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Pressure Points Made Easy - New Method for a New Millennium

by

Brian Sente

Introduction

    Over the course of history there have been no two things so intrinsically linked as the martial arts and pressure points (variously referred to as dim mak, dim xue, kyusho, tuite, atemi, etc.). The study of one has of necessity involved the study of the other. As the martial arts have spread around the globe, certain factors have had negative effects on the general state of their development. The incomplete transmission of knowledge from teachers to students, the lack of written records, and a general lack of understanding have left us as martial artists with a plethora of martial arts which bear a greater resemblance to sport than to the classical self-defense traditions of the Orient. Therefore, in this modern era of exponential proliferation of martial styles, catering to a demographic that is primarily young and male, we find ourselves faced with the unique challenge of re-integrating the pressure point component into the modem martial arts arena.

    Since the reawakening of broad general interest in pressure points in the late 1970's, several pioneers have stepped to the forefront in the process of reestablishing pressure point usage in the martial arts. People in the US martial arts community as a whole have almost certainly heard the names Oyata, Dillman, Moneymaker, Montaigue and Miller, to name a few. The methods of instruction offered by these teachers, while broadly applicable to a number of martial styles, vary based primarily upon their contextual background - Traditional Asian Medical Theory or Modem Western Medical Theory. Each of these instructional paradigms has its merits, but requires a significant investment of time and effort in order to be of utility to the average modern martial artist.

Tradition

    Traditionally, in Asian martial arts, pressure point techniques were taught in close conjunction with corresponding healing methodologies, namely those of Traditional Asian Medicine. The medical practices permeated the cultures within which the defensive martial traditions arose, and were familiar to the practitioners of those traditions. In the present day, problems arise when Western martial artists attempt to apply the energetics, theories, and methods of Traditional Asian Medicine to their martial arts practice. While this can certainly be done successfully, it is much like becoming conversant in a foreign language, and then attempting learn the nuances of that culture by immersion - although the value of the experience is certainly immense, substantial time is required in order for the "outsider" to become proficient.

    The alternate method of choice presently, is to interpret pressure points from the Western Medical perspective. This removes the complicating factor of an essentially alien medical system, but at the same time possesses its own distinct set of inadequacies. While the Asian Medical systems have been in place for several thousand years (by some estimates between 5,000 and 8,000 years), the rudiments of Modem Western medicine were laid less than 2,000 years ago by (for example) 1) Galen, who died in 203 CE and summarized ancient Roman and Greek knowledge of anatomy and physiology, 2) Andreas Vesalius, who published the first complete textbook on human anatomy in western Europe in 1543 and 3) William Harvey, who in 1628 published a treatise on the workings of the heart and the motion of the blood). Most Western Medical advances - especially those concerning functional neuroanatomy – have only been made in the last I00 years.

Asian Medicine

    Asian medicine is excellent at describing the overall health of the individual, being primarily geared towards restoring the balance of the individual's energies, while Western medicine is aimed at the elimination of specific disease. The advantages of Asian medicine therefore lie in the understanding of the human body as an interplay of internal and environmental energies. Such a system is capable of great subtleties in terms of understanding and affecting the health of an individual. The advantages of Western medicine lie in an understanding of the mechanics and biochemistry of the human body. Ultimately, each system is capable of explaining some pressure point effects better than the other.

    Regardless of which medical system one chooses to explain the nature and effects of pressure points, substantial time and effort are required to understand either the Asian or the Western medical systems at even a moderate level of proficiency. For most modem martial artists this is not an option. We live in a time when martial arts practice has become a recreational pursuit rather than the necessity that it once was. Therefore, if the responsible martial artists who are the custodians of in-depth knowledge concerning the defensive arts (including the usage of pressure points) are to reintegrate ancient practices into the modern martial arts, new methodologies must be sought in order to accomplish these goals.

Neutral Method

One such system which satisfies this requirement is that codified by Robert J. Moran of Belmont, Massachusetts. The "Pressure Points Made Easy" system adopts an essentially neutral nomenclature that is amenable to use by all martial artists, regardless of stylistic or educational backgrounds. Points are given a combined anatomical and numerical designation that does not require any understanding of energy channels, five element theory, or diurnal qi/chi/ki flow patterns. An in-depth understanding of human anatomy and physiology is not required, and neither is knowledge of neurology, neurochemistry or vascular biology necessary. Instead, the martial artist is presented with a name, for example, Arm #I, and a graphic representation of the point such that anyone with even a child’s knowledge of anatomy can locate the specific point. From name and location students are guided into the methods of affecting the point in question (via strike, press, rub, etc.), and the known effects of manipulating that point (including physical reactions, mental stunning, temporary loss of motor function, etc.).

The "Pressure Points Made Easy" system explains the sensitive locations on the human body from a standpoint that is essentially that of Western medicine, thus eliminating any potential confusion for the martial artist unfamiliar with the terminology of acupuncture. Of the first 100 or so points described, the majority are located on body surfaces heavily populated by sensory neurons - some of these are also classical acupuncture points, but many are not. Some examples of these points are "Arm #1 ", which is the biceps motor point and "Back of Knee #1 which is the posterior cutaneous (tibial) nerve of the thigh. Manipulating these “pressure points" results in a high intensity pain signal being sent to the brain, in effect rapidly and efficiently deterring or neutralizing an attacker in the manner intended by classical martial arts.

It may seem as if this system of pressure point instruction accelerates the martial artist rapidly into the realm of confusing neurological terminology, but nothing could be further from the truth. In order for someone to be able to use the system of "Pressure Points Made Easy" the initial presentation of point location and method of manipulation is all that is necessary. As with an automobile, one needn't be an auto mechanic in order to know how to drive. Of course, the deeper the understanding that one possesses, the more meaningful will be their practice (both in driving and in martial arts).

Pressure point combinations are also presented in the "Pressure Points Made Easy" system, but again these are presented in an essentially neutral format. Instead of specific elemental or neurological combinations, certain basic principles are espoused - namely, one should work from outside to inside (for example, lower arm then upper arm and finally neck) a very general, but often overlooked martial arts principle. This is intimately linked with the use of reflex combinations, which allows for predicted responses to certain techniques - i.e., pressure on "Back of Knee #I" will cause the knee to buckle, bringing other points into range (arm, head, neck, back, etc.). An second principle for point combinations is the concept of manipulating points on two opposite body areas, and finally affecting a point centered between the first two - in an area essentially weakened by affecting the first two pressure points. Finally, simultaneous combinations are also addressed, based upon the theory that manipulating two or more "pressure points" in combination will have a synergistic effect that is greater than that produced by manipulating the individual points. In the Western medical terms which are common to most US martial artists, the effect of manipulating pressure points in these sorts of combinations will be to send an excess of pain “signals" to the brain in an attempt to cause a sensory overload - the effects of which may range from limb weakness, dysfunction or paralysis, to overall dizziness and even blackout.

The "Pressure Points Made Easy" system is certainly not the only method for approaching and manipulating the vital points of the human body, but it does provide a much needed starting point which is both clear and concise. For modern martial artists with only a layman's understanding of medicine (Asian or Western), this is an ideal first step for reintegrating the application of pressure points into their practice. The depth of understanding of mechanisms underlying the function of pressure points, and the specialization to either acupunctural or neurological theories can come with time. Of course, that which has been lacking in the teaching methodologies already available has been the ready link between principle and practice. It's fine to learn in the safe, controlled setting of the dojo, but when all is said and done, most people should be able to pull these techniques off in a life-or-death situation - without having to contemplate their techniques and positions, the time of day and a dozen other variables. The use of the pressure points needs to become part of the subconscious mind of the martial artist.

There is much to be said for possessing a depth of understanding, particularly in terms of the martial arts, and pressure points. However, if we are to teach a new breed of martial artists, we need to teach them to think for themselves. More importantly, we need to provide them with the understanding that they are lacking in order to use what they already know in terms of technique. Rather than providing specific "one size fits all" technical answers, the "Pressure Points Made Easy" system provides the tools and principles necessary for the martial artist to fulfill his or her own potential, and to explore the limits of his or her own martial arts background.

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