Figure 1: Points on the back of the arm

In Part 1 of the “Attacking the pressure points of the arms” series we introduced the pressure points of the arms and explained their importance and function in our pressure point fighting arsenal. We also looked at how to target some of the points on the forearm and bicep by means of the outer forearm block. In Part 2, we investigated the pressure points on the wrists, and how to target these off grabs and punches using the palm-hooking block. We also explained the working of pressure points, and methods of nerve activation. Now in Part 3 of the series, we will focus on the dorsal side of the arms.

The points that I would like to cover in the article all lay on the triple warmer meridian on the back of the arm. As explained in earlier articles, the body has twelve primary meridians or imaginary lines of nerves, mirrored on both sides of the body. The triple warmer meridian is one of the most important meridians from a pressure point fighting perspective, with majority of the meridian lying on the arms. The triple warmer meridian is the only nerve meridian not related to an organ. The triple warmer can be broken down into three sections, namely: the upper warmer, middle warmer and lower warmer. The upper warmer runs from the top of the head to the nipple line. The middle warmer runs from the nipple line of the chest to the naval line of the torso. The lower warmer runs from the navel line to the soles of the feet. When striking the triple warmer meridian, it sets up the entire upper, middle and lower warmer, which in turn activates all the nerve meridians and organs of that related warmer. Thus by striking the points of the triple warmer, you are able to set up all of the body’s other meridians, which will significantly increase the body reaction when you follow up with subsequent strikes.

Figure 3: Triple warmer 11 (TW-11) point or Golchi Tendon on the
back of the arm

Triple warmer 11 (TW-11)

Triple warmer 11 (TW-11) is located on the tricep muscle’s golchi tendon, two fingers above the elbow joint (see figure 1 and 3). Golchi tendons are found in all joints, and are responsible for the releasing of the tendons in those joints.

Triple warmer 11 is a rub point, which shows very little reaction to striking and pressing. This point is very effective in releasing of the elbow joint, which comes in very handy in joint manipulation (tuite) techniques.

Triple warmer 12 (TW-12)

Triple warmer 12 is located in the middle of the back of the arm, in the horseshoe “V” of the triceps muscles (see figures 1 and 7). This point reacts mainly to striking, and is best activated when struck directly into the bone.

Triple warmer “V” (TW-5, 6 & 7)

Figure 2: Triple warmer “V” (TW-5, 6 & 7) points on the forearm

The triple warmer “V” is found on the top of the forearm, and consists of three points, namely: TW-5, TW-6 and TW-7. This triangle or ”V” of points (refer figure 2) is used differently from other pressure points which we have covered in the arm point series. While it is possible to strike (attacking) these points, these points on the forearm are used mainly for striking purposes (to attack with). Using your own pressure points to attack you are able to inject more energy / ki into your attacker with the strike, thus enhancing the technique.

The triple warmer “V” is located on the top of forearm, approximately four fingers up from the wrist crease, where the arm starts to flatten out (refer figure 2). In this article, we will cover the utilisation of these points to enhance the strike to the Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) point on the back of the arm.

Straightening the arm using TW-11

Figure 3: Triple warmer 11 (TW-11) point or Golchi Tendon on the
back of the arm

In some confrontations or situations, it is often not necessary or even deemed excessive to strike another person. In such cases, we would prefer to control our opponent while inflicting as much pain possible, without physical signs of violent behavior or brutality, as required by doormen, law enforcement officers and medical personnel.

Triple warmer 11 (TW-11) is used to straighten and control the arm of your attacker. By straightening and controlling the arm, the body of the person you are applying the technique to goes forward, exposing his back. This way, he is unable to punch you with his free other arm, nor is he able to kick given the forward position of his body. It is possible to take him face down onto the ground, while still applying the rubbing motion to the arm, all the time talking to him and trying to diffuse the situation.

It is always easy to straighten the arm and apply a lock or arm bar to a willing opponent during training. However, in the case of a confrontation with an aggressive, usually much larger and stronger attacker, the ability to straighten that arm is often an impossible task.

Figure 4a: Triple warmer 11 (TW- 11) point or Golchi Tendon on the back of the arm Figure 4b – Straightening the arm by using the wrist points in conjunction with TW-11

Grab the wrist of the person you wish to control, targeting the Heart 6 (H-6) and Lung 8 (L-8) points covered in the previous article. While pulling the wrist towards you, rub the TW-11 point just above the elbow in a rapid up down fashion (2 – 3 cm’s) (see figure 4a-b). Use the hand position shown in figure 5, similar to a middle knuckle fist. This will release the elbow and cause an involuntary straightening of the arm.

Figure 5: Hand position for rubbing Triple warmer 11 (TW-11) on the back of the arm


Figure 6 – Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) located in the horseshoe “V” of the triceps.


Figure 7 – Pushing down on Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) using the outer forearm (palmok).

Note that the hand position in figure 5 has the middle knuckle protruding slightly more than the other knuckles. This helps to penetrate the triceps muscles.

Often problems experienced with this application, is as result of rubbing the point from side to side rather than in an up and down fashion.

Your intent needs to be to vibrate the nerve on the bone. Ensure that the rubbing motion is not purely on the surface of the skin, but penetrates through onto the bone. By pulling the wrist back while applying the rubbing motion, you are exposing and stretching the nerve for enhanced effect. In the case where the elbow is bent more than ninety degrees, it becomes almost impossible to access the TW 11 point, as the triceps muscles and tendons covers and protects the point. Striking Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12) using the TW “V” Due to the location of TW-12, it is generally approached from the outside of your attacker/opponent’s guard.

Striking the point results in the involuntary forward bending of the body, with the head whip lashing backwards, exposing some of the head and neck points we will be covering in later articles. As explained above under the Triple Warmer “V” section, striking a point using some of your own pressure points enhances the technique significantly.

Experiment with the following: Have your training partner extend his arm out to the side (as in figure 7). Have him resist you pushing his arm forward using the outer part of the forearm (palmok), while holding his wrist (H-6 and L-8 if you like). Now repeat the same exercise, by having your training partner resisting against your pushing again. Instead of using your outer forearm this time, use the Triple Warmer “V” (as shown in figure 2 and 8).

Notice the difference, and your partner’s inability to resist against the pushing against his arm. The reason for the enhanced effectiveness of the technique is due to you inputting energy directly into his TW-12 point by placing your TW “V” on top of it. Thus when striking this point, it will render the best results when struck with the top part of the forearm using the TW “V”. A practical application of striking TW-12 is shown in the sequence below in picture sequence. The attacker throws a right punch. Step to the outside of his guard, blocking the forearm using an outer forearm knife-hand block, and latching onto the Heart 6 (H-6) and Lung 8 (L-8) points of the wrist.

Follow up with a strike to TW-12 using the TW “V” as explained above. As the body of your attacker launches forward, finish him off with a strike to TW-17 behind the ear. The striking with the Triple Warmer “V” is also found in the Taekwondo W-shape block, which I will cover later on in the series.

Picture sequence: Defending against an attack by striking Triple Warmer 12 (TW-12)

The opponent swings a punch, which Boosabumnim André avoids, grabbing the opponent’s forearm and activating the wrist points (Heart-6 and Lung-8). Using Tripple Warmer “V” on his own forearm Boosabumnim André follows through to apply an armbar by striking into the opponent’s Tripple Warmer-12 point.Boosabumnim André steps forward to complete the takedown, forcing the opponent to the ground. In full control Boosabumnim André can try to dissuade the attacker or wait for authorities.

References:
Graphic of pressure points on the back of the arm. Used with permission from Evan Pantazi.