Dim mak pressure point Stomach 6 (Jia Che – Jaw vehicle) is a vital point that is usually targeted in the martial arts; it can also be accidentally struck on the sporting field as seen in the attached photo of Aussie Rules football players (Tyrone Vickery’s crude round-arm to Dean Cox’s head).
Photo courtesy of HERALD SUN, July 26, 2014
Dean Cox was knocked unconscious and didn’t return to play after failing a concussion test. He had no broken bones in his face and jaw but was monitored closely by medical staff for concussion. Dean Cox could not remember the incident and he is being assessed for further after-effects of this injury.
Students in our dim mak kung fu defence classes are taught about this point, they are taught how to use it if necessary and how to protect this point from being struck.
Below is an account of how the point works or what acutually happens to the body when this point is struck. It is an explanation based on Western medical principles. More in-depth information, especially how it works according to Chinese medical dim mak pressure point theory can be found in my Dim Mak Manual: Art & Science of Deadly Pressure Point Fighting.
Location
Dim mak pressure point Stomach 6 is located at the angle of the jaw, one fingerbreadth anterior and superior to the angle of the jaw. It can be felt when the teeth are clenched in the masseter muscle where it attaches to the jaw. This is also the site for the classic knockout punch of western boxing. The facial nerve has branches that run over the outside of the jawbone and are easily compressed against it. This makes Stomach 6 noticed as a tingling depression in the jaw on pressing.
Knockouts
A pressure point knockout can be achieved from hitting this point hard by multiple mechanisms. Firstly, in terms of western medical understanding, there is a neurological shutdown. A part of the brain called the reticular activating system has the function of keeping people awake. A punch to the jaw acts like pushing on a lever to turn the head on the spine. This causes indirect magnified trauma to the brain. The compression of nerve cells triggers a simultaneous excess firing like an epileptic fit. This overloads and disrupts the normal functioning of the reticular activating system resulting in unconsciousness.
Secondly, there is a blood knockout. When the jaw is hit and turns, the other side of the jaw slams into the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves on that side of the neck. These innervate the nucleus tractus solitarii which controls pulse and blood pressure. Pressure on these nerves causes the same effect as pressure on the carotid sinus (Stomach 9), which makes the brain think the blood pressure is too high and reflexly slows down or temporarily stops the heart. This results in a loss of circulation to the brain. Loss of blood supply to the brain for 10 seconds or less results in a loss of consciousness as the brain has virtually no stored energy itself, making it dependent upon a continuous supply through the circulation.
Keep in mind that there are also many other pressure points that can cause a knockout. Details of these can be found in our books, DVDs and manuals.
Protection
You’ll notice that inorder to protect their jaw, boxers are taught to keep their chin down. In this position, the trapezius muscles are more able to support the jaw and stop excessive rotation if it is hit. Likewise, if someone sees a punch coming they are less likely to be knocked out as they will tighten their neck muscles which prevents over-rotation of the jaw.
Boxers are also taught to clench their teeth to splint the jaw, reducing the chance of a jaw fracture and also reducing neck rotation. Having the rear guard hand up high enough to quickly cover the jaw is also standard.
Legal Consideration
A strike to Stomach 6 is also arguably safer than strikes to adjacent structures in the head and neck. A jaw strike could cause a knockout, concussion or a broken jaw. A strike to the neck or temple could cause death or permanent disability. So a Stomach 6 knockout can end a fight hopfully without the risk of serious legal ramifications. A knockout is also morally in the overall interest of all of the parties, as the fight is ended without risk of more serious injuries subsequently occurring to those involved.
Other Resources
The following resources are available at Golden Lion Dim Mak World:
- Dim Mak Manual, Art & Science of Deadly Pressure Point Fighing (manual)
- Ghost Hands of Dim Mak on DVD
- Knife Defence on DVD
- Top 36 Secret Shaolin Pressure Points (set of cards)
- Centreline Theory on DVD
- Two Dragons Of Dim Mak: pressure point techniques for healing and martial arts (Book)
Many thanks to our Golden Lion dim mak kung fu student Dr Michael Croce for his help with this article.