See our new post with updated information: Myths and Misconceptions of Martial Arts: Dim Mak is real and is useful

Dim mak, the touch of death! Strike the opponent on specific pressure points along meridians throughout the body and shut down the opponents kidneys, or liver, or even heart! Is it real? Not so much. While this secretive, legendary style of fighting does have some specs of reality, there has been no evidence or scientific study to show that striking a combination of points on the body can effect organs or cause death.

“So is it just a magic trick that someone made up to deceive others?” Not in my opinion. Dim mak was developed from eastern medicine that is thought to heal the body, or specifically the organs, through manipulating acupoints along meridians on the body. The thought is, if manipulating these acupoints in a specific order can heal an organ, then doing the reverse order will harm the organ. That’s it, it was supposedly developed out of a theory that was never truly tested successfully.

“But what about the videos of instructors successfully demonstrating Dim mak on their students?” The key words here are “their students”. I’ve yet to witness or see any accounts of these techniques working on anyone other than their own students. So why does it work on their students? Because the brain is a powerful organ. Much like a placebo, the student believes this technique will work and therefore trains the body to react as if it does.

“So does that mean all pressure points are fake?” Absolutely not! There are many points on the body that can be manipulated, but there is no mystery behind them and they do not affect organs nor can they cause death. These points are simply nerves. Some are nerve endings, some are nerves crossing, and others are nerves splitting. They are sensitive points on the body that can cause pain. There are even nerves on the body that can be struck that can lead to loss of motor function and even unconsciousness! There are simply one strike points however, not a super secret combination of striking points. I can, and have, taught untrained students how to deliver a strike to the brachial plexus to “knock out” an opponent, it’s really quite simple.

With that said I would like to say, I’ve loved studying Dim mak and the mystery and the stories behind it. While I don’t currently believe it’s real, I’d be ecstatic to find out otherwise. So as I’ve mentioned before, if you feel you can prove me wrong, please do so, I would love that!

More Myths and Misconceptions about Martial Arts

Part I – Martial Arts are all about Fighting

Part II – Sport vs. self-Defense

Part III – Size and Strength are of no importance in Martial Arts

Part IV – Horizontal Punch vs. Vertical Punch

Part V – Dim Mak (pressure points)

Part VI – Military fighting systems, such as Krav Maga, are the best self defense systems to be learned for self defense.

Part VII – My martial art is better than your martial art

Part VIII – The Hook punch is the most powerful punch you can throw