Did I use a 'striking' technique without knowing it? And how did I avoid injury?

Question

Background:

Today, in an unconscious moment, I struck at a metal tin with the palm of my hand. I felt the impact of the tin's rim on the bony part of my wrist...

But to my relief, I feel no pain at all and got away with a surface scratch!

Note:

Kindly refer to my original questions above. I'm curious to know how the palm and wrist can create such damage - while sustaining little or no injury and hurt.

Nice to hear of your cat stance...But, err, f.y.i., I am not a martial artist! I only wrote/ asked because I reckon the practitioners would know best. Thanks for your answer.

Answer 1

It sounds like you did execute a palm strike, referred to as a shotei in Japanese, but there is not enough information to know for sure.

The way that this strike is intended to be used is by striking with the heel of the palm (the meaty part down by the base of thumb) with the hand held vertically, perpendicular to the arm.

It is relatively safe and strong strike because a) that part of the hand is well padded and the bones are fairly strong. And b) When the hand is held vertically, the heel of the palm is aligned with the wrist and the bones of the arm which makes it very well supported and allows a good transference of energy. This may explain why you felt it in your wrist but no pain.

Answer 2

The palm strike is one of the simplest and least likely to cause injury to the striker. The use of the knuckles and fist are common causes of injury to fingers and wrists. The key part of self defense is to protect yourself, and punching without training and practice are dangerous. I teach the palm strike in all my self defense seminars.

The strike of the palm is almost automatically aligned with the arm, giving it strength and some power from momentum. A palm strike to the side of the jaw can be a knockout blow. To the nose it is likely to break it, cause a lot of blood and eye watering allowing escape. A solid palm strike to the ribs can break them. One to the side of a joint can dislocate.

Answer 3

I would say its most likely luck you werent hurt. But also I guess that could be called a palm strike

Answer 4

Due to lots of practice your muscles and reflexs made you do that unconciousy...Once when I was sleeping I fell out of bed and landed in a cat stance.

Answer 5

No offense but you may not have hit as hard as you thought.
You may have pulled back quickly, always a good thing.
As long as you are ok, that is the main thing.
Cheers !

Answer 6

Mind over Matter is a Very power full toll.

Answer 7

you must lead a boring life.