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The anatomy of Nikyo (Aikido's second teaching)
1Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Nikyo, an Aikido joint-lock, causes extreme pain by compressing the pisiform bone against the ulna. This action stimulates periosteal nerves, explaining the technique's effectiveness in controlling an opponent.
Area of Science:
- Martial Arts
- Biomechanics
- Pain Science
Background:
- Nikyo is a fundamental Aikido joint-lock technique.
- The precise cause of pain from Nikyo has been debated among practitioners.
- Previous explanations included nerve compression and ligamentous strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the biomechanical mechanism underlying the pain produced by the Nikyo technique.
- To identify the specific anatomical structures responsible for the intense pain elicited by Nikyo.
Main Methods:
- Examination of wrist anatomy using cadaver specimens.
- Analysis of the joint movements and bone interactions during the Nikyo application.
Main Results:
- Nikyo forces the pisiform bone into abnormal articulation with the ulna.
- This forceful compression stimulates the periosteal nerves located on the surfaces of these bones.
- The stimulation of periosteal nerves is the primary source of the intense pain.
Conclusions:
- The pain from Nikyo is primarily caused by the stimulation of periosteal nerves due to abnormal bone-on-bone contact.
- Understanding this mechanism clarifies the effectiveness of Nikyo in controlling an opponent through pain induction.