Flexor Carpi Radialis : a wrist flexor muscle

Flexor: tells us that this muscle can perform “flexion”

Carpi: refers to the wrist

Radialis: referring to one of two forearm bones, the RADIUS (which is on the thumb side of your arm!)

 Official Attachments points:

-originates: from the “common flexor tendon” from the medial epicondyle of the humerus*

(Flexor Carpi Radialis then stretches across the inside of the forearm diagonally and inserts at the bases of the 2^nd and 3^rd metacarpals (just above the wrist bones where the finger bones start!)

*note that the medial epicondyle of the humerus is that bony bump on the inside of your elbow. All the flexors of the wrist originate here via the ‘common extensor tendon’ (or nearby!)

This muscle helps out with THREE actions of the wrist and arm:

1)   Flexion of the wrist at the radio-carpal joint*

2)   Abduction of the wrist at the radio-carpal joint

3)   Flexion of the elbow!

 Wrist flexors hold lots of tension due to our overuse of computers/cellphones/iPads etc!  

Regular arm and hand massage keeps the blood flowing and the muscles happy ! At the end of a good computer session (or any repetitive strain really!) -  Try running arms and wrists under cold water to help reduce any micro inflammation you may have created ! This can help prevent soreness and stiffness down the road !