Continuing my take on pressure points of the head.

3. Stomach Meridian point 5 (ST-5)

This point is halfway between the point of the chin and the base of the ear, on the line of the jaw. It can be struck in and downwards towards the spine or in and along the line of the jaw towards the ear. It’s an excellent target for a hammer-fist ( a fist where you strike with the side of the hand nearest the little finger) or a palm heel.

Anterior to the angle of the mandible, on the anterior border of masseter muscle

From an anatomical point of view, there is a slight notch in the jaw at this place where a nerve (part of the Mental nerve) runs across. There may be an effect from striking this nerve, but in boxing, many knockouts occur from a strike here due to the rotation of the head it causes and the subsequent ‘brain-rattle’.

In the Dim-Mak literature, there is also a recommendation for the Stomach 6 point, which is located about an inch away, closer to the ear. By using a hammer fist, you will probably get that one as well. This emphasises the point that you don’t need to have pinpoint accuracy – just hit hard in the area.

4. Triple Warmer (Burner) point 17 – TW-17 or TB-17

This is an easy point to demonstrate, especially on yourself to feel its effects.

It seems that George Mayo liked it. 🙂

Although it may be Small Intestine point 17 – it’s hard to tell exactly from the photo, but that is a more dangerous point to use in demonstrations. SI-17 is on my list of points to cover in the future.

It causes some pain, which the body then reflexively turns away from.

The point is located at the base of the ear on the top of the jawbone. Anatomically, you are pressing on the many nerves that are close by, but mainly the mandibular nerve. The area is also known as the mastoid process.

Posterior to the lobule of the ear, in the depression between the mandible and mastoid process.

I was told by a nurse in the Ju-Jitsu club I went to in the 90s that they pressed this point (both sides) to help revive people after anaesthesia. I’m not sure about today, as you probably don’t want to wake up with someone poking you under your ears. It is also used by some law enforcement agencies to control people or move sitting protesters.

I believe that in a self-protection situation, it’s hard to put into practice due to having to get to the side or behind first. If you could get on the outside of an attack, behind, and manage to get a point of elbow in here, it would probably have an effect.

Though it would more likely damage the jaw with a possible dislocation.

Some Dim-Mak references name this point in their ‘deadly points’ list, so maybe some care should be taken.