How to Heal Pressure Point Strikes

When training in any martial art, there is always the potential for injury. The types of injuries a student will endure, though, are dictated by the art he studies, some being more difficult to deal with than others. Those martial arts that incorporate pressure point strikes (also called nerve strikes) can cause unusual injuries when such a strike is performed, but fortunately, most injuries are relatively simple to recover from.

Things You'll Need

• Hot pack
• Dit da jow

Instructions

1. Check the struck area for bruising or other visible damage. Most properly done nerve strikes will not leave more than a red mark, but if bleeding or tissue damage is evident, you may need medical treatment. Keep an eye out for excessive bruising in particular, as it may indicate internal injuries. Consult a physician if more than minor bruising occurs or if pain or other unusual sensations last for more than a few days.

2. Massage the area around the strike point. While pressure point strikes target vulnerable nerves, the bulk of their effects are often transferred to the surrounding muscles, which may jerk or seize up painfully at the moment of the strike. Firmly massaging these muscles regularly after receiving such a strike can help to alleviate residual soreness and soothe any lasting tingling or otherwise odd nerve sensations.

3. Move the area around often, especially if the nerve strike was on a limb, and apply a hot pack regularly. Both of these activities will stimulate blood flow to the injury and help to speed recovery, as well as helping to alleviate lasting odd nerve sensations. Use a slow and smooth motion when moving any nerve-struck part of your body and avoid jerky or hard movements, which may further irritate the nerves.

4. Apply dit da jow to the struck area. Dit da jow is a term for any one of a wide variety of traditional Chinese herbal liniments, and it is commonly used in martial arts training. If your martial arts school does not have its own stock, it can be purchased from martial arts supply stores or some herbal shops. Dit da jow will help all the affected tissues to heal. Put some on the skin of the area and firmly massage it in to help speed your recovery.

5. Give it time. Pressure point strikes can seem insignificant, as they do not usually leave visible marks or obvious physical damage behind, but they can take a few days to fully recover from. Until the struck area feels completely normal again, you should go easy on it as much as possible to avoid re-injury or further complications.

References

• "Martial Arts Injuries: Prevention and Management" by Neil Barua and Andy Roosen