9. What is a pressure point?

In our previous blogs you have seen various pressure points. Today we summarize them and answer 2 questions "what is a pressure point" and "What are pressure points used for in the martial arts?"

What is a pressure point?

Pressure points are spots on the nerves that are sensitive. Look at it is as "holes" in the nerves where the Chi circulation can be influenced (like in acupuncture). Most of the time, you will find pressure points in a "hollow":

• Where a nerve begins or ends 
• Where nerves cross each other (like an X) 
• Where nerves split (like a Y) 

If you hit a point right on the spot, next will happen:

• A sensory (pain) signal directly goes via the nervous system and spinal cord to the brain. 
• This causes the brain to make endorphine (the fighting hormone!) and it sends a motoric signal to body to protect the body.

Please note: a pressure point does not always have to hurt to have the desired effect

How big is a pressure point?

One pressure point has the size of about a coin. Multiple pressure points in one area will create a bigger surface to attack.

What are pressure points used for?

An acupuncturist uses these points to heal people by balancing the meridians; they provide the right energy in the meridians via the acupuncture points.

In the martial arts, we aim on using these points to stop or speed up the energy flow in the meridians. As said above, the signal finds its way to the brain. It will send a signal to the body, to protect the body part that was attacked. This can give several reactions, like:

• Opening the hand 
• Bend an arm 
• Buckle the knees 
• Turn the head away 
• Shut the body down 
• etc.

What are pressure points used for in the martial arts?

Acupuncture points can be used in general to weaken or defeat the opponent. Here are a couple of examples of where we use pressure points for in our martial art - Yawara Ju-Jutsu:

• Stop off an attack 
• Unbalance the attacker 
• Position the attacker (to continue with other techniques) 
• Free yourself out of a grip or bear hug attack. 
• Use them in a take-down 
• To control the opponent 

Here is a video with examples of the effect of a pressure points. It is a compilation of previous videos with two bonuses.

In our future blogs, I will tell you a lot more about the pressure points we use in our martial art. We will first introduce a couple more points, and then we will combine them in locks, take-downs, etc. In our next blog, we will go back to the wrist to Pericardium 6 (P-6).

We cannot be held responsible for injuries 

cause by practicing the techniques shown in the video's!

Respect the danger of locks and pressure points 

and be very careful when practicing the techniques

Practice these techniques only with an certified teacher

or school (despite of the martial art)

7. Triple Warmer 11 (TW-11)

In previous blogs, I wrote about hit point Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) and Triple Warmer 17 (TW-17). Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) can unbalance and position the opponent. With Triple Warmer 17, you can release yourself. This is great for follow up moves with pressure point Triple Warmer 11 (TW-11).

Triple Warmer 11 (TW-11) is a rub point that can help you force the opponent to the ground. TW-11 works best when you lift the wrist, rub TW-11 and step backwards at the same time. Please note: don't just rub the point on the surface, but through the arm, down to the ground!

How do we attack TW-11?

We attack TW-11 eighter with the knuckles of our fist or with the little knuckle on the wrist (Pinky side).

In this video, we show 3 examples of situations in which you can use TW11

Background information:

More information about Triple Warmer 11 (TW-11):
Location:
TW-11 is located just above the elbow.

Neurological:

TW-11 is connected to the median nerve. The median nerve is connected to the cervical vertebrae C5 - C8 and thoracic vertebra T1 in the spinal cord.

How do I find it?
Place your hand palm on Uke's elbow and make a fist; your knuckles point at TW-11 now.

Direction:
You rub TW-11 up and down, towards the elbow. You can also hit TW-11.

Impact:
The brain will think that there is a problem with the tendon and nerves connected to the elbow. As a result the brain will immediately relax the shoulder and elbow.

The triple Warmer meridian:

This meridian contains 23 fire points.

The route of the Triple Warmer meridian is quite a journey with a lot of interesting points:

• The meridian starts with TW-1 at the top of the ring finger. 
• It runs up from the wrist, between the Ulna and Radial where you find Triple V (TW-6, TW-7 and TW-8) up to the elbow. 
• Then it proceeds its way via the outside/back (Yang side) of the upper arm where you find TW-11 and TW-12 to the shoulder. 
• From the back of the supraclavicular fossa it takes an internal detour via the diaphragm to the abdomen. Then it goes back up the supraclavicular fossa in the front. 
• It goes to the neck; from there it goes to the hollow under the ear TW-17. 
• the meridian goes around the back of the ear to the front of the ear (to the level of the eye. There he makes a little internal detour up to the front of the head to connect with Gallbladder 
• The last point TW-23 is on the outside of the eye. 

There is a lot more information about meridians, like times, sounds, colors, etc. It is interesting and probably effective too. In my blog, for now I will stick to what I can use and what works in our Martial art.

I hope you found this blog interesting, next time we will show how you can use Conception Vessel 22 (CV-22) as a hit point.

We cannot be held responsible for injuries

caused by practicing the techniques shown in the videos!

So, be very careful when practicing the techniques!

Respect the danger of locks and pressure points.

Only practice these techniques with

an authorized teacher or school (despite of the martial art)