Muscles

Flexor pollicis longus

Flexes the thumb's interphalangeal joint.

Referred pain map

Flexor pollicis longus (left panels) — deep anterior forearm trigger point with referred pain to the tip and volar surface of the thumb.

Overview

Flexes the thumb's interphalangeal joint. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.

Trigger point locations

Anterior forearm deep along the radius.

Referred pain pattern

Tip of the thumb and base of the thumb.

Palpation & testing

Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.

Common causes

Texting thumb, gaming, repetitive thumb use.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Thumb-down stretches, ergonomic correction. Clinically: needling, addressing forearm chain.

Symptoms commonly linked

Thumb pain
Wrist pain

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction