Pressure point
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Pressure points are points on the body that have significance, e.g. a point where a nerve or blood vessel is close to the skin. Pressure on these points can generate nervous impulses in the case of a nerve, or can occlude blood flow through an artery in the case of blood vessels. When struck or rubbed correctly, pressure points may be used in self defense to knock out an opponent, such as in Dim Mak or Kyusho jitsu.
Martial arts applications
There are several types of pressure points, each of which is applied differently, and each one creates different effects. Some of the principles are discussed below:
- Pain: Some points are painful, because of the prevalence of nerves in the area. For example, being prodded in the throat is painful. The body has a pain withdrawal reflex, whereby it reacts to pain by moving away from it. Martial artists make use of this, sometimes without being aware of it. Applying pressure next to the collar bone, from above, will cause the person to move downwards (away from the pain), whereas poking them in the gap between the jaw and neck (just below the ear) will make their body want to move upwards. Pressure to the shoulder causes that side of the body to move back. A rub to the back down will cause the body to move forth. Some points react more violently to pain from changes in the pressure (rubbing) rather than constant pressure.
- Muscular: Here a direct attack is made on a muscle, which will contract. An example is a punch to the solar plexus, which impacts the diaphragm and thus affects the person's breathing. An attack to the outer thigh could cause the person to fall as their leg loses power.
- Pressure: The baroreceptor in the carotid artery is pressure-sensitive, allowing the body to control the bloodflow into the brain. Pressure against this region will 'trick' the body into thinking that blood pressure is too high, and thus will constrict and lower blood pressure - which can cause blackout.
- Break: There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly. This includes the "loose rib" and the philtrum.
- Brain shake: The brain is actually a very vulnerable organ, which is why it is encased in the skull. The brain floats in fluid and balances on a very flexible spine. Certain techniques can actually shake the brain in a way which causes black out. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the occipital ridge, at the correct angle in the correct direction.
- Energy: Some believe there are energy channels which flow around the body through acupuncture meridians, and an attack will impact the flows, and thus impact the body. This is called "chi", "ki" or "qi" in East Asian cultures.
Control of bleeding
In first aid, pressure points are used to help control bleeding from wounds.
The usual way to control bleeding is to put pressure directly onto the wound, either with the hand directly or with a dressing of some sort (bandage, handkerchief, tea towel etc). Do not forget that any wound which is not controlled within a minute or two is a medical emergency; and any deep or large wound must receive medical attention as soon as possible.
It is sometimes not possible to press directly on a wound: for example, there may be a foreign body inside the wound, or a broken bone protruding outside, or the wound may be too large or be inaccessible (e.g. if the limb is trapped by some immovable object). In this case, the only way to control the bleeding is to compress blood vessels over particular pressure points (usually where arteries cross over bones near to the surface of the skin). This technique can be used to control external bleeding from arm wounds and leg wounds.
There are pressure points in the neck but these must be used by experts. The blood supply to the brain is delicate and can be disturbed if pressure is applied incorrectly.
The correct point is determined by finding a pulse on a casualty similar to that felt in the wrist when taking one's own pulse. This point could be located in the wrist, the arm, or the groin and is the position where a rhythmical pulsation can be felt. Pressure can then be applied over this point -- the artery -- to control bleeding.
Once an artery is compressed over a pressure point, it must not be compressed for more than 10 minutes unless you want to: any longer in one go can cause irreversible damage to the limb. Typically pressure would be applied for 10 minutes, then released for a couple, then reapplied and so on.
Tourniquet should not be used in general practice but should be reserved for experts e.g. in hospital.