4. First Dorsal Interossei

Origin: Adjacent sides of metacarpals 1 and 2

Insertion: Extensor expansion and base of proximal phalanges of digit 2

Action: Abducts digit 1

Innervation: Deep branch of ulnar nerve (C8/T1)

First dorsal interossei.
Figure 9.8 First dorsal interossei, by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

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

Palpation: Palpate the 1st web space – typically banding is located close to the metacarpals

Technique:

    • Needle through the muscle belly
    • Needle towards the metacarpals

Caution: Low

Needling the first dorsal interossei.
Figure 9.9 Needling the first dorsal interossei, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling the first dorsal interossei.
Figure 9.10 Needling the first dorsal interossei, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 9.4 Needling the first dorsal interossei, 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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