This myth has been around a long time and it is not my intention to attack the one who originated it, but rather to educate Martial Artists. Otherwise, these myths will continue to be perpetuated to future generations of practitioners. If anyone can prove me wrong, please do so as my intention is to elevate understanding and continue to grow in knowledge of the human body from both an Eastern and Western perspective.
My best guess is that this myth is in reference to Pressure Points which lie on or near a nerve plexus. By definition, a nerve plexus is a branching network of intersecting nerves. With the close location of multiple nerves and their corresponding connections with critical body systems, it is true that many of these locations are quite sensitive to attack and can do damage to the body. It is not true, however, that this is the case for all Pressure Points.
There are a number of nerve plexuses in the body.
Spinal Plexuses:- Cervical Plexus – The Cervical plexus is formed by the ventral rami of the upper four cervical nerves and the upper part of fifth cervical ventral ramus. The network of rami is located deep to the sternocleidomastoid within the neck. The cervical plexus innervates muscles of the neck and areas of skin on the head, neck and chest. The deep branches innervate muscles, while the superficial branches supply areas of skin. A long branch (C4; nervus phrenicus) innervates muscles of the diaphragm. The cervical plexus also communicates with the cranial nerves vagus nerve and hypoglossal nerve.
- Brachial Plexus – The Brachial plexus is formed by the ventral rami of C5-C8-T1 spinal nerves, and lower and upper halves of C4 and T2 spinal nerves. The plexus extends toward the armpit. The roots of C5 and C6 form upper trunk, the ramus C7 forms the middle trunk, and the rami C8 and T1 join to form the lower trunk of the brachial plexus. Under the clavicle, the trunks reorganize to form cords (fasciculi) around the axillary artery (arteria axillaris). The lateral cord (fasciculus lateralis) is formed by the upper and middle trunk, all three trunks join to form the posterior cord (fasciculus posterior), the lower trunk continues to the medial trunk (fasciculus medialis). The nerves (containing motor and sensory fibers) to the shoulder and to the upper limb emerge from the brachial plexus.
- Lumbar Plexus – Since the Lumbar plexus and Sacral plexus are interconnected, they are sometimes referred to as the Lumbosacral plexus. The intercostal nerves that give rami to the chest and to the upper parts of the abdominal wall efferent motor innervation and to the pleura and peritoneum afferent sensory innervation are the only ones that do not originate from a plexus. The ventral rami of L1-L5 spinal nerves with a contribution of T12 form Lumbar plexus. This plexus lies within the psoas major muscle. Nervi of the plexus serve the skin and the muscles of the lower abdominal wall, the thigh and external genitals. The largest nerve of the plexus is the femoral nerve. It supplies anterior muscles of the thigh and a part of skin distal to the inguinal ligament.
- Sacral Plexus – Ventral rami of L4-S3 with parts of L4 and S4 spinal nerves form the Sacral plexus. It is located on the posterior wall of pelvic cavity (pelvis minor). Nervi of the plexus innervate the perineal region, buttocks and the lower limb. The largest nerve of the human body, the sciatic nerve is the main branch, that give rami to the motor innervation of the muscles of the foot, the leg and the thigh. Common peroneal nerve and its branches innervate some part of the skin of the foot, the peroneal muscles of the leg and the dorsal muscles of the foot.
- Coccygeal Plexus – Coccygeal plexus originate from S4, S5, Co1 spinal nerves. It is interconnected with the lower part of Sacral plexus. The only nerve of the plexus is the coccygeal nerve, that serves sensory innervation of the skin in the coccygeal region.
- Cardiac Plexus – Located near the aortic arch and the carina of the trachea.
- Pulmonary Plexus – Supplies innervation to the bronchial tree.
- Celiac / Solar Plexus – Located around the celiac trunk and contains the celiac ganglia. The solar plexus is the largest autonomic plexus and provides innervation to multiple abdominal and pelvic organs.
- Superior Mesenteric Plexus – Includes the superior mesenteric ganglia. Located around the superior mesenteric artery. Innervates the intestines.
- Inferior Mesenteric Plexus – Includes the inferior mesenteric ganglia. Located around the inferior mesenteric artery. Innervates the intestines.
- Superior Hypogastric Plexus – Situated on the vertebral bodies anterior to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta.
- Inferior Hypogastric Plexus – Supplies the viscera of the pelvic cavity.
- Renal Plexus – Formed by filaments from the celiac ganglia and plexus, aorticorenal ganglia, lower thoracic splanchnic nerves and first lumbar splanchnic nerve and aortic plexus.
- Hepatic Plexus – The largest offset from the celiac plexus, receives filaments from the left vagus and right phrenic nerves.
- Splenic Plexus – Formed by branches from the celiac plexus, the left celiac ganglion, and from the right vagus nerve.
- Gastric Plexus – Accompanies the left gastric artery along the lesser curvature of the stomach, and joins with branches from the left vagus nerve.
- Pancreatic Plexus – A division of the celiac plexus (coeliac plexus) in the abdomen.
- Testicular Plexus – Derived from the renal plexus, receiving branches from the aortic plexus. It accompanies the internal spermatic artery to the testis.
- Ovarian Plexus – Arises from the renal plexus, and is distributed to the ovary, and fundus of the uterus. It is carried in the suspensory ligament of the ovary.
Some common Pressure Points with innervations at nerve plexuses are as follow:
| Point | Plexus Innervation |
|---|---|
| TB-17 | Greater auricular nerve, from the cervical nerve plexus (branches from C2 – C4) |
| TB-18 | Greater auricular nerve, from the cervical nerve plexus (branches from C2 – C3) |
| TB-19 | Greater auricular nerve, from the cervical nerve plexus (branches from C2 – C3) |
| TB-20 | Greater auricular nerve, from the cervical nerve plexus (branches from C2 – C3) |
| SI-10 | Suprascapular nerve, from posterior division of the superior trunk of the brachial plexus (C5 – C6) |
| SI-11 | Suprascapular nerve, from posterior division of the superior trunk of the brachial plexus (C5 – C6) |
| LU-2 | C5 – C6 via brachial plexus and axillary nerve |
| LI-17 | C4 – C8 via cervical plexus |
| ST-12 | Supraclavicular nerve from C3 – C4 |
| CV-14 | The anterior cutaneous branch of the seventh intercostal nerve. |
Of course, there are more than this and there are certainly more Pressure Points on the human body. Also, many points near a plexus are quite sensitive and can elicit great effects. The above table lists only a few points located at the innervation of local nerves with a large nerve plexus.
So, what exactly is a Pressure Point? Most points are taken from Acupuncture. Acupuncture Points lie along a meridian which is a vessel that transports energy within the body. These points are named after the meridian upon which they lie. These points were identified because the meridian came close enough to the surface of the body to be needled. For our purposes as Martial Artists, they are close enough to the surface to manipulate via strikes and pressure.
Because these points lie on meridians, they do not always correspond to a nerve, although they often do so. When the two overlap, there is an easy opportunity to manipulate both the energetic and nervous systems of the body at the same time. In other cases, the meridian lies upon a dermatome (a portion of skin which connects with a spinal nerve) or myotome (muscles connected with spinal nerves) and a connection to the nervous system can be made in that manner.
Of course, older sources such as the Bubishi lists targets such as the eyes, ears, nose, throat, groin, etc., which are not specifically Acupuncture Points, but are sensitive regions of the body. Some Martial Artists refer to these as Pressure Points as well although I would argue this is not really appropriate nomenclature.
Combining knowledge of both Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is wise and much can be gained from understanding both. Doing so, can only increase the effectiveness of your art.
Note: Some information taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_plexus
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