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What are Erector Spinae Muscles?

N. Freim
N. Freim

They might not get much attention, but the erector spinae muscles are the unsung heroes of the back. These are two groups of muscles which follow the spine and help the abdominals support the entire torso and maintain good posture. The erector spinae muscles are not single large muscles but rather groups of smaller muscles and tendons. There are two groups, one on either side of the spine. The erectors stretch from the tailbone to the top of the rib cage with the individual muscles attaching at various points along the way.

The most important function of the erector spinae muscles is to work with the abdominals to help stabilize the torso. Together the erectors and abdominals form what some athletes call the core or powerhouse of the body. These muscles are essential for good posture while standing or sitting. Good posture uses muscles the way they should be used and helps the whole body function.

Yoga poses like the "triangle" can benefit the erector spinae muscles.
Yoga poses like the "triangle" can benefit the erector spinae muscles.

Lower back injuries and chronic pain are frequently due to problems with the erector spinae muscles. People who spend long hours hunched over keyboards are particularly susceptible to weak erectors and chronic backaches. The muscles can also be easily damaged through improper use, such as lifting heavy objects by bending from the waist, putting too much strain on the back.

The erector spinae muscles support the torso and help maintain good posture.
The erector spinae muscles support the torso and help maintain good posture.

To prevent injury, the lower back should be trained like any other muscle. The best targeted exercise to focus on the area is hyperextensions. These are done most easily on a hyperextension bench by securing the ankles so the body is nearly perpendicular to the floor, lowering the torso to a 45-degree angle, and lifting the torso until straight without arching the back. Squats and dead lifts may also be good training for the lower back, although holding the core steady while lifting any free weights may help.

Lower back pain is often caused by problems with the erector spinae muscles.
Lower back pain is often caused by problems with the erector spinae muscles.

Another way to work on strengthening the erectors is to focus on them as part of a set. Many muscles in the body are designed to work in concert, such as the biceps and triceps or quadriceps and hamstrings. The erector spinae muscles function as a set with the abdominals, so activities which focus on the whole torso can also help. Yoga and Pilates are excellent for conditioning the core because both activities utilize the back and abdominals to keep the body stable and balanced while performing various poses and exercises. Yoga poses such as "camel" or "triangle," or Pilates positions such as "spine stretch forward" can help relieve tightness in the erectors and improve posture.

Discussion Comments

MissDaphne

@jennythelib - Yoga and pilates classes are great, but if you're pressed for time and need an "everything" class, those are becoming more and more common.

My gym, for instance, has a class called "Body Vive" that's a little bit of everything. There is a short aerobics segment and a strength training segment. The strength training includes core strengthening exercises that are sort of yoga/pilates-inspired--set to music, of course.

I really like that class because I do like to get in a good stretch and good back exercises, but I don't really like to do a whole hour of yoga. (Yawn. Just not my cup of tea.)

jennythelib

I second the recommendation to do yoga and/or pilates to stretch and strengthen the back muscles. The nice thing about yoga poses and pilates exercises is that they work muscles as a group; it seems more "real" to me than just doing back extensions.

I've found that keeping up with yoga regularly keeps me from having lower back pain like I used to experience. I'm not sure if it's doing particular poses or just the entire exercise. I know they say that cat-cow is a good one for your back, plus that one where you kneel down and raise one leg and one arm. I also like twist poses - those are supposed to be good erector spinae stretch exercises.

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    • Yoga poses like the "triangle" can benefit the erector spinae muscles.
      By: michaeljung
      Yoga poses like the "triangle" can benefit the erector spinae muscles.
    • The erector spinae muscles support the torso and help maintain good posture.
      By: apops
      The erector spinae muscles support the torso and help maintain good posture.
    • Lower back pain is often caused by problems with the erector spinae muscles.
      By: aceshot
      Lower back pain is often caused by problems with the erector spinae muscles.
    • Each side of the spine has a set of erector spinae muscles, stretching from the tailbone to the top of the rib cage.
      By: freshidea
      Each side of the spine has a set of erector spinae muscles, stretching from the tailbone to the top of the rib cage.
    • The biceps and triceps are designed to work together.
      By: Paul Maguire
      The biceps and triceps are designed to work together.
    • The erector spinae muscles work with the abs to stabilize the torso.
      By: iulianvalentin
      The erector spinae muscles work with the abs to stabilize the torso.
    • The halasana pose is a basic yoga stretch for the back.
      By: W. Heiber Fotostudio
      The halasana pose is a basic yoga stretch for the back.
    • To prevent injury, the lower back should be trained like any other muscle.
      By: Luis Louro
      To prevent injury, the lower back should be trained like any other muscle.