Western students of these arts, looking for more scientific explanations, have tried using anatomy and physiology to explain the methods used by the arts, but have had little success. As with other hoaxes, these arts use a little science and a lot of bull to explain their techniques. They will use one effect that works, such as the carotid sinus strike, and then add a lot of superfluous hogwash that leads to the strike.

Other pressure point fighting arts are just as silly. In Jwing-Ming's "Shaolin Chin Na," attacks are said to "contract the nerves" and certain pressure points are said to affect organs. An attack on the web of the thumb will supposedly affect the heart, lung, and large intestine and death from organ failure will result; an attack on the armpit will cause a heart attack; and solar plexus strikes will cause death through heart failure. Erle Montaigue says attacks over vessels will cause "great arterial damage." Montaigue also suggests that some strikes will cause the central nervous system to stop sending signals to the brain.

Bottom Line

When evaluating pressure point fighting arts, ask yourself, "If these techniques really work, why do not professional fighters, such as MMA fighters, use the techniques?" The rules do not preclude these types of strikes, so why do not the professionals use the techniques since they would assure the fighters of championships and more money. Why do not armies, such as the United States Army or the United States Marines, use the techniques in the training of combat troops?

In the case of pressure point techniques, they are not used by these groups because the techniques are not effective in real fighting situations. The techniques require either precise aim and execution (being able to achieve or being able to maintain a firm grip for a few seconds, which is an eternity in a fighting situation), or they require the opponent to not counterattack with deadlier techniques. These conditions cannot be counted on occurring during the heat of a fight. The opponent will not hold still and let you find a pressure point and apply a technique. In the heat of a fight when adrenalin is flooding the body, pain is suppressed and even ignored, so, even if applied perfectly, the techniques may not have any effect. The winner of any fight is usually the first person to land a powerful strike to a vulnerable area, and then immediately follow up with many powerful strikes.

In a sporting fight, when a fighter is stunned by a blow and unable to defend him or herself, the referee steps in and halts the action. In a real fight, the attacker will not stop the attack until you are incapacitated or dead. In real fights, opponents will bite any body part in their reach and many times will bite off body parts or remove chunks of flesh.

In a real fight, broken bones and dislocated joints do not work even if the person feels no pain. Punctured eyes cannot see; missing noses and ears bleed profusely and interfere with sight, and concussions dull the mid or cause unconsciousness. Many techniques may appear to be effective when used in demonstrations, but in real fights, the opponents are not compliant students of the attacker. Remember, there is difference between a person throwing a punch during a demonstration, while free-sparring for points, during a full-contact match, in anger, to hurt you, or to kill you. It is intention of the attack that makes the different.