6. Psoas Major & Minor

Origin: Lateral aspect of the T12-L5 vertebral bodies and their discs along with the TVP of L1-L5

Insertion: Lesser trochanter

Action:

  • Hip flexion
  • Flexes the body on a stable lower leg

Innervation: Femoral nerve (L1/2/3)

Psoas major.
Figure 4.17 Psoas major, adapted by Michael Gasperl from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).
Musculus psoas minor.
Figure 4.18 Psoas minor, adapted by Bemoeial from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Supine

Palpation: Palpate for the femoral artery

Technique: Needle laterally to the femoral artery aiming for the lesser trochanter

Caution: High – the femoral nerve lies directly medial to this muscle

Needling psoas major and minor.
Figure 4.19 Needling psoas major and minor, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 4.6 Needling psoas major and minor, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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

Share This Book