How pressure points can level the playing field in women's self defense

Most intensive self defense classes for women will cover a number of topics. Typically, you will be taught to recognize potentially dangerous situations so that you can avoid them. You will probably be instructed in the use of non lethal self defense tools, such as stun guns, pepper spray and personal alarms. You will likely also learn several physical self defense tactical moves that you can use to get away from you attacker long enough to get to safety. This might include elbow jabs and shin kicks.

The one area that seems to be lacking in many self defense classes designed for women is the use of pressure points. Pressure points can be used to either loosen your attacker's grip, or to cause sufficient pain which will cause the attacker to let go.

A pressure point is defined as a point on the body that has a prevalence of nerves in it. Applying pressure to any of these points will trigger what is known as a pain withdrawal reflex. When pain is felt, natural reaction is to move away from the source of the pain.