7. Adductor Magnus

Origin:

  • Adductor portion: Inferior ramus of the pubis and ramus of the ischium
  • Hamstring portion: Ischial tuberosity

Insertion:

  • Adductor portion: Gluteal tuberosity, linea aspera, and medial supracondylar ridge
  • Hamstring portion: Adductor tubercle of the femur

Action:

  • Adductor portion: Adducts the thigh and helps stabilize the hip
  • Hamstring portion: Assists with hip extension

Innervation:

  • Adductor portion: Obturator nerve (L2/3/4)
  • Hamstring portion: Tibial division of the sciatic nerve (L4)
Anterior hip muscles.
Figure 5.16 Adductor magus, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Beth Ohara, CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the medial posterior aspect of the thigh

Technique:

1. Make a shelf by compressing the adductor magus on the medial aspect of the thigh and needle perpendicularly in a posterior to anterior direction

2. Pick up this muscle in a pincher-type grip and needled in a similar fashion as above

Caution: Moderate – The femoral artery and vein passes through this muscle through the adductor hiatus and canal to exit posteriorly becoming the popliteal artery and vein (Needling in the proximal 1/3 of this muscle avoids these structures)

Needling adductor magnus making a shelf.
Figure 5.17 Needling adductor magnus making a shelf, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.
Needling adductor magnus with pincher grip.
Figure 5.18 Needling adductor magnus with pincher grip, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 5.8 Needling adductor magnus, original video by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

None of these muscles in this last section of the sinew channel are taught

Note: There are specific needling techniques for pelvic health that will include levator ani, but these are not covered here

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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