Based on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture lore, pressure points were first believed to be channels of spiritual energy that could be manipulated by strikes and pinches. In the more modern sense, pressure points are places on the body that, when manipulated, can cause intense pain. According to Sensei Takuma Hisa as published in "Shin Budo" magazine, the practice was developed as early as the late 1000s.
Major Concerns
It is imperative to note the legal ramifications of attacking an opponent with pressure point techniques. You can be charged with assault for doing so, as well as severely injure another person. Only perform these techniques with a willing partner and a professional nearby in case of emergency.
The main difficulty of pressure point fighting is precision. In many cases, the point that you would be aiming for is no larger than a few centimeters in diameter. Thus, without a precise strike to the exact spot, the desired effect will not be achieved.
Major Pressure Point Targets
The easiest pressure point to manipulate is the Jugular Notch. To find the jugular notch, follow your collar bone down to where it forms a "V" and goes back up. The soft flesh just above that V is the Jugular notch. Even a forceful push with the fingers will result in pain as well as stunning your opponent for a few seconds.
To partially and temporarily disable an opponent's arm, your target should be the Medial Nerve. The Medial Nerve runs along the arm in the small gap between the bicep and triceps. A precise strike in this location will be very painful and make your opponent arm numb and difficult to control.
The temple is an obvious sensitive point and effective pressure point. When striking the temple, do so with as little striking surface as possible to apply the most force in the smallest space. If executed successfully, this pressure point strike can render your foe unconscious.
Break Points
Another section of pressure point fighting is break points (sections on the body of weakness where brute force can be applied to break bones, joints and cartilage, causing disablement and extreme pain). A strong, quick strike to the side of the knee inward will likely incapacitate your opponent. As a follow-up to a strike to the Golgi tendon, located at the back of the elbow, a hard blow to the elbow joint will almost certainly result in a break.
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