7. Pronator Teres

Origin:

• Humeral head: Medial supracondylar ridge of the humerus
• Ulnar head: Coronoid process of the ulna

Insertion: Lateral surface of the radius just distal to the ulna

Action:

• Pronates the forearm
• Assists in flexing the elbow

Innervation: Median nerve (C6/7)

Needling

Position: Various (sitting, supine, prone) with forearm supinated

Palpation: Palpate from the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the midradius and resist forearm pronation to help isolate this muscle

Technique: Needle directly into this muscle avoiding midline to avoid the brachial artery – Needle at either the insertion or origin region

Caution: Moderate – this muscle lies directly over the brachial artery as it bifurcates into radial and ulnar arteries – The median nerve will pass through the two heads of this muscle as well