Thumb Muscles: Pain Pattern and Treatment
The adductor pollicis and opponens pollicis sit in the thenar mound at the base of the thumb and power pinch and opposition. The adductor pollicis refers an aching pain along the outside of the thumb and at the base of the thumb just beyond the wrist crease; the opponens pollicis pattern covers the palm side of the thumb with spread to the radial side of the volar wrist.
Attachments and action
Origin: The capitate and the second and third metacarpals (adductor pollicis); the flexor retinaculum and the tubercle of the trapezium (opponens pollicis).
Insertion: The ulnar base of the thumb’s proximal phalanx (adductor pollicis); the radial border of the first metacarpal (opponens pollicis).
Action: Adduction of the thumb toward the palm for pinch (adductor) and rotation of the thumb across the palm for opposition (opponens).
Where the pain is felt: Aching along the outside of the thumb and at the base of the thumb just beyond the wrist crease, over the palm side of the thumb, and at the radial side of the volar wrist.
Common causes: Texting and phone grip, fine pinch work, weeding and pruning, writing, sewing and needlework, sustained pinch on tools.
Patients say: “Texting thumb.” A deep ache at the ball of the thumb. Pinch that gives out opening jars.
When to get evaluated: Thumb-base pain with a hard bony prominence, visible deformity, or pain that grinds on circular thumb motion gets assessed for basal joint arthritis before needling.
How this muscle is examined and treated
Examination tests pinch strength and thumb opposition and maps the thenar mound for the points that reproduce the familiar ache. Needling here is precise, superficial work in a small muscle compartment. Assessment and treatment happen in the same visit.
Related conditions
TendinitisChronic Pain PatternsSports & Performance Injuries
This page is educational. It describes muscle referral patterns commonly associated with pain; it does not diagnose your condition. Individual patterns vary. For evaluation of your specific pain, see a licensed clinician. Seek immediate medical care for emergencies. Eugene Baek, L.Ac. · New Jersey License 25MZ00080600