The feasibility of combating pressure points

I’m not an expert on pressure point fighting at least not on the same plane as George Dillman or Erle Montague or others who may be out there that I haven’t come across yet. I first learned the concept of pressure points when I was just beginning my martial arts journey in 1967. However, there was never a discussion of pressure points or how they related to meridians. We were told to use our ki in our techniques, but were never taught how to tap into that energy source. In 1985 I took a massage class as part of my jujitsu training. I learned the Okazaki Long Life massage and the accompanying elements included ki flow, meridians and specific points. We were taught that we could use the same points to hurt or heal and it depended on our intention what the effect was: hurt or heal.

After a pretty good basic understanding of “planks”, I went back to practicing karate but with a better understanding of the techniques. The more I learned about jujitsu, the more I learned about karate. In 1994 I started training with a Hwa Rang Do teacher who happened to be blind. I learned many interesting concepts about ki, ki flow and healing techniques known as Kiatsu. I also learned that if he combined jujitsu and karate it was a lot like Hwa Rang Do.

In the years that followed, I did an exhaustive search for more information on the use of pressure points. I also conducted a study of the use of pressure points in relation to the use of joint locks and constrictions. I studied all the good texts I could find on fighting pressure points. Trust me, there aren’t many good martial arts books available. Either they are really good or they are marginal in the concepts that they present or in the application of the techniques.

From some of the material (marginal in my opinion) I learned that the use of pressure points and ki flow was irrelevant and probably didn’t exist because it couldn’t be measured. However, knowledge of pressure points and meridians was good, because they tracked nerves, blood vessels, and other sensitive and vital parts of the human anatomy. If ki flow and meridians weren’t relevant or didn’t work, why has it remained viable in acupuncture, acupressure, shiatsu, kiatsu and other eastern healing arts and techniques for over 5000 years? If there wasn’t something in there that worked, it would have disappeared just like many martial arts “styles” that didn’t work.

Right now my martial arts training consists of the three arts mentioned above: Jujitsu (Dan Zan Ryu), Karate (Shotokan), Hwa Rang Do plus Haganah (Israeli). All the hard techniques (Karate and Hwa Rang Do) are performed to support and prepare the soft techniques (Jujitsu). Haganah (like Krav Maga on steroids!) adds a unique mindset to the mix. That mentality is one of survival and victory.

How is this concept used? With each entry to a jujitsu technique there are 1 to 5 strikes which include punches, elbows, knee strikes and kicks. It also includes headbutts, body shots, and eye gouges. Each blow is aimed at a vital part of the anatomy, that is, pressure points. Included in the training is an elementary understanding of crossed meridians, elemental theory, yin/yang and, to a lesser extent, the diurnal cycle. If I am attacked at 10:00 pm, I am not going to wait until 1:00 am to leave my attacker cold!

With each joint lock there is a previous strike to set up the joint lock so that it can be used with little or no resistance. Catching a fist flying into my nose and doing a joint lock is possible but not very likely. If I first evade the attack and hit my attacker in Triple Warmer 17, for example, I can do the joint lock with no stamina. For every set block there is a shot or two. Then after the release there is a constriction: say armbar or choke/choke. [Note: I did not blast Adam when he tried to punch me in the nose. I did a light slap on the tip of his nose and got excellent results.]

Another relevant topic: traditional kata teach you where these points are and the angle from which they should be thrown. Is that really a block you’re doing or is it a map showing where to hit? Or are they both?

Let’s get more specific and look at a technique, analyze it and see if the concept really works.

The Technique: Figure 4 Takedown (Tekubi Shigarami)

Pressure Points Used: Triple Warmer 23, Gallbladder 1, Heart 6, Lung 8, Lung 5

How to do the technique: I will use information taken directly from my kata manual for Second Level Techniques (Jokyu Yarawa).

A note to purists: we do not use Japanese names or terms for various reasons. One is that we have a tendency to massacre pronunciation and that makes us look like idiots and, in my opinion, disrespectful. In second place we are in the United States. This is now our art and our culture. We greatly honor and respect our elders who have brought us the art, but now it is ours and we will do it in English (American in general, Utah specifically).

9. Removal of Figure 4

The attacker delivers a right punch or right cross to the face or upper midsection level. The defender does the following:

1. Advance to the 11 o’clock position [Note: your opponent is always at the 12 o’clock position] with the left foot to the attacker’s right side while performing a sweep block. Grasp the attacker’s right wrist as close to the hand-forearm junction as possible with the right hand and squeeze Heart 6 and Lung 8. With the palm of the left hand strike TW 23/Gallbladder 1. [Located at the corner of the eye. Use caution and restraint in practice]. Strike upwards at a 45′ angle to the opponent’s head. This should be as close to simultaneity as possible.

2. Wrap your left arm around the attacker’s right arm. Initiating the technique, strike the inside of the opponent’s right elbow with the left forearm (Lung 5). Grab your right wrist with your left hand to make a figure four.

3. Swing your left foot in a wide arc behind you and to your right side. This will force the attacker to fall to the ground. Keep him positioned on his left side.

4. Hold a figure four while placing your toes under the attacker’s head and shoulder. The left knee is placed on the attacker’s jaw line. The right knee enters the ribs. Place the attacker’s elbow directly into your stomach and pull back. If the attacker’s wrist is not bent, use both hands to bend it. If this doesn’t work, punch him in the face and then bend his wrist. You can use both hands to pull the doll toward your stomach.

5. Upon submission, roll your opponent onto their face and move into a defensive position.

PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL APPLICATION

1. Build momentum with the movement of the hips.

2. Use distractions to cover your intent and short-circuit your opponent.

3. Put joints in opposition. [This creates complex torque.]

4. Immobilized joints create pain by stretching and straining the ligaments and tendons.

5. Control your opponent.

6. Use pressure point strikes as part of your distractions.

7. Always create a base.

We have listed a very basic jujitsu technique above. It works at high speed as I have done it with someone trying to punch me in the nose. The young man who made the punch became my student for a couple of years before fleeing to California to make movies. Be aware of the use of pressure point strikes when entering the technique. The hit on TW 23/GB 1, if done long enough, will cause a knockout and nothing else needs to be done. A lighter hit will cause a momentary “short circuit” where you have ½ to ¾ of a second to do what you want. The sweep block (ne gashi uke) deflects the attack and allows you to grab the wrist at H 6 and L 8. These points will weaken the wrist and act as an energy drain allowing you to bend the wrist, which in turn, it will encourage your partner to go to bed vigorously. The forearm strike on Lung 5 to the forearm will allow you to bend the opponent’s arm. Swinging your left foot in a big arc will move it in such a way as to create a void that your partner will happily fill. Note that at the end of the description there is a list of applicable principles. Learn the principles and how to apply them. Your techniques will be better for it.

This technique is found in Heian Yondan and Bassai if you are interested. The figure 4 takedown is performed with an elbow strike to the opponent’s face. Entry is made from a bar arm. The Knight Stance shows you the relationship of your position to that of your opponent. Traditional kata is made up of 85 percent jujitsu techniques. My apologies to those people who are doing mystical dances and have no idea what they are doing and why they are doing it. I can also say that knowledge in martial arts is an endless process. You can see the top of the mountain sometimes, but it always gets higher the more you study.

Train hard.