Tactical Techniques For Pressure Points

Many different martial arts include study of the pressure points in the human body. Pressure points are specific anatomical areas that when struck or manipulated by the experienced martial artist cause immobilization, pain or death. Tactical techniques that utilize pressure points should never be practiced except by a very experienced martial artist while under the supervision of a highly qualified teacher. Do not experiment with techniques involving these points without supervision.

  1. Pain

    • If you strike certain pressure points properly, your opponent will feel intense pain that inhibits him from attacking further. Some opponents will not prove vulnerable to this tactic, however, as training, adrenaline or drugs can cause some people to overlook even very intense pain. Areas that cause this type of pain include points along the front of the shin, which when kicked cause intense nerve and bone pain. The groin strike is another common pressure point tactic used to deal pain.

    Control

    • An experienced martial artist should be able to grab or press pressure points to exert control upon an opponent. Pressure points around the elbow, wrist, knee, hip and other joints aid martial artists in applying joint lock techniques. While joint locks can cause pain, they also mechanically lock the joint so even an opponent who isn't feeling pain is controllable.

    Seizing

    • Traditional martial arts systems teach that pressure points when seized create an energy interruption in the person being struck. These techniques rely on similar principles to Eastern medicine traditions such as acupuncture and acupressure. The techniques have direct consequences beyond energy disruption, however, and some seizing techniques on pressure points cause functional damage to the body, such as breaking bones or tearing ligaments. These techniques target weak points in the body's connective structure, such as the wrist or collarbone.

    Serious Injury

    • The most dangerous pressure point strikes cause serious injury or, in extreme circumstances, death. Special forces members train in these types of specialized strikes. Typically, they are not focused on by recreational martial artists. These techniques include methods of striking key points in the body such as the temple or the jugular vein with pinpoint accuracy and extreme force. These strikes should never be employed except in a situation where a person's life is at stake.