Kyusho Jitsu
Kyusho Jitsu is the method of striking the body by targeting its anatomical weaker areas. This method involves the study of the body's anatomical structure and its underlying pressure points. A "pressure point" is typically a location on the body where energy can be transmitted into the nervous system. These locations are found at major nerve endings, nerve crossings, and nerve junctions. Attacking a nerve at any of these locations sends a pain message through the nerve and its branches, and then to the brain. When the brain receives the message, it will cause the body to react in different ways depending upon which point was attacked. This is what makes self-defense techniques so effective, efficient, and humane.
Kyusho Jitsu utilizes the same pressure points that an acupuncturist would use to balance the energies of the body. Acupuncture looks at pressure points as access gates where the body's energy flow can be manipulated. These gates allow the acupuncturist to tap into the body's natural energy system and restore its healthy balance by increasing or decreasing its energy flow. In Kyusho Jitsu, these same areas targeted as a means of creating a state of imbalance, which will incapacitate an attacker.
There are over 700 pressure points that at acupuncturist uses in Chinese medicine; with 361 being "regular", and 391 additional (extraordinary). The 361 regular points lie along 14 energy pathways called "meridians". A meridian is made up of a series of points that are energetically associated to a given organ in the body. There are 12 meridians (visceral) that correspond to the organs listed below, and two meridians that relate to the primary sources of Yin and Yang energy.
Lung
Large Intestine (Colon)
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
Small Intestine
Urinary Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Triple Warmer (Thyroid)
Gall Bladder
Liver
The two general keys to effectively apply Kyusho Jitsu to self-defense are the ability to understand the "method of activation" and the "angle & direction" required to access a pressure point. The method of activation is the way a pressure point must be stimulated in order for the pain message to register into the nerve. Each pressure point requires a certain method of activation, such as:
Press/touch
Rub
Hit
Not all pressure points can be attacked by just hitting straight into the body. The body was designed to hide and protect these weaknesses, making them invulnerable against natural outside impacts. In order to access a pressure point using the above methods of activation, the proper angle & direction must also be applied. The angle & direction is governed by where the nerve is located in relation to the skeletal structure, and how it is protected by the muscles, tendons, etc. Therefore, a pressure point on the inner aspect of the arm may require a "hit" at a "45 degree angle" towards the hand.
The effective use
of pressure points is the answer to how smaller individuals can defend
themselves against larger attackers, regardless of fitness or age.
Pressure points provide the tool to quickly, effectively, and humanely
defend oneself, as well as provide a deeper understanding of the movements
associated with kara-te. These proven methods have
stood the test of time, and are one of the most sought after areas of study
today.