Pressure point

From ArticleWorld

A pressure point is a point of the body which can generate various effects if pressure is applied upon it. Pressure points have an anatomic significance, like a nerve coming closely along the skin, close enough to generate an impulse if pressure is applied. These pressure points are used in medicine and various self-defense techniques.

Bleeding control

Perhaps the most widely used appliance of pressure points is the control of bleeding. Pressure should be applied on the wound, if possible, in order to ameliorate or stop bleeding. If it is not possible to do that (because of a foreign object in the wound, for example), pressure should be applied on the major artery running towards that area. This should be done carefully though, because if bloodflow towards a limb is obstructed for longer than 10 minutes (by using a tourniquet, for example), irreversible damage may be caused.

The pressure points on the neck should not be used by untrained people, because they control the bloodflow towards the brain.

Self defense

Pressure points are used in various self-defense techniques. There are more principles upon which their usage is based, including:

• Pain. A great number of nerves running through a certain area may make the area more sensible to pain, which can be used to cause a pain withdrawal reflex action.

• Muscular. Certain muscles are sensible to pressure points, and may involuntarily contract if pressure is applied correctly.

• Break. If sufficient pressure is applied in a point, the underlying structures (like bone) may break.

• Brain damage. Although the brain is locked in a solid place, it actually floats inside the skull. Several techniques can literally shake the brain, causing effects that range from a simple dizziness to brain damage.