5. Iliacus

Origin: Iliac crest, iliac fossa, ala of the sacrum, and anterior sacroiliac ligaments

Insertion: Lesser trochanter of the femur (via a common tendon with psoas major and minor)

Action:

  • Flexes the thigh
  • Assists in flexing the body on a stable lower leg

Innervation: Femoral nerve (L2/3)

Anterior hip muscles.
Figure 4.15 Iliacus, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Beth Ohara, CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Needling

Position: Supine or side lying

Note: side-lying position allows the abdominal viscera to fall to one side

Palpation: Palpate the iliac crest and make a bracket by hooking your fingers over it

Technique: Standing on the ipsilateral side of the patient, needle between your finger bracket towards the medial aspect of the iliac crest

Caution: High – abdominal contents

Needling iliacus
Figure 4.16 Needling iliacus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 4.5 Needling iliacus, 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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