Tim,
I remember one of your books mentioned lbs. of pressure etc. for bone breaks.

I have always wondered... what would the lbs. of pressure be to break the xyphoid process?

If you dont wish to answer this... I understand.

Thanks.

Rich,

I don't know. Maybe someone with medical knowledge will answer.

it might be difficult because it 'floats' in several different muscle groups, so there's nothing to hold it in place while trying to put pressure on it.

Actually, this is pretty simple - It merely depends on the angle and type of force used...

As Jason mentioned it floats in several different muscle groups - plus it extends down from the thoracic region. Therefore applying a standard force punch wouldn't do the trick. However if you increase the ballistic force yet, shorten the power curve you may be able to break it with 2lbs. - 4lbs. pressure - "if" (and this is an important if) you apply said ballistic force at a 45º upward angle. Why? because a downward force creates an open chain structure and would allow the short burst ballistic force to dissipate through the absorptive structure. Hence, the 45º vertical force curve creates a closed chain effect, the xyphoid snaps and lacerates the liver. Interstingly, it may take up to 2 minutes of internal sanguinal flow before your opponent succumbs to unconsciousness. If the opponent is in an aroused state of fight or flight response - this may not be enough to stop his attack before he can harm you. So, it is recommended that you immediately follow up said attack with counter flanking move exposing the opponents medulla process to a secondary ballistic pulse strike. A strike to this area will instantly short circuit a humans neuro-motor capacity.

This guy seems to know.
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/aug99/936014372.Bp.r.html

But the real answer is hard to say (so to speak). What you might want to do is conduct your own experiments..on your own throat. One of our guys did, I will call him Mad Mike, and he claimed you could choke yourself out. He never mentioned whether you could bust your own throat bone. Mad Mike also believed that wing chun was an invincible martial art so his conclusions maybe somewhat suspect.

yours in medical malpractice,
Dr. BK

I thank you all for your input... but brian, the xyphoid process is not located in the throat... that is the hyoid, but I knew a girl that practiced the hyoid manuever with great affects.

Peace.

anyone heard of the "hawaiian art of bonebreaking"?? I remember an ad for it a long time ago in some kung fu mag.

Also, Kopo Ryu?

My bad, I meant kapo ryu

Bob,

I think you are referring to Kapu Kuialua. It's a combined style taught by a martial arts teacher here in So. Ca. named Kazja, and is a combined art based on Hawaiian and Polynesian styles and Kempo.

Traditional Hawaiian Lua is supposed to contain a lot of bone dislocating and breaking techniques.