10. Occipitalis

Origin: Superior nuchal line of the occiput and mastoid process of the temporal bone

Insertion: Galea aponeurotica

Action: Retracts the scalp

Innervation: Occipital nerves (C2/3)

Occipitalis.
Figure 1.25 Occipitalis, adapted by Uwe Gille, from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the posterior nuchal lines (superior and inferior)

Technique: Needle around the superior nuchal line directly perpendicular to the occiput using the occiput as a bony backdrop

Caution: High – brain stem is vulnerable as it exits the foramen magnum. Caution not to needle inferior to the occiput

Needling occipitalis.
Figure 1.26 Needling occipitalis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 1.15 Needling occipitalis, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

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Sinew Channel Needling Copyright © 2026 by Nadine Crocker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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