A couple of weeks off on holiday in Northumberland.

Last time I looked, I focused on head striking and its medical implications. I will examine the arms and torso here, covering some of the pressure points in previous posts, and also briefly look at the ‘delayed death touch.’

Neurological Targets
Brachial plexus (side of neck/shoulder)

Striking here can cause temporary arm weakness, numbness, or a “dead arm” effect — essentially a neurapraxia (nerve conduction block) without structural damage in mild cases. Hard strikes risk more lasting nerve injury.

Radial/ulnar nerves (inner arm, “funny bone”)

Disarming techniques exploit the intense shooting pain and temporary loss of grip caused by impacts. Strikes can also temporarily disable the attacker’s arm, allowing self-protection exploitation. Repeated trauma risks chronic neuropathy (pain or numbness).

I have to resign myself to some pain where I have to improve the students’ blocking, as it usually involves them getting it right and, therefore, affecting my arm. If you are wondering what causes the improvement, it is the ‘structure’ and ‘movement’ behind the block.

Abdominal/Visceral Targets

Solar plexus (epigastric region):

A strike here causes a diaphragmatic spasm – the “wind knocked out” sensation. Physiologically, the condition is temporary phrenic nerve disruption plus reflex visceral pain. Usually resolves in seconds, but severe impacts risk splenic or hepatic lacerations.

Liver (right hypochondrium) :

The classic right-body-kick mechanism is well-known. The liver is pain-dense and poorly protected. Impact causes an intense vagal response — sudden nausea, pain, and collapse. In severe cases, it can cause hepatic contusion or subcapsular haematoma.

Kidney (posterior flanks):

Strikes cause intense referred pain and haematuria (blood in urine). Risk of renal contusion or, rarely, kidney rupture.

The “Delayed Death Touch” Myth vs. Reality
The Dim Mak concept, which suggests that many strikes can cause death hours or days later, has no medical basis. However, there are some genuine delayed risks:
• Carotid artery strikes can cause stroke 12–72 hours post-injury.
• Splenic rupture can be delayed if a subcapsular haematoma enlarges.
• Traumatic brain injury symptoms may evolve over hours.
These are consequences of trauma, not mystical mechanisms.

Most effective “pressure points” have a clear neurological or vascular explanation — the techniques exploit real anatomy, not mystical energy.