3. Adductor Hallucis

Origin:

  • Oblique head: bases of metatarsal 2-4
  • Transverse head: plantar ligaments of metatarsophalangeal joints

Insertion: Lateral aspect of the base of digit 1 proximal phalanx

Action: Adducts digit 1

Innervation: Medial plantar nerve (S2/3)

Adductor hallucis.
Figure 6.7 Adductor hallucis, adapted by Pngbot (mikm) from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate towards attachment point of this muscle

Technique:

    1. Needle towards attachment point of this muscle
    2. Can needle between metatarsals (more sensitive)

Caution: Low – interdigital nerves are vulnerable

Needling adductor hallucis.
Figure 6.8 Needling adductor hallucis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 6.3 Needling adductor hallucis, 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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