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Pressure points are specific areas on the body where concentrations of nerves are relatively exposed. Many of these points correspond with acupuncture points used in Chinese medicine and are linked to the body's nervous system and 14 meridians, or pathways that carry energy to vital organs. The pressure points act as "gates" from which the flow of energy can be manipulated.
These points can be positively or negatively activated through striking, rubbing, or pressing. Chinese medicine focuses on positive reactions, using a total of more than 700 pressure points for healing. Several martial arts, on the other hand, target the certain pressure points that directly send feeling to the nervous system and deliver pain, paralysis, or even fatal injury more effectively. Students learn to strike, rub, and press these points to produce different reactions: striking to shock or cause immediate and maximum pain, pressing to create constant pain via a push, lock or immobilization technique, and rubbing to cause friction or release.
There
are three major things students must learn to activate pressure points
accurately and effectively:
-
The location of the point
-
The specific manner to stimulate the point (e.g. striking, rubbing,
or pressing)
-
The angle at which to strike the point
Roll your mouse over the interactive media below to see the major pressure points that martial artists use. There are also short descriptions of how pressure is applied and the type of injury that can result.
Major
pressure points
Head
Head
(front)
F1:
Eyes
Very dangerous, can cause blindness or vision impairment.
F2:
On the Nose
Used in close-range attack or defense to startle, confuse, or cause watering
of the opponent's eyes.
F3:
Base of Neck
Pain, paralysis and internal bleeding.
F4:
Windpipe
Very dangerous, the smallest pressure to the windpipe can cause fatal
damage, choking, or gasping.
F5:
Throat
Most vulnerable part of the windpipe. Applying light pressure can easily
push the assilant back without great harm. However, if absolutely necessary,
great pressure can be applied to fatally injure the throat.
Head
(side)
S1:
Temple Area
Shock to the brain, resulting in hemorrhaging and even death.
S2:
At the Ear
Pain, hearing impairment, or even brain injury.
S3:
Side of Nose
Used if the opponent is behind; can cause head to draw back, bleeding,
pain, or bone fracturing.
S4:
Under the Jaw
Jabbing or poking this area with the knuckles or fingers can cause significant
pain.
S5:
Under the Chin
Useful for a person who is shorter than his opponent; can be used to unbalance
or render the assailant unconscious.
S6:
Side of Neck
Pain, stunning, unconsciousness, or fatal injury.
Head
(back)
B1:
Base of Skull
Pain, headache, and fatal shock to the brain or spinal cord.
B2:
Base of Neck
Pain, paralysis, and internal bleeding.
Body
(front)
F1:
Solar Plexus
Although the amount of risk depends on how hard a strike is dealt and
the health of the assailant, blows to the solar plexus cause temporary
or permanent loss of breath, pain and shock, and fatal injury to vital
organs.
Body
(side)
S1:
Side of Body
Grinding or digging can result in fracture or rupture of the kidney.
Body
(back)
B1:
Between Shoulder Blades
Damage, shock, or hurt the heart and aortic arch, which controls the body's
blood flow.
B2:
Kidney Area
This is the lower half of the kidneys that is fairly unprotected by the
ribs, susceptible to serious internal injury.
Arm
(front)
F1:
Forearm Mount
Little force or pressure is required to effect pain from this area, used
to distract or numb the assailant.
F2:
Inside of Elbow Joint
Bending and numbing of the arm.
Arm
(side)
S1:
Lower Forearm
Pain or bone bruising.
S2:
Wrist
Deflecting or causing numbing pain .
S3:
Back of Hand
Grinding or digging movements often used to inflict pain in this area.
Arm
(back)
B1:
Back of Upper Arm
Pain, numbness and muscle spasms.
B2:
Outside of Elbow Joint
Pain or disabling of the entire arm.
Legs
(front)
F1:
Groin
The classic area targeted by kicks (knees or feet), hits, or grabs; a
slight strike to the groin can be excruciatingly painful.
F2:
Upper Inner Thigh
This is the sensitive area located halfway above the knee; attacks can
cause pain and numbing of the legs.
F3:
Knee
Direct, straight kicks to the knee cause injury, while indirect kicks
unbalance the assailant. Overall, attacks to the knees cause serious injury
to the ligaments, cartilage, and bones.
Legs
(side)
S1:
Shin
Pain, fracture, and bruises.
S2:
Instep
In this upper area of the foot, pain or fracturing of the foot bones can
result. students typically stamp on the instep.
S3:
Ankle
Fracturing, spraining, or both can result.
Leg
(back)
B1:
Tailbone
With force, a blow to the tailbone can cause pain, or even permanent damage
to the spinal cord.
B2:
Back of Thigh
Pain or muscle spasms.
B3:
Back of Knee
Strikes or kicks to the back of the knees cause buckling of the knees
and eventual collapse. They can be applied on all sides and very efficient.
B4:
Calf
Pain and muscle spasms.
B5:
Achilles' tendon
Significant pain and tearing to the tendon.
Note:
Because of the severe damage that can be caused by attacks to pressure
points, there comes great responsibility with this knowledge. Ultimately,
these pressure points should never be used unless an experienced person
is in a life-endangering situation and has no alternative method of escape.
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