Thenar muscles
Body region：Wrist and hand
Ache at the base of the thumb, weak pinch grip
Function
A group of muscles at the base of the thumb that abduct, oppose and flex the thumb.
Common causes
Prolonged phone use, pinching and holding, carrying children, and repeated thumb movements.
Massage and stretching
- Thumb makes circles to loosen
- Thumb back-extension stretch
Related acupoints
- Hegu (LI4)：In the web between thumb and index finger, at the highest point of the muscle (avoid during pregnancy)
- Neiguan (PC6)：About 2 cun above the midpoint of the wrist crease, between the two tendons
Related meridians
Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin、Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming
When to see a doctor：Persistent numbness in the fingers or night pain that wakes you: this may be carpal tunnel syndrome; see a doctor.