Most martial arts employ some type of attacks on pressure points or vital points. In general "pressure point" refers to either a "tsubo", which is a large bundle of nerves that come together in a type of junction, or a place on the body where sensitive nerve endings are near the surface. Pressing or striking either of these areas can cause everything from mild pain to actual nerve damage. Most pressure point techniques depend on the person feeling pain, and thus reacting naturally to that pain and releasing a grip, or pulling away from the pain. Some pressure points, if struck correctly, can numb a limb or even cause a knock out.
But there is a "dark side" to pressure point attacks. Although attacking a pressure point and getting a reaction is very valid - the ABILITY to attack a pressure point effectively during a real fight is almost impossible. I have been to many seminars over the years with well known martial artists who demonstrate amazing knock outs or disable people with pressure point attacks. Everything they do is scientifically viable. But the ability to do it on a resisting attacker was NEVER successful. Let me repeat - NEVER.
So my humble opinion is - if you are using pressure point attacks to release a simple wrist grab or front choke - fine. Will probably irritate the attacker enough to let go momentarily. But if you are in a brawl with a strong opponent - dont depend on them!
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