Use of shu points in Kyusho Jutsu:
Does fire burn metal?
by Zoltan Dienes and Mike Flanagan
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METHOD
Participants: The participants (ukes) were 16 students attending
a karate class at the University of Sussex Shotokan Karate Club.
Design: Two types of point sequences were used: sequences containing
shu points; and sequences containing "vanilla" points, i.e. points
which did not fall into a formal TCM category (e.g. shu, xi, mu, connecting,
etc). We had one shu target and one shu set up point; and one vanilla target
with one vanilla set up, described below. Each uke was tested on both shu
and vanilla sequences, but with at least a 20 minute break between each
sequence. In the first block of testing, an uke was tested on a target alone
and also, with at least a 20 minute gap in between, with the target preceded
by the set up but this time on the other side of the body. Here some 'counterbalancing'
variables came in, the conditions of which each uke was randomly assigned.
The first counterbalancing variable was shu order (half the ukes were tested
with the shu sequence in the first block, half with the shu sequence in
the second block). For the first and second blocks separately the following
was counterbalanced: target alone order (was the target alone struck first;
or was the set up-target sequence struck first); left/right (half the ukes
were first tested on the right side and then the left side; the other half
of the ukes were tested first left and then right) - we did not strike exactly
the same point again in the experiment in case there was residual local
sensitivity, bruising, etc from the first strike. In addition, between the
blocks, we counterbalanced the pairing of target alone order in the first
block with the target alone order in the second block. There were thus four
counterbalancing variables, making 8 cells in the design. There were two
ukes in each cell. The pairing of left/right first in the first block with
left/right first in the second block was free to vary randomly. The 16 precise
orders of blows for each uke were drawn up in advance of testing and ordered
randomly according to a random number generator. Ukes were then tested in
that pre-determined random order.
Before the experiment was run, tori practiced the points on different ukes
for several sessions, so that he could hit the exact points accurately and
in a standard way. Tori and all ukes did not know how to classify points
according to their associated elements and did not know the point of the
experiment; i.e. the experiment was run "double blind".
Points Used |
set up |
target |
| "Vanilla" |
H2 (fire) |
Lu4 (metal) |
| "shu" |
TW3 (fire) |
Lu5 (metal) |
As can be seen, in both sequences the destructive cycle was followed ("fire
burns metal"). Consider now the shu sequence. TW3 is the tonification
point for the TW (triple warmer) meridian. Thus, striking TW3 would lead
to an increase in fire qi. By the destructive cycle, metal qi is sedated.
Lu5 is the sedation point for the Lu (Lung) meridian. Thus, striking Lu5
should aggravate the existing deficiency in Lu (metal) qi, making this strike
particularly effective. Note that the set up point was struck in the direction
of qi flow, and the target point was struck against the flow. All these
points are points that are used by martial artists.
Instructions to participants: During this session, Jez will approach
you a couple of times. We are testing some theories about how different
pressure points elicit pain. If you don't want to participate that is fine,
just say so when he approaches you. If you have any medical conditions you
should not participate. He will simply strike either just one pressure point
on you or two in succession. You may not feel anything, or you may feel
some more or less moderate pain. You will be asked to give a pain rating
to each strike. If you feel no pain, then give '0' for your pain rating.
Now I want you to imagine some time you banged your shin or ankle, or stubbed
a toe. Imagine a time when it was really very painful, so painful you wanted
to sit down. If you can't remember a specific episode, that's fine, just
imagine what it would be like. That amount of pain we call '10'. I will
give you 10 seconds now to choose and clearly fix in your mind how much
pain a '10' feels like .... that's good. If when you are struck you feel
that amount of pain, then say '10'. If half that amount of pain then say
'5'; if twice that amount say '20', and so on.
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