Gasp...

As we saw in the deep tissue article, that although very effective it is also permanently damaging to varying degree.  In today's letigis society, it is no longer an acceptable means of self protection.

Kyusho has the answer still as we can use more superficial targets to affect a deeper tissue or physiological structure that causes great pain and dysfunction, but with no observable or lasting damage.  The more superficial layer of the anatomy is the nervous system, comprised of several operating structures that we can learn to influence the functionality of the body.  The reason is that the nerve system is partially responsible for the preservation of the body via reflexes, functionality and even shutdown to prevent damaging overload, this is where modern Kyusho now targets and justifiably so.

Besides the non damaging affects, there are more important attributes that makes it a far more efficient model.   Attacking the "Deep Tissue" causes pain and dysfunction but over longer periods of time.  In combat time is not usually available, so by instead targeting the nerves the physical dysfunction is immediate.  This immediacy is the protective aspect mentioned previously, as the sensory input triggers the brain to withdraw, relax or drop to a prone position for recovery.  This of course depends on the level of attack and the induced stress on the system and in some attacks the person even looses conscious thought as a response to neurological shock and or overload.   However it is not to say we can not affect the "Deep Tissue" at the same time, it is however using a different dynamic.  Whereas every function in the body is accomplished through neurological transmission, we can temporarily stop this transmission and therefore cause distress or alter the functionality of the Deep Tissue.  One such method that although not as benign as a simple nerve attack, is called sealing the breath or attacks on the respiratory system.

As an example, the lungs as a way to generalize the process for other organs and the functionality.  The lungs do not function by themselves per say, they operate from the neurological messaging to the diaphragm (the muscle structure that pushes and pulls the lungs to fill or empty air).  So if we the attack the nerves that correlate with the diaphragm functionality, we can then affect it without deeper penetration or power.  This makes your possibilities far more efficient as size and power are significantly less of a factor or requirement.

Now what we must first understand in utilizing the nerves is that it is not a point you affect, this type thinking and action is why many fail in their first attempts at Kyusho.  You are in actuality attacking a nerve to cause an overload or diminished neuro-message and in so doing, the automatic protective reaction of the body.  So striking a "point", is not the point, in fact it is the attack on a nerve to shock it enough that an acute message is sent to the spinal cord, to the brain and back to corresponding organs, muscles or physiological functions.  Now this may seem like a convoluted process over actually striking the organ, but we must remember two things; one is it all happens in a fraction if a second and two it will be the same process if we struck the deeper tissue.

The breathing process has  several structures, that of the the lungs, tongue, esophagus, bronchial tubes and diaphragm.  We already understand we can collapse or puncture a lung with a deep tissue attack, very difficult to accomplish with the bare hands, however we could instead constrict  the bronchial tubes or spasm the diaphragm to seal the opponents breath via a nerve attack instead.  As a glimpse into this possibility, what few people in Kyusho realize is that most strikes to the nerves tend to cause a construction in the throat (because the pain on the area that was struck takes their attention more).

There are several ways to affect the breathing process of the body with a myriad of targets on the body that can achieve this.  First let’s look at what the process of breathing is and why it is a part of life maintenance as this will give us greater insights into dysfunctioning it as well.  In order to survive humans need oxygen delivered to their cells where it is utilized for essential processes. Some cells can go without oxygen for a short time, however other organs such as the brain are made up of cells that can only make the energy necessary for survival in the presence of a continual supply of oxygen (known as aerobic metabolism). Many tissues of the body differ in their ability to withstand anoxia (lack of oxygen). The brain and the heart are the most sensitive., initially a lack of oxygen affects organ function but over a relatively small period of time, irreversible damage is done (within minutes for the brain) and revival is impossible.

One of the major effects that occur when you induce a restriction or lack of oxygen is the impairment of the individual’s judgment. You may not realize it, but this lack of oxygen on the also impairs your ability to think clearly and rationally, or even function physically.  Another thing to consider is that the body will instinctively go into a survival mode as it tries to escape.  As the urgency increases so too does the effort using more oxygen in the muscles and blood, causing a faster draining.

Some other aspects that can restrict breath physically would be extra weight or pressure inside the abdomen.  This is an explanation of why heavier people run out of breath easily, along with the extra drain on the blood oxygen level used in the muscles for moving the extra weight.  Knowing how the function takes place and what affects its normal stasis is also an education in how to dysfunction or restrict it.  But we must also look to the anatomy for these possibilities.

Looking at the organs we see that the lower portion of the lungs rest on top the diaphragm, a muscle which is attached to the lower ribs, sternum and some of the vertebrae. When inhaling and exhaling, the muscle contracts and expands allowing the expansion and contraction of the lungs to fill with air and expel it after use. This is a very simplified description of the process as there are more structures and mechanics at work.  Structures such as the intercostal muscles in the chest and other structures are also involved the process, these will all come into play as we employ the breath sealing methods.  (Any of these attacks used on someone fatigued or breathing hard from overexertion will cause more instantaneous and disabling effects).

Now being that all muscles are contracted and relaxed through systematic electrical stimulation, which occurs from the impulses in the Brain, Central Nervous System as well as the peripheral nerves.  Thereby attacking the nerves via the pressure points of the body, we can easily disrupt these contractions and expansions necessary in the breathing process.  With this understanding and knowledge, we are now armed and ready to explore how to attack the body and affect this life sustaining function.  We will be using the pressure point names as this is what most people in Kyusho understand, but it is deeper that these more superficial named structures.  (Caution must be paramount in any such application to affect another persons vital processes, if you do not know how to correct the ensuing problem, do not use these methods).

Looking first at the front top half of the body for ease of access, we have several options to tap into the nerve system.  The targets or points called K-27, L-1, ST-15, ST-17, SP-20 and GB-22 (nomenclature in acupuncture terms), will cause the spasmodic contraction of the Bronchi or air tubes going into the lungs.  This makes it difficult for air to flow into or even out of the lungs, leading to impaired motion and in some cases even the though processes are impaired as the body tries to regain this vital process.  If timed with the breathing itself we can also get more dramatic results.  Say for example the opponent has just exhaled and needs to refill the lungs for normal function, if we attack one or more of these specified targets we can severely restrict this ability.  The individual will experience not only the sensation of suffocation, but also the fear, panic and ensuing rationality of cognitive thought.  If they are attacked after the lungs have been filled, the air will be restricted from exiting causing quite a different reaction.  When we breathe in our body takes in and absorbs oxygen, this is replaced with the toxic carbon dioxide for expulsion.  If cannot be expelled it becomes a danger… Why is it dangerous, because the carbon dioxide displaces the oxygen, and since we need oxygen to live this acts is an asphyxiant causing headaches, drowsiness and loss of ability to maintain concentration, over longer periods even death.

*K-27 is just under the clavicle at the joining to the sternum.  This target should be struck down and into the chest as if aiming straight for the top of the heart.

* L-1 is two ribs down from the clavicle and below the indention of the shoulder and clavicle itself.  This point should be struck down and in toward the center of the chest with a small penetrating weapon such as a knuckle. (Click Here for a more detailed look at this target)

* ST-15 lies directly over the nipple and halfway between the nipple and clavicle.  This point again struck to pinch the nerve against the rib as in the Lung #1 point just mentioned, will also spasm the bronchial tubes restricting the air into the lungs.

* ST-17 located under the nipple itself when punched directly in toward the lung will cause not only a spasming of the bronchial tubes, but also a constriction of all intercostal muscles.  This will cause a contraction of the entire chest cavity putting additional pressure on the lungs themselves.

* GB-22 lays one rib up and lateral to the nipple on the side of the body.  This point punched directly in toward the lung will cause a spasming of the bronchial tubes, and a constriction of the intercostal muscles on the same side.  This will cause a contraction of the entire chest cavity putting additional pressure on the same side lung as well as not allowing the diaphragm to work fully.

Moving down the torso avails other targets on the nerves and consequently other physical structures involved in the breathing process.  The best targets for this are SP-21, LV-14, CV-14, CV-12 K-21 and GB-24.  However these targets will cause a different internal dysfunction, that being the abdominal region in general and the diaphragm in particular.  We must also think in reverse terms as when the diaphragm is sent into spasm it will contract violently and pull in air to fill the lungs.  If the spasm is severe enough then the muscle will have a level of paralysis making it difficult to exhale and consequently inhale a fresh supply of air.  The opposite possibility exists as well where you can completely dysfunction the muscle and therefore will not be able to take in air.  This forced the expansion of the diaphragm, emptying of the lungs as well as the paralysis of the muscle can stay in spasm and make breathing in air very hard, just as it feels when the wind is knocked out of you.

** SP-21 located on the side of the ribs half way between the pit of the arm and lower edge of the ribs in the intercostal space.  This should be attacked straight in toward the lung, which will cause a sharp expansion of the diaphragm forcing the air from the lungs.  It will also paralyze the diaphragm so it cannot contract to pull in more air.  The severity of the attack will determine the level of paralysis and is made worse as the intercostal muscles will also constrict on the attacked side placing more pressure on the lung itself.

** K-21 has the same results as does the SP-21, only more effect on the intercostal muscles and connective tissues as well.  This point has much more affect on the breathing process than the SP-21 due to its effect on more structures and the diaphragm itself.  This point must be struck up and under the edge of the rib and toward the SP-21 for the most penetrating and paralyzing effect.

Now as a reverse method as the two just mentioned we have the targets that do not send a shock of energy into the diaphragm, but rather force it into a contracted state so that exhaling is now impeded.  These attacks are struck away from the diaphragm and diverge impulses away as a result.

** LV-14 must be struck at a 45-degree angle down toward the kidney with a smaller penetrating weapon so as to strike in the intercostal space.  This will effectively hit the nerve against the rib and force the contraction of the diaphragm as well as the intercostal muscles.  Struck well this can cause confusion, lack of physical control and or unconsciousness.

** CV-14 will have the same effects as the LV-14, but will affect the diaphragm on a much more intense level.  That is because there is no protection from ribs or any other structures… not even the muscle in this area overlap and the nerve plexus as well as the diaphragm are directly attacked.  The angle and direction to best accomplish this is down and in at a 45­ degree angle toward the lower tip of the spine.  Struck well this can cause confusion, lack of physical dysfunction of the whole body and or unconsciousness.

** CV-12 will have the same affect as will the CV-14, but not as intense.  What it will do more so than the CV-14 is affect the connective tissue from the spine causing distress on two sides of the diaphragm simultaneously.  Again down and in at a 45­-degree angle toward the lower tip of the spine this also strikes the stomach causing vomiting, confusion, lack of physical control and or unconsciousness.

** GB-25 is also capable of causing the above manifestations described, not to as great a level but still worthy of mention.  Striking this point straight down and toward the back of the body will effect only portions of the diaphragm and is not as incapacitating as the others which effect the whole.  There are more points that will cause similar results, although not as powerful or effective.  And as Kyusho is epitome of efficiency in combat, they will not be addressed.  However when attacking the abdomen we also cause a vago-vasal response which is also an attack on the blood.

All of the above mentioned targets are focused on the source or organs responsible for breathing.  But why then can we also make “some people” restricted in breath from striking a more distal target like LI-10 located on the arm.  This is because when we attack this nerve the message is transferred into the CNS at C-5, which also is location that the phrenic nerve emanates from and directly affect the diaphragm.

The back of the body contains even more targets that will also accomplish the sealing or impeding the opponents breathing.  They are potentially more dangerous due to the proximity of the spine and possible damage to that structure.  They are also more dangerous as they affect the nerve impulses far greater that frontal body points.  These are all taken into account by the Kyusho Practitioner but in a more guarded respect.

Extra potential with this method of sealing the breath, also lays in the concept of double strikes like augmented “block” hand position (as well as many other hand postures and configurations).  By simultaneously attacking two of these targets exponentially greater results will occur.  Taking just the Augmented hand position mentioned, if the upper had struck down and in on the ST-15 while the lower hand struck up and in at the LI-10 on the arm… or better yet the K-21, you will affect not only the bronchial tubes, but also spasm and paralyze the diaphragm as well.  This is just one example of how or why Kata was considered deadly.  There are myriads of these hand postures in Kata, and why they were so highly regarded and passed down from generation to generation as the encyclopedia of the Budoka.

Healing

Where there is a way to use something in a negative manner, also contained must be the positive method.  This lays in the healing possibilities for this specific knowledge and targets (Found in the Health and Wellness or First Aid program) .  As a preview... let’s take the problem of Asthma, as it seems to be more and more prominent in modern life.  Asthma is the spasmodic contraction of the bronchi and can be triggered in many different ways.  For our investigation we will just refer to an episode manifested by over exertion of the asthmatic individual.  The BL-11, 12 & 13 (on the left side only), become blocked and the muscles knotted over them… you can even feel a marked difference from left and right sides.By slapping this area it causes the relaxing of all tissues and the person can regain breath.   This is of course a simplified explanation and that is better detailed in our subscription service in Health and Wellness, with video, text and anatomical charts of the specific points - (Click Here)

The body is a miracle in construction and function, working with Kyusho the practioner is privy to its amazing possibilities as well as vulnerabilities.

© Evan Pantazi 2013