Shōtō Karate JutsuDim Mak
Dim mak is an ancient martial art that consists of pressing/striking certain points on the body. These vital points and pressure points are called dim mak points.
A majority of these points are the same as the points used in acupuncture. Dim mak uses the ancient knowledge of chi, the circulating life force / energy that flows around the body through invisible channels called meridians.
The ancients believed that enhanced health and vitality would result from a good flowing chi and diseases caused disruptions in the flow of chi. The Chinese meditative martial art of 'Tai Chi' is designed to improve the flow of chi through the body and get a balance of yin and yang (male/female, forceful/yielding, bright/dark, active/passive, upward/downward, hot/cold, expanding/contracting, strong/weak).
Acupuncture uses the acupuncture points on the body to manipulate the flow of chi by removing blockages and disruptions using pressure, burning herbs and needles.
Where as dim mak uses the dim mak points to create blockages and disruptions in the flow of chi and therefore causing illness, knockout or death.
Like all the ancient martial arts, dim mak has been shrouded in secrecy until recently, but unlike other martial arts, study and knowledge of dim mak is still limited. This is mainly due to the fact that dim mak is an extremely dangerous martial art and it's knowledge is only passed onto the most advanced and trusted students.
Other martial arts use some of the dim mak points within their fighting styles to produce knockouts but the knowledge and understanding has long been forgotten by all but a few. Even boxers unknowningly use dim mak points to produce knockouts. For example, a boxer who is said to have a 'Glass Jaw', i.e. is easily knocked out by an uppercut to the jaw, has a overally sensitive dim mak point under their jaw.
Effectiveness of dim mak varies depending on the sensitivity of the dim mak points which vary from person to person. These variations are due to build, muscle tone, sex, age and numerous other facts. For example, a body builder who is well toned with very little excess body fat will have more sensitive dim mak points.