9. Piriformis

Origin: Anterior surface of the sacrum (approximately S2-S4) and sacrotuberous ligament

Insertion: Superior border of the greater trochanter of the femur

Action:

  • Lateral rotation of the hip when the leg is straight
  • Abduction of the leg when the hip is flexed

Innervation: Anterior rami of S1/S2

Anterior hip muscles.
Figure 2.21 Piriformis, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Beth Ohara, CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the lateral aspect of the sacrum and the greater trochanter

Technique:

    1. Needle towards the lateral aspect of the sacrum
    2. Needle towards the greater trochanter

Caution: Moderate: Avoid the middle 1/3rd of this muscle as the sciatic nerve travels under this portion of the piriformis

Needling of piriformis.
Figure 2.22 Needling of piriformis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling of piriformis.
Figure 2.23 Needling of piriformis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 2.9 Needling of piriformis, 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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