12. Rectus Abdominis

Origin: Crest of the pubic

Insertion: Costal cartilages of ribs 5-7 and xiphoid process of the sternum

Action: Flexion of lumbar spine

Innervation: Thoracoabdominal nerves T7-T11 and subcostal nerve T12

Muscles of the abdomen anterolateral.
Figure 3.32 Rectus abdominis, by OpenStax College, CC BY 3.0.

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate along near the xiphoid process and down the midline of the abdominal wall

Technique:

    • Needle in an inferior to superior direction towards costal margin in the midline – Use the costal margin as a backdrop
    • Needle shallowly in midline of abdomen, approximately 1 cun in depth

Caution: High – do not needle too deeply as the abdominal viscera lies directly beneath this

Needling rectus abdominus.
Figure 3.33 Needling rectus abdominis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 3.12 Needling of rectus abdominis, 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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