Pressure point

A pressure point (Japanese: kysho "vital point, tender spot";[1] Chinese: ; Telugu:
Marma Sthanam; Malayalam: marmam; Tamil: varmam) derives from the
meridian points in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in the field of martial arts, and refers to an area
on the human body that may produce significant pain or other effects when manipulated in a
specific manner. Techniques of attacks on pressure points are called Hyol Do Bup (Hangul: ;
) in Korean martial arts and kysho-jutsu (Japanese: ) in various styles of Japanese
martial arts.

The concept of pressure points is present in old school (17th century) Japanese martial arts and is
claimed to have an even earlier history; in a 1942 article in the Shin Budo magazine, Takuma Hisa
asserted the existence of a tradition attributing the first development of pressure-point attacks to
Shinra Sabur Minamoto no Yoshimitsu (10451127).[2]

Hancock and Higashi (1905) published a book which pointed out a number of vital points in Japanese
martial arts.[3]

Exaggerated accounts of pressure-point fighting appeared in Chinese Wuxia fiction and became
known by the name of Dim Mak, or "Death Touch", in western popular culture in the 1960s.

While it is undisputed that there are sensitive points on the human body where even comparatively
weak pressure may induce significant pain or serious injury, the association of kysho with notions
of Death is controversial.[4]
















Types




The nervous system.

There are several types of pressure points each is
applied differently and each creates a different effect.
"Pain points", for example, use tendons, ligaments, and
muscles; the goal is to temporarily immobilize the
target, or, at the very least, to distract them. "Reflex
points" produce involuntary movements, for example,
causing the hand to release its grip, the knees to buckle,
the target to gag, or even for the person to be knocked
unconscious.[5] Most pressure points are located on
pathways on the nervous system.
Pain

Some pressure points produce pain when struck,
pressed, or rubbed, depending on the point itself. These
points are also referred to as nerve centers. While the
distraction of pain might offer sufficient advantage in a
fight or escape, the body has a pain withdrawal reflex,
whereby it reacts to pain by moving away from the
source.[6] Martial artists can use this reflex with
minimal effort.

Blood and blood pressure

The baroreceptors in the carotid artery are pressure-sensitive, supplying the brain with information
to control systemic blood pressure. Pressure against this region will send signals that indicate that
blood pressure is too high, leading to a lowering of blood pressure.[7]
Break

There are certain areas that are likely to lead to a break if struck effectively, such as the "floating
ribs", the philtrum, and the side of the knee.
Hyper-extension

There are joints that, when struck, can be hyper-extended and even tear. The striking of these joints
can permanently damage one's opponent as well as cause shock damage. There are two types, as
follows:

Brute force takes advantage of the vulnerability of the strike point, usually a joint, thereby causing
damage.
Golgi organ strike, a relatively gentle strike to the Golgi tendon at the back of the elbow, which
triggers a reflex that immediately relaxes the tendon, allowing the elbow to bend more easily in the
wrong direction. If this is directly followed by a solid strike to the elbow joint, the elbow can be
broken with significantly less effort than it could through brute force.

Concussion

The brain is a sensitive organ which floats in cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid is a safety mechanism that
allows the head to take substantial impact without resulting in concussion, although such an impact
could still cause permanent brain damage. However, it is possible to deliver a blow using artful
techniques so that even these protections can be effectively eliminated, causing disorientation or
instantaneous knockout. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the
occipital ridge, at the correct angle, in the correct direction. Another well-known point with this
effect is the chin or lower jaw, giving rise to the boxing expression a "glass jaw".[8]