The Vulcan nerve pinch, also known as a neck pinch, was a Vulcan technique in which an individual applied pressure to the nerves near the base of the neck, often causing almost immediate unconsciousness. While primarily used by Vulcans, it could be used by non-Vulcans too. The victims of a Vulcan neck pinch could suffer headaches afterwards. (TOS novel: Enterprise: The First Adventure; TOS episode: "The Enterprise Incident")
Spock has used the Vulcan nerve pinch in quite a few situations. (TOS episodes: "The Enemy Within", "Wolf in the Fold"; TOS comics: "No Time Like the Past", "The Long Night's Dawn!"; TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptation: Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
In 2259 of the Kelvin timeline, Spock attempted to use the pinch to subdue Khan Noonien Singh to no avail. (TOS movie: Into Darkness) By 2263, he had taught the technique to James T. Kirk who used it to defeat Simon Grayson. (TOS - IDIC comic: "Part 3")
In 2267 Spock used the nerve pinch to subdue Admiral Quarlo Kabreigny. (ST novel: Federation)
Spock has also used it on the horselike Tsemu on Nimbus III. (TOS movie, novelization & comic adaptation: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
Spock said when people awoke from a Vulcan nerve pinch, they felt refreshed and rested. (TOS comic: "Destination Annihilation")
The human Gary Seven was immune to the Vulcan nerve pinch. (TOS episode: "Assignment: Earth"; TOS novel: Assignment: Eternity)
As a Vulcan, Saavik was able to perform the Vulcan nerve pinch. On Stardate 8173.5 she used this technique on Trisha Fox who was impersonating Captain James T. Kirk. (TOS comic: "Who Is... Enigma?")
Tasha Yar has been hit with the Vulcan nerve pinch while in the line of duty. (TNG novel: Survivors)
Some humans such as Captains Jonathan Archer and Jean-Luc Picard are capable of using the Vulcan nerve pinch, possibly due to their experiences with Vulcan mind melds, Leonard McCoy however was incapable of using it against a Starfleet security guard on Earth after Spock transferred his katra into McCoy's mind. (TOS movie & novelization: The Search for Spock; TNG episodes: "Sarek", "Starship Mine")
The android Data had also mastered the Vulcan nerve pinch. (TNG novels: Unification, The Battle of Betazed; TNG movie: Star Trek Nemesis)
Odo performed a Vulcan nerve pinch on a Starfleet security officer to free Benjamin Sisko from detention in Starfleet Headquarters in 2372. (DS9 episode: "Paradise Lost")
In 2373 Soleta performed the Vulcan nerve pinch on Burgoyne 172. (NF novel: Martyr) Soleta also performed this technique on Captain Elizabeth Shelby. (NF short story: "Pain Management")
As a one-eighth Vulcan, Phillipa Matthias was trained in the Vulcan nerve pinch technique. (DS9 - Mission Gamma novel: This Gray Spirit)
External link[]
- Vulcan nerve pinch article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Vulcan nerve pinch article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.