Dim Mak - Origin and Development of Pressure Points

The origins of pressure points are as old as the history of mankind. Primitive man learned that by striking his enemy at certain "weak" parts on the body his chances of survival in a confrontation were greatly improved. However pressure points as a science really came into maturity during the age of the Shaolin temple (built in 495 AD at the foot of Songshan Mountain in Henan Province, China).

Shaolin was like a university at that time and contained vast amounts of knowledge on both martial and healing arts. People would come from all over China to study at the famous Shaolin temple. Ex-soldiers seeking to live out their days in peace and solitude would often retire to the temple bringing with them different martial skills and battlefield experiences.

Doctors would travel to Shaolin to seek their advice and further their own knowledge as well as share their experiences. So it was a natural progression for the temple monks to combine their martial skills with their knowledge of the body's energy systems and functions to create the ultimate form of Pressure Point Fighting. This information gradually began to filter to the outside through monks leaving the temple to teach small pockets of the population.

During the Ching dynasty (1644 -1911) the Shaolin temple became a focal point for the rebellion against the Manchu leaders, often giving refuge to fugitive patriots as well as teaching their fighting skills to the community, who needed a fast and effective way to defend themselves against the Manchu oppression.

When the temple was eventually attacked and destroyed by a huge government force around 1674, the monks were forced to flee throughout China and blend in with the local population. With them they took the Shaolin knowledge of fighting and pressure point skills that eventually went on to form most of the traditional family styles of Kung Fu. Some monks also travelled to of South East . Asia, forming the basis of many of their martial systems.

Chinese civilisation is one of the oldest in the world, and an important part of its culture is the practice of martial arts and traditional medicine. The two are inseparably linked and their origins can be traced back 4,000 years. However because the history of pressure points has always been clouded in secrecy and passed on by word of mouth, we can find evidence of pressure points through the development of Chinese acupuncture.

A large number of distinguished practitioners of martial and healing arts, as well as Chinese doctors have made important historical achievements. This section offers a brief chronology with some of the major developments to give you an appreciation of the evolution or advancement of pressure point as a fighting and healing art.

Please note that due to China's very long and colourful history, it is difficult to give exact dates. Even eminent authorities differ on these dates; however, the dates given assure an approximate time in the history of China. The following is a table of dynasties.