What are pressure points used for in self-defense?

Pressure points are specific areas on the body that, when activated, can cause pain or discomfort, and they are primarily used in self-defense to control resistant behavior through pain compliance. The effectiveness of pressure points lies in the body’s innate response to discomfort; targeting these areas can lead a resistant individual to comply with an officer's commands or actions.

In self-defense scenarios, applying pressure to these points can provide a tactical advantage, allowing law enforcement or self-defense practitioners to de-escalate a situation without the need for excessive force. This technique can be especially useful when trying to gain control over a subject who is physically resisting arrest. The knowledge and application of pressure point techniques thus serve not only to enhance the overall safety of the situation for both the responder and the subject but also to uphold the ethos of using the minimum necessary force.

The other options highlight different aspects of self-defense or law enforcement techniques, but they do not specifically relate to the role and function of pressure points in managing resistance. Pressure points do not enhance physical strength, provide insight into intentions, or function primarily as distractions. Rather, their main utility resides in their ability to encourage compliance through pain, making the correct choice the one that accurately reflects their purpose in defensive tactics.