Muscles
Abductor hallucis
Abducts and flexes the big toe; supports the medial arch.
Overview
Abducts and flexes the big toe; supports the medial arch. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Medial plantar foot.
Referred pain pattern
Heel and medial arch — common contributor to plantar fasciitis-like pain.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Overpronation, weak intrinsics, tight shoes.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Foot intrinsic work, short-foot drill. Clinically: needling.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction