6. Gracilis

Origin: Body and inferior ramus of the pubis

Insertion: Superior medial aspect of the tibia

Action:

  • Adducts the thigh
  • Flexes the knee
  • Assists in medial rotation of the leg

Innervation: Obturator nerve (L2/3)

Anterior hip muscles.
Figure 5.14 Gracilis, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Beth Ohara, CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Needling

Position: Supine with patient’s knee supported by a bolster or the therapist’s knee

Palpation: Palpate the medial thigh and resist adduction with an extended knee to help isolate this muscle

Technique:

    1. Pick up the muscle in a pincher grip and needle superior to inferior

Caution: Low

Needling gracilis.
Figure 5.15 Needling gracilis, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 5.7 Needling gracilis, 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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