised to provide more examples of these different types of pressure points and how to tell them apart. I also promised to talk about some of the limitations of each type and why you would not simply focus on level 3 reflex pressure points.

Okay, here goes:

Pressure Points Review

Type 1- Pain: most common, but not always reliable.

Type 2 - Muscle: may not cause pain, and can be nullified.

Type 3 – Reflex: least common, do not necessarily cause pain, but most reliable.

If you remember I gave the fact that the number of available pressure points in the body decrease with each level. Thus,

there are far more level 1 pressure points in the body than there are level 2 points. Unfortunately, there are even fewer level 3 pressure points than there are level 2 pressure points.

Still, even with that limitation (of numbers), why would anyone waste time trying to use level 1 or level 2 pressure points that may or may not work when one can simply use a level 3 (reflex pressure point) and guarantee the end to the fight?

Well, a major reason to learn the entire system is because the location of level 3 reflex pressure points are such that it is not always easy to get to them. For example, many reflex pressure points are located on or close to the center line of the body. And most (real) opponents will not simply let you walk up and stick your finger or fist into their centerline. So, when faced with a real situation, you might initially have to use other pressure points or other techniques so that you are able to get your hands to the reflex pressure points you are targeting (to be able to control your opponent or end the fight). Once you get there, the reality of the fight is all over; but again it still takes more than one simple answer to end the fight, which is the reality of pressure points.

So let’s back up a bit. Level 3 reflex pressure points are often located on the center line making it harder to get to them, while level 1 and level 2 pressure points are located all over the body. Now this would seem to feed into the rationale of those emphatically opposed to pressure points. I can hear it now – mostly because I have had this conversation before: “What if the person is a non-responder or high on drugs? You could be in situation where you can’t get to level 3 reflex pressure points.

Meaning your whole system is invalid.” Well, this would be very true except for how we described pressure points to begin with: as points where you get a reaction. I said that level 2 pressure points don’t always work, but in this case I think you will see that if they don’t work, it is okay also.

One of those several special case pressure points that can force the person to open up their center-line (there are more, this is but one example) is a kick to the knee! If done CORRECTLY, a kick to the knee (with follow-through) will cause the person’s knee and butt to move backwards and their face to move down and forward.

Now again, be aware that this is a level 2 type pressure point and it can be nullified. How? By tightening the knee. However, the knee has to be really tight to prevent this from working and frankly it is hard for your opponent to walk or to move after you when both knees are being held at maximum contraction.

This concept is VERY important. While level 2 pressure points can be nullified, this is usually because there is so much muscle tension that they cannot be rolled. And if there is that much tension, the use of that muscle group is hard to accomplish so…you get the point (no pun intended).

Furthermore, the reverse is also true: once you have unlocked the muscle tension (classically with a level 3 pressure point strike), the muscles CAN be rolled and level 2 pressure points now work again.

Does it work with a person high on PCP? You bet it does! I have had personal experience. In this case the person (patient) was

very high, agitated and out to destroy anyone who got close. When he grabbed me, his arm was very tight but a tap to the gag reflex (usually a finger quickly pressed into the notch at the base of the throat just abovethe sternal notch) loosened up everything allowing me to rake across his brachioradalis (the muscle just below the elbow on the thumb side through which runs branches of the radial nerve) and take away his balance. Once I owned his balance, it was easy to guide him, face down, to the floor in a controlled situation where no one had to get hurt.

As I have said before, there are no magical answers. There are just good tools to be used. In my opinion pressure points, used correctly, are simply such a tool.

In part three in this series I will provide some examples of each of the three types of pressure points that are used to show you the underlying principles.

Pressure Points 3: Types Of PointsBy Bruce Everett Miller, PA-C

Editor’s Note: This is the third article in a series by Bruce Miller that describe different types of pressure points and their effectiveness as well as how to use them. Article 1 was “Going to the Heart Of Pressure Points: What They Really Are”, and article 2 was “Pressure Points 2:Some Observations On Their Use.”

In our first article we talked about some of the reasons why there is confusion about whether or not pressure points work and why, in my opinion, some people probably legitimately believe that pressure points do not work. I broached the subject of the three different types of pressure points and in my second article I

made some observations about their use.

In this article we will cover examples of the 3 different types and particularly we will show at least one example of each type. Please be aware that I have chosen points which will show you the underlying principles. Therefore don’t just take this one example of each type as the only point. Instead, use that principle to unlock the other points of the body. I will also talk about some of the limitations of each type and why you would not simply focus on level 3 reflex pressure points.

Level 1 Pressure Points

Level 1 pressure points are the most common pressure points there are. These are the types that people generally think of when they think of pressure points. In short, Level 1 pressure points are those pressure points that REQUIRE pain (their effect) to make them work.. NOTE that does not mean that every pressure point that you stimulate which hurts is a level 1 pressure point. Sometimes level 2 type pressure points will also hurt when they are stimulated. However, the difference is that level 1 pressure points REQUIRE pain to work whereas level 2 pressure points do not require pain to work but may hurt when stimulated.

A perfect example of level 1 pressure points is an arm bar or wrist lock. These can have dramatic effect on your opponent but in some non-responders you can actually break the bones before they will feel much if any pain.

Now I will freely admit that the real effect of a level 1 pressure point is the reaction the opponent’s body exhibits when

he feels the pain. Suddenly he stops trying to attack you by other means and tries to deal with the pain that is being produced. In fact, this is the intent of level 1 pressure points: to cause this body reaction. But please be aware that the pain itself is only a vehicle to get you to the point that the opponent concentrates on the pain or cannot function due to the pain.

Also be very aware that if the person does not feel pain, then you are not going to be able to do what you want. In our last article we gave an example of a kick to the groin. We admitted that it caused pain in most people but in a small subset it does not. In those people who do not care about the pain whether from training, drugs or mental illness, level 1 pressure points are close to worthless.

So how can you tell? Well, mostly you find out by experimentation. Because level 1 pressure points are very common and located all over the body, you can try striking a point on the way in. If the person responds, it tells you something, if not it still tells you something important.

Another level 1 type of pressure points are the edges of bones. A classic example is the shin kick. Most people know this already but most have never stop to think about the fact that you only have to run your foot down the edge of the shin (or any other bone edge) to cause sharp pain. If the person is not drugged, high or mentally ill, then they are most likely going to have a very pronounced reaction. Again, though it is the reaction you are looking for, your end goal is not simply the pain; for the pain will go away quickly once you stop. Be prepared to use the reaction in advance and you will have a

great tool.

There are ways to make the bone pain last longer. And there are also organ (more than you would expect), tendon, muscle, nerve and other types of organs that can be stimulated to cause level 1 pressure point reactions. The full rules of level 1 pressure points are laid out in my book Pressure Points: The Deadly Touch (sold in FightingArts.com’s E-store).

Level 2 Muscle Pressure Points

Instead of hitting, try this one: Use a knuckle fist to run downward (quickly) on the muscles just lateral to the centerline of the chest.

When you simply punch people, what you will notice is that they back up, but most of the time they still hang on with most of their strength. However, when you run a knuckle fist or eye of the phoenix (a fist with the first knuckle extended) quickly down their muscles, they not only back up but also move their hips backward, bend their knees (a little) and drop their weight downward. While most of the time they still have their hands on you there is very little strength in their hands. By the way, it also brings their face closer to you.

I will freely admit that this effect may not last long in a determined opponent and you can only count on about 1/2 of a second before they will begin to regain their composure (and strength in their arms), BUT a half second is a relatively long time if you are prepared to use it.

Another classic effect of level 2 pressure points is the carving motion found in a lot of Tai Chi moves which causes the whole

body to swing and works even if the person does not feel pain (meaning it works in most non responders). However, this carving effect is NOT a level 3 response because it can be blocked by tightening the muscles of the forearm. (See my upcoming works on advanced subject class for more on carving and slipping … expected release date OCT 2004.)

The fact is that done correctly, you can stimulate most muscles to have an effect. However, it can be tricky knowing how to do so. Even more important than knowing how to stimulate the muscle is knowing in advance what reaction you are going to get. Remember we said you only have about 1/2 second. If you spend that time observing the reaction, you are not going to be able to capitalize on it. If you know in advance what is going to happen then you can make the most of it.

Level 3 Reflex Pressure Points

Here is a perfect example of a level 3 pressure point. Not only does it work every time (IF you do it correctly) but it does not cause pain. Please be aware that it does cause an uncomfortable feeling but if you examine the feeling you will find it is not pain, instead it is a combination of queasiness and anxiety.

By the way, first I am going to give you the level 3 reflex pressure points and then I am going to show you how to combine a level 1 pressure point and a level 3 pressure point at the same time to get maximum effect.

Why waste your time on Level 1 pressure points when I have said that level 3 reflex pressure points always work? Well, that is

true but (1) I am trying to teach you a principle here of how to “unlock’ an opponent (a term we use in Quan Li K’An which means taking away the resistance that people use to fight the effects of level 1 & 2 pressure points) and (2) I am trying to teach you how to think about combining points and principles for maximum effect.

Okay, the reflex we are going to use is the gag reflex. Now many people know about this reflex so the knowledge of its existence is definitely not earth shattering or some kind of secret. However, with a bit of knowledge here we can make this point a lot more effective for you AND teach you some principles that apply to many other points.

Okay, the gag reflex point is located on the middle of the lower, anterior neck, just above the sternal notch.

Now some people will be hesitant thinking that this area is weak and that you are going to damage the throat by pushing here, but let me assure you that while pressing here will feel uncomfortable, you are not going to damage the neck at this location. That is because underneath the point are rings of thick cartilage.

In order for this to work, though, you HAVE to press quickly. If you press slowly, then the person can resist because the gag reflex, which is part of the breathing system, is only stimulated externally by sudden changes in stimulation (See Advanced Pressure Points: The System of Pressure Points for more on the 5 different systems – available in FightingArts.com’s E-store) I suggest that you press with one supported finger in the middle of the neck at this location.

If you have done this correctly you will see the person back up quickly. How far he backs up is in direct proportion to how hard and how fast you push. It is possible to have him launch himself into the wall behind him with all his muscles.

In order to get even more effect, this time I want you to run your fingers on the bone edge of the top part of the sternal notch (hard) so that you are rubbing bone as you press the gag reflex. The bone part is the level 1 pressure point stimulation and the sharp pain will take away any resistance he may have had from your finger or thumb entering this area. Done correctly you should see an enhanced effect.

This is a classic example of how I use pressure points. I frequently use a combination of such points knowing full well that if the level 1 pressure point doesn’t work, then the level 3 will. If both points work, then I am even better off as my opponent is not.

Here are some typical types of Reflex pressure points:

1 - Cardiac Points: they drop the blood pressure. (No, they don’t stop the heart).

2 - Light force knockout points (vascular and RAS stimulation – see The Complete Book of Light Force Knockouts for more on this subject -- available in FightingArts.com’s E-store).

3 - Breathing

Points (points that cause a dramatic decrease in the ability to breathe).

4 - Balance disruption points.

5 - Brain protection points (points that cause hard-wired reaction designed to protect the brain and have nothing to do with pain).

Okay, several times in this and the previous article we talked about muscle points being invalidated when you contract the muscles too hard. Well, how about a technique that makes a tightened muscle weak and unable to tighten fully? Welcome to Poison Hand muscle attacks. In the next article we will compare the muscle attacks of poison hands and those of pressure points.

Vital Points or Vital Principles?By Keith Morgan

Many Martial Arts have changed in the twentieth century, particularly the Japanese systems, especially since the end of World War II. I would even suggest that the majority practiced today are closer to "Leisure Arts" than Martial Arts, and for many reasons.

I can only comment from the perspective of Japanese systems,

as it is a Japanese Art that I practice, but the principles, hopefully, should reach across the full spectrum of systems practiced today.

The perspective of "Do" rather than "Jutsu" has seen a decline in combat effectiveness of many systems, be it through sporting or spiritual developments. Historically however, it was the military class, or Bushi and Samurai, that practiced the various combat arts, and it was only after their abolition in 1876 that the arts were exposed on a wider scale to thepublic and civilians. The criteria for learning, however, was different from that of feudal warriors. The techniques had to be altered, watered down, or abandoned altogether. Many Ryu did in fact die out rather than expose their teachings to non-military practitioners.

Then the West was introduced to these systems, which further altered, changed, "modernized" and generally lowered the standards of tuition and training. This has resulted today in the arts being a world wide multi-million pound (dollar) industry, with the arts being constantly fragmented, re-packaged, and re-marketed to not only a gullible public, but even more gullible practitioners, always looking, I believe, for the easy fix, or that ever elusive "secret" of the arts. There is only one secret in the arts: Practice! Practice! Practice!

The latest craze, (secret?) now is Pressure Point Fighting, or Kyosho Jutsu, or Dim Mak, or whatever label you wish to use. And boy, has this been marketed by some individuals and organizations, to the point of even re-naming certain basics! "Players to the game" I do not understand, but Gensoku, or basic principles, I do. This is what is missing in today's modern

practice. Students are too eager to want everything today, the short cut, and there are many "teachers" only too eager to pass on certain dubious knowledge. Students, in fact modern practitioners, are now collectors of techniques, and a clutter of theoretical reasons of why it should work , even if the theory cannot be practiced because it is so dangerous! Would you like to defend yourself on a theory?

Students no longer study the basic principles in their art, the very essence of what makes it work and why. The most important principle that I could teach my students is Zanshin; basically "Total Awareness," although it does have deeper connotations. It could be said that if your zanshin is true and complete you will never get into a fight, be it defensive or offensive.

When it comes to teaching self-defense techniques, then this is surely the greatest of them all. A student can learn a myriad of techniques, yet never have the confidence to execute them; but with zanshin should there be a need? The majority of attackers in the street are looking for victims, not adversaries. So teach students the importance of posture, body language, assertiveness , avoidance , observation , and basic common sense : where would you park your car? How would you park it? Where would you sit on a train or a bus ? How to enter/exit buildings . Where to stand in a lift. How to walk down a sidewalk/pavement. The list is almost endless. Teach your students the three "A" 's :

AwarenessAssessment(Appropriate) Action

Teach this and instill confidence and not paranoiac fear. As students become more experienced, so principles of Sen (timing) Heiho (tactics) Ma-ai (distancing) Tai-sabaki (body movement) are introduced and explained. Basic Fundamental Principles that have to be utilized before any technique can work , no matter how fanciful your knowledge is of the "effect" of pressure points.

A sound knowledge of awareness is far superior than an academic knowledge of pressure points. This is not to disparage pressure points or their alleged effectiveness. Within my own system higher grades learn the meridian system, In-Yo (Yin/Yang) theory, Five Element Theory, Tsubo location, as well as anatomy and physiology. But this is to enhance their base line techniques, not to replace them. I have seen many believe that a cursory knowledge of where to hold, touch, stroke, brush or hit will have dynamic results. But this is not the case. The physics of the techniques, angles, leverage, and body mechanics have to be understood, applied and mastered first. It is this knowledge that makes a technique work, not pressure point knowledge.

What's The Point?Speculations On the First Move From Pinan Kata Two, Pressure Points And The Reality Of The Death Touch

by Ronald van de Sandt

In today's martial arts community there is always discussion about pressure points, vital spots, nerve strikes, dim mak techniques (1), etc. The age old questions of whether these points are real, are contained within katas, and are effective in combat have been a cause of great controversy. One often hears heated discussions among martial artists concerning

meridians, chi flow, time tables of when to strike and such. Perhaps the answers to these questions can be found through the analysis of just one such technique which can be found in a common karate kata called Pinan (Heian) Nidan (Shodan in my style). (2)

While reading a jujitsu book one day, which describes jujitsu techniques of the 1800's ("Japan's Ultimate Martial Art: Jujitsu Before 1882 The Classical Japanese Art Of Self Defense," by Darrel Max Craig), I was startled to find many pressure point strikes (atemi waza) that were very similar to moves and techniques within katas of my own style. One such "atemi waza" technique is very similar to the first move in Pinan Nidan (two). Here I have drawn my own

interpretation of this move. (3)

The opening move of the kata typically consists of a left outward side block, and a simultaneous right upper block, as you step to the left into a cat stance (in my style a horse stance) simulating a defense against an attack coming from your left side.

One common explanation of this move is a block of two incoming strikes (from the left and from the front). Others suggest this first move is a set up for the following move of the kata (not shown) that it is a throw or take down, or some variation thereof.

However, the jujitsu book I was reading showed a similar technique that in karate could be interpreted as the upper arm blocking or controlling a punch or an attempted grab, while the other arm strikes (spear hand) upward to the armpit.

According to the book, a successful spearhand strike into this area would create immediate pain and swelling in the armpit, and a hard lump would appear within about 15 minutes. Other symptoms would include a bitter taste in the mouth, a dry throat, and nausea. The next day the victim of this attack would experience a loss of appetite, have difficulty breathing, and

experience a sharp pain running from the affected arm, down the rib cage, to the hips. Next would come coughing, the pain in his side would move to the chest, and he would begin to vomit a frothy, white fluid, similar to potato broth in appearance. Finally he would experience overall weakness, leading to death.

I decided to do some research. I began looking for modern medical reasons why this technique might be deadly. I was also examining it for combat effectiveness.

Now, I'll state right off the bat that I'm not a medical expert, nor have I had any medical training outside of basic first aid and CPR. But being of the curious sort, I looked up Henry Gray's 1918

publication of "Anatomy Of The Human Body" to see what was

anatomically located in that area that could possibly cause this to be a fatal strike with these types of symptoms.

I learned that the armpit is a major junction of thickly packed arteries, veins and nerves leading to the arms which are largely unprotected by muscle mass or bone. The following illustration shows some of these elements, but is limited since arteries, veins and nerves overlap. In yellow is the brachial plexus (a complex web of nerves that start in the lower neck, go down under the collar bone) as it

branches into the axillary, radial, median and ulner nerves which innervate the arm.(4) In red is the axillary artery, the thick root of much of the arm's artery network. The brachial vein which runs through this area and is fed by a major part of the arm's return blood system is not shown. Neither are the lymph glands that are also found in this area. Thus, a concentrated sharp upward strike to this region could cause damage, shock, impede function, cause swelling or rupture one or more of these systems. (5)

In order to get at this junction, the arm must be raised, which explains the position of the other arm (upper block). The other arm/hand would block an incoming punch, then grab and slightly raise the opponent's arm, exposing the normally protected vital spot to a devastating strike.

By looking at the pictures, and reading where and to what the junctions are connected, I surmised that sufficient damage to these arteries and nerves could very well kill a person by internal bleeding caused by the rupturing of arteries, interruption of blood flow, interruption of nerve signals to the brain and by swelling, etc. Death could probably occur in minutes or several hours depending on the accuracy and strength of the strike. A hard strike in that location could immediately eliminate the use of the arm struck, and I imagine the pain would be very intense, effectively eliminating the opponent from the battle. How fast the rupture bleeds would determine the amount of time before death occurred, and it appears that ruptures such as these are difficult to repair, even with today's technology.

In addition, the stimulation and damage of the various nerves

would cause one to feel nauseous and dizzy corresponding to the description stated in the jujitsu book, and could also account for the frothy vomit. In the days when most katas were formed, there was not the medical knowledge and surgical techniques readily available to correct the damage, and therefore the damage could have been fatal, effectively eliminating a potential future opponent bent on killing you, or one of your allies or family. In addition, since your enemy's family probably depended on him for survival, his death could reduce their chances of survival as well, effectively reducing potential future enemies.

This does not sound like the philosophy of pacifist monks, but goes along quite well with the philosophy of professional soldiers and warriors, especially among Mongol tribes and the like. In a life or death battle for your, or a family member's, or a fellow soldier's, life, would you prefer to merely block, or deal an effective, killing blow to the attacker?

One strike, very fast, very painful, very deadly. If I were preparing a student, a son, a fellow soldier, on how to survive a "battle to the death", this definitely would be one technique I would include. It's not fancy, it's not complicated, it does not take a great deal of practice to perfect, and it gets the job done quickly and with finality. Ideal traits for a battle technique, are they not?

I concluded that this technique in particular was based on medical fact. When I subsequently compared various martial arts "pressure point" and "meridian charts" with medical anatomical charts of nerves and arteries, I was surprised to find out that the majority of the points are really

junctions of nerves and arteries. Then when I compared the "blocks and strikes" of my style's katas, I was amazed how often the block or strike was in the proximity of one of those junctions, usually one of the major ones like the one described in this article.

This alone brings new meaning to the concept of kata, and provides a motive to study human anatomy and apply what you learn to kata practice. And in reflecting on the history of Chinese based martial arts, one realizes that the Shaolin Monks, and the other martial arts masters, were also often asked to be the medics and doctors of their society. So, are pressure points, vital spots, nerve strikes, etc. real and effective?

Footnotes:

(1) The Chinese science of attacking the body and/or its acupuncture points or centers so as disrupt internal energy (ki in Japanese or chi, or qi depending on the translation in Chinese), organs, or blood flow to cause injury, or death - immediately, or hours, days or weeks later.

(2) The first two katas in the Pinan series of five where changed in the early 20th century when karate was brought to mainland Japan from Okinawa where it had been developed. Thus in many karate organizations the original Pinan Shodan (Pinan one) was switched with Pinan Nidan (Pinan two). In my style the kata discussed here is Pinan Shodan (one), but realizing that most systems practice it as Pinan Nidan, it was so named in the title of this article.

(3) My illustration does not exactly depict the technique as shown in the jujitsu book. Instead it is an interpretation of how it might have been adapted to karate.

(4) The brachial plexus begins at T1 and includes spinal segments up to C5 (roots) with some contribution of C4. The initial roots turn into trunks and various divisions which become the

axillary, radial, median and ulner nerves.

(5) Traditional Chinese Medicine too assigns this area importance. It is the beginning of the heart meridian that starts in the armpit and terminates on the inside of the little finger next to the top of the fingernail. A strike to this area is thought to be able to shock or stop the heart.

Links of interest

Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences 1976 XXXI(1):3-16; doi:10.1093/jhmas/XXXI.1.3

A Chinese Coroner's Manual and the Evolution of AnatomyYNEZ VIOLÉ O'NEILL and GERALD L. CHAN

Also inJSTOR

Forensic Medicine in Pre-Imperial China

Derk Bodde Journal of the American

Oriental Society, Vol. 102, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1982), pp. 1-15 (article consists of 15 pages) JSTOR