5. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus

Origin: Lateral supracondylar ridge of the humerus

Insertion: Base of the 2nd metacarpal

Action:

  • Extends the wrist
  • Radially deviates the wrist

Innervation: Radial nerve (C6/7)

Extensor carpi radialis longus.
Figure 9.11 Extensor carpi radialis longus, adapted by Selket from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Various (prone, supine, sitting) with arm pronated

Palpation: Isolate this muscle by resisting wrist extension and radial deviation

Technique: Needle directly perpendicular to this muscle

Caution: Low

Needling extensor carpi radialis longus.
Figure 9.12 Needling extensor carpi radialis longus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 9.5 Needling extensor carpi radialis longus, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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