6. Flexor Carpi Radialis

Origin: Medial epicondyle of the humerus

Insertion: Bases of 2nd metacarpals

Action:

  1. Flexes the wrist
  2. Radial deviation of the wrist

Innervation: Anterior interosseous nerve – a branch of the median nerve (C7/8)

Flexor carpi radialis.
Figure 11.12 Flexor carpi radialis, adapted by Uwe Gille from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

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

Palpation: Palpate the radial aspect of the anterior forearm and resist wrist flexion and radial deviation

Technique: Needle perpendicular to this muscle using the radius as a bony backdrop

Caution: Low

Needling flexor carpi radialis.
Figure 11.13 Needling flexor carpi radialis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 11.5 Needling flexor carpi radialis, 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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