Kellman's Okinawan Karate

LUNG #1:L1

LOCATION: In the upper portion of the pectoralis muscle, about 1 inch below the lateral end of the clavicle in the first intercostal space. It is on a line about halfway beween the axillary (armpit) and the top of the shoulder, on the curve of the upper chest near the meeting of the chest and shoulder.

ANATOMY:An intermediate branch of the supraclavicular nerve, a branch of the anterior thoracic nerve and the first intercostal nerve.

METHOD: Strike this point in a downward and inward direction to disrupt the respiratory system.

NOTE:L-1 is the alarm point for the lung meridian, which (from the point of view Kyusho-jitsu) makes it a particularly vulnerable point.

PERICARDIUM #1: P-1

LOCATION:In the fourth intercostal space, 1 inch supralateral to the nipple. It is just to the outside and above the nipple in the space between the 4th and 5th ribs.

ANATOMY: The muscular branch of the anterior thoracic nerve and the 4th intercostal nerve.

METHOD: Strike this point on a line towards the center of the back.

STOMACH #18: S-18

LOCATION:Below the nipple in the fifth intercostal space, at the lower margin of the pectoralis muscle.

ANATOMY:The branch fifth intercostal nerve.

METHOD: Punch this point directly.

NOTE:The pectoralis muscle is a poor target because of its mass, particulary on body-builders. However, just below the muscle, at S-18, the body is vulnerable, especially on those who have stretched and lifted the nerves by over-developing the muscle. Futhur, S-18 is a point where an electrode is attached during a twelve- lead EKG.

RIB CAGE BORDER CLUSTER

At the border of the rib cage and abdomen are two points, Li-14 and GB-24, which work together very effectively. These two points are a common target for the lower hand in two-handed techniques.

LIVER #13: Li-13

LOCATION:At the medial margin of the rib cage at the merging of the sixth and seventh costal cartilage.

ANATOMY:The sixth intercostal nerve.

NOTE:Li-14 is the alarm point for the liver meridian as well as a linking point between the liver and spleen meridians.

LIVER #14: LI-14 & GALL BLADDER #24: GB-24

LOCATION:At the medial margin of the rib cage at the merging of the seventh and eight costal cartilage.

ANATOMY:The seventh intercostal nerve.

NOTE:This is the alarm point for the gallbladder merdian, as well as a linking point between the gallbladder and bladder merdians.

METHOD: Strike these points diagonally up and in.

NOTE: These points are particularly potent because a strike here affects both yin (liver and spleen) and yang (gallbladder and bladder) simultaneously.

CONCEPTION #17: CO-17

LOCATION: On the sternum, level with the nipples, and just above the articulations of the right and left fifth rib and the sternum.

ANATOMY:A medial anterior cutaneous branch of the fourth intercostal nerve.

METHOD: Punch this point directly.

NOTE:This is the alarm point of the pericardium meridian, and the intersection point of the spleen, kidney, small intestine and triple warmer merdians on the conception channel. It is considered one of eight influential points dominating ki. It also lies directly over the heart.

WARNING
A blow to the sternum at this point can damage the heart!

KIDNEY #23: K-23

LOCATION:In the fourth intercostalspace, 2 inches lateral to the mid-line. This point is level with the nipples and Co- 17, just to either side of the sternum.

ANATOMY:FOURTH intercostal nerve, as well as an anterior cutaneous branch of the same.

METHOD: Strike this point directly, typically with a single-knuckle fist (ippon- ken).

NOTE: On the left side this point lies directly over the heart.

WARNING
A blow to the sternum at this point can damage the heart!

WARNING: KIDNEY #23: K-23 & CONCEPTION #17: CO-17
Do not strike these points in practice!

SPLEEN # 21: SP-21

LOCATION:On the mid- axillary line, in the seventh intercostal space. This point can be found on the side of the body, midway between the center of the armpit and the free end of the eleventh (floating) rib.

ANATOMY: The seventh intercostal nerve and the terminal branch of the long thoracic nerve.

METHOD: Strike this point from the side towards the body-center.

LIVER #13: LI-13

LOCATION: In the internal and external oblique muscles at the anterior end of the eleventh rib. This point can be located at the free end of the longer of the two floating ribs, at about the place the elbow touches the side of the body.

ANATOMY: The tenth intercostal nerve.

METHOD: Strike this point diagonally upward.

NOTE: LI-13 is the alarm point of the spleen meridian. This point contains an internal cycle of destruction as it relates to both the liver (wood ) and spleen (earth) meridians.

WARNING
Do not strike this point in practice!

WARNING: SPLEEN #21: SP-21 & LIVER #13: LI-13
Do not strike this point in practice!

TANDEN CLUSTER

The tanden, or "Ki-center," is the source of intrinsic energy for the body. Along the center line, over the tanden are four important points. These points include the main tanden point (CO-6) as well as three "alarm" points.

CONCEPTION #6: CO-6

LOCATION: 1.5 inches directly below the navel on the median line of the body.

ANATOMY:A medial anterior branch of the eleventh intercostal nerve.

NOTE:The oriental name for CO-6 is kikai, "Sea of Ki". This point is the ki center (tanden) of the body.

CONCEPTION #5: CO-5

LOCATION: 2 inches directly below the navel.

ANATOMY:A medial anterior cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve.

NOTE: C0-5 is the alarm point for the triple warmer meridian.

CONCEPTION #4: CO-4

LOCATION: 3 inches directly below the navel.

ANATOMY:A medial anterior cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve.

NOTE: CO-4 is the alarm point of the small intestine meridian.

CONCEPTION #3: CO-3

LOCATION:

ANATOMY:A branch of the illohypogastric nerve.

NOTE: CO-3 is the alarm point of the bladder meridian. It is also the point at which the three leg yin meridians (kidney, spleen, and liver) intersect on the conception meridian.

METHOD: Strike these points either diagonally downward or diagonally upward to incapacitate an opponent.

CAUTION

Three classics of Chinese acupuncture - "The Great Compendium," "Bronze Statue," and "The Glorious Anthology of Acupuncture" - state the CO-5 should not be needled on women or they will be "rendered incapable of bearing children for life" (Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture). For this reason, we advise that techniques directed against the tanden collection of points only be indicated in practice with women.

*Taken from Advanced Pressure Point Fighting of Ryukyu Kempo by George A. Dillman with Chris Thomas (pp.116-123) and Dillman Karate International