| Martial arts trains one to locate and use | | | | Pressure point manipulation can be just as |
| techniques to apply to pressure points of the | | | | effective as any martial arts technique in subduing |
| attacker. There are a number of these points | | | | an assailant. The ability to apply pressure point |
| throughout the body. Many times when pressure | | | | techniques correctly requires an extensive |
| is applied and intense pain is felt by the assailant | | | | understanding of the human nervous system. The |
| an attack can be stopped. In this article we will | | | | ability to stop an attacker quickly is crucial to |
| show why using pressure points is important | | | | keep from being seriously injured. |
| during a self-defense encounter. | | | | Striking some parts of the body cause an |
| Pressure points are nerve endings located | | | | involuntary nervous system reaction. These |
| throughout the body. Martial arts and self-defense | | | | nerves are the sympathetic nerves and cause a |
| practitioners are taught where the most | | | | sympathetic reaction. If the nose is struck the |
| vulnerable areas and points are located. If | | | | eyes will tear up. If one eye is attacked with a |
| attacked a victim can counter with a hit, pinch or | | | | finger or thumb the other eye closes. A human |
| squeeze to one of these nerve endings. This can | | | | has no control over these responses, they are |
| cause immense pain to the attacker and end the | | | | automatic. A sympathetic response may confuse |
| confrontation. | | | | or delay an attacker long enough for the victim to |
| Oftentimes in a self-defense situation attacking | | | | escape. |
| pressure points is the only option a victim has. | | | | |