5. Semitendinosus

Origin: Ischial tuberosity

Insertion: Anteromedial aspect of the superior tibia (part of the pes anserine group)

Action:

  • Flexes the knee
  • Internal rotation of the knee
  • Extends the hip on a stable lower leg

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

Semitendinosus.
Figure 1.14 Semitendinosus, 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 semitendinosus to be needled

    1. Needle perpendicular towards the semitendinosus or at a slight lateral to medial angle
    2. Alternatively, the therapist can also pick up the bulk of the medial hamstrings to needle

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

Needling semitendinosus.
Figure 1.15 Needling semitendinosus, original image by Nadine Crocker, CC BY-NC 4.0.

Video 1.6 Needling semitendinosus, 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