6. Semimembranosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity

Insertion: Posterior surface of medial tibial condyle

Action:

  • Flexes the knee
  • Internal rotation of the knee

Innervation: Tibial division of the Sciatic nerve (L5/S1/S2)

Semimembranosus.
Figure 1.16 Semimembranosus, adapted by Mikael Häggström from the original image by Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter (Public domain).

Needling

Position: Prone

Palpation: Palpate the medial hamstrings by asking the patient to resist knee flexion in prone

Technique: Therapist stands on the ipsilateral side of the semimembranosus to be needled – Needle perpendicular towards the semimembranosus or at a slight lateral to medial angle

Caution: Low – avoid the sciatic nerve in the midline of the posterior thigh

Needling semimembranosus.
Figure 1.17 Needling semimembranosus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 1.7 Needling semimembranosus, 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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