Lesson: Interneurons

Lesson: Interneurons — The Hidden Gatekeepers of Kyusho Response

What Are Interneurons?

Interneurons are small, relay-type neurons that exist entirely within the central nervous system — primarily the spinal cord & brainstem.

They don’t connect directly to muscles or sensory organs, but instead bridge the gap between sensory input & motor or autonomic output.

Why Are They Important?

Because almost every reflex, motor inhibition, or pain modulation response you trigger through Kyusho passes through an interneuron first.

Types of Interneurons:

• Excitatory interneurons pass signals forward (e.g. for movement or reflexes)

• Inhibitory interneurons suppress signals (e.g. to stop a muscle from firing)

• Renshaw cells help regulate motor output & prevent over-firing

• Propriospinal interneurons allow reflexes to spread across levels of the spine (important in full-body knockouts or shutdowns)

Martial Application in Kyusho & Tuite:

When you strike a cutaneous nerve, stretch a joint, or compress fascia, you’re sending a barrage of afferent signals into the spinal cord.

Interneurons then decide how the body responds:

• Muscle shuts off? Thank inhibitory interneurons (reciprocal inhibition)

• Limb spasms or drops? Could be reflex arc routed by excitatory interneurons

• Body-wide freeze or collapse? Propriospinal spread across multiple spinal segments

• Pain fades when you rub it? That’s Gate Control Theory — interneurons blocking pain at the spinal level

Bonus Insight:

The more complex the technique, the more likely it’s influencing interneuronal decision-making, not just the peripheral nerves or muscles.

That’s why a single strike might do nothing, but combining pressure + angle + twist + structure creates full-body disruption.

This why it is key to have correct point location, angle & direction & combinations following the theories. It is the difference between success & failure.

Understand the Science. Master the Art! 🐼