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What is the erector spinae responsible for?

7 min read

Asked by: Rafa Azevedo

The erector spinae muscles lie on each side of the vertebral column and extend alongside the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical sections of the spine. The erector spinae muscles function to straighten the back and provide for side-to-side rotation. An injury or strain to these muscles may cause back spasms and pain.

What are the two actions of the erector spinae muscles?

The two major functions of the erector spinae muscle group are to extend and laterally flex the spine.

What is the function of the erector spinae quizlet?

The erector spinae muscles collectively are used to maintain posture and to stand erect.

Which action do all the erector spinae muscles perform?

All of the erector spinae muscles work bilaterally to extend the spine. Longissimus thoracis and longissimus cervicis also function unilaterally to laterally flex the spine to the same side. Longissimus capitis functions unilaterally to rotate the head to the same side.

When the erector spinae contract which actions occur?

Unilateral (one-sided) contraction of the erector spinae group causes the same side of the body to flex (ipsilateral flexion) or rotate, while bilateral contraction straightens or extends a portion of the spine. Pure erector spinae action is limited to flexion, rotation, and extension.

How do you activate erector spinae?

Right there rotate that upwards as much as possible keep rotating until you feel your lower erectors firing. Now touch the point of your sternum. Right here in the front.

Is the erector spinae a core muscle?

Your erector spinae is a vital part of your core, as it links to your abdominal and oblique muscles, which stabilizes and helps you move your entire upper body. Note: Your erector spinae is also referred to as, sacrospinalis group of muscles, spinal erectors, and most commonly, your lower back muscles.

What muscle extends and rotates the spine?

The multifidus muscles extend and rotate the vertebral column. Moving medially, we can see the multifidus muscles that originate on the sacrum and vertebrae and insert on more superior vertebrae. Due to these attachments, they extend and rotate the vertebral column.

Which of the abdominal muscles is responsible for taking in a breath?

The diaphragm, a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdomen, is the most important muscle used for breathing in (called inhalation or inspiration). The diaphragm is attached to the base of the sternum, the lower parts of the rib cage, and the spine.

What are the attachments of the erector spinae group?

Attachments. Several texts state that the erector spinae muscles have a single, common insertion point of a large broad tendon on the back of the sacrum, the inner side of the iliac crest, sacroiliac ligaments, and lumbosacral spinous processes 25.

What makes erector spinae tight?

The muscles are made up of several smaller muscles, each spanning across a few spinal vertebrae providing stability from the lower back all the way to the top of the neck. When the erector spinae muscles are chronically tight it’s often because of some weakness that has developed in another muscle or muscles.

Which muscles are most responsible for the inspiration phase of normal breathing?

The primary inspiratory muscles are the diaphragm and external intercostals. Relaxed normal expiration is a passive process, happens because of the elastic recoil of the lungs and surface tension.

What causes tight erector spinae?

The most common causes for these symptoms are inflammation, muscle strain, and muscle tear. Additionally, these muscles become tight if you live a sedentary lifestyle and your spinae erector muscles do the work to make up for weak abs, lats, and glutes.

How do you release tension from erector spinae?

Imagine pressing the curve of your neck into the wall your chin should tuck down. And you can imagine a string pulling your head towards the ceiling.

How can I strengthen my erector muscles?

The superman trains the erector spinae as an extensor by having you lift your legs and arms off of the ground by flexing your lower back and then holding this position. Your lower back will have to work to initiate the movement and stabilize to hold the top position isometrically.

How do you stretch a tight erector spinae?

1. Knees to chest

  1. Lie down on your back.
  2. Hug both knees towards your chest.
  3. Keep your legs completely relaxed. Allow the arms to take the full weight of the legs.
  4. Your lower back should be completely flat against the floor.
  5. Aim to feel a stretch in both sides of the lower back.
  6. Hold for 30 seconds.


How do you fix erector spinae pain?

All the way down tuck your chin down to your chest. And similar thing just take some deep breaths in. And on the exhalation. Really see if you can focus on letting the tension relax.

What is the best exercise for erector spinae?

This is especially important for athletes such as powerlifters, which include high-risk movements and lifting stressful amounts of weight.

  1. 7 Best Erector Spinae Exercises. …
  2. Deadlift. …
  3. Good Morning. …
  4. Row. …
  5. Bird Dog. …
  6. Rack Pull. …
  7. Superman. …
  8. Back Extensions.


How long does it take for erector spinae to heal?

Most people with back strains and sprains have a full recovery with treatment within 2 weeks.

What does a strained erector spinae feel like?

More often than not though, an erector spinae strain isn’t felt straight away, making you unaware something has happened. The pain tends to develop during the night when you’ve been in bed sleeping, you get out of bed the next day and the back feels very painful.

How do you know if back pain is muscular or spinal?

The lower back and neck are the most flexible parts of your spine, and they’re also where most herniated discs occur. While pain in your mid-back may be related to a disc, it’s more likely caused by muscle strain or other issues. Your symptoms feel worse when you bend or straighten up from a bent position.

How can you tell the difference between nerve pain and muscle pain?

Different Types of Pain



The pain is typically localized in the muscle itself, and it usually hurts when you use the muscle. You feel fatigued and may have trouble sleeping. Nerve pain is described as crushing, burning, tingling or numbness. It is sharp and you may feel pain on the skin above the nerves as well.

Why is back pain at night a red flag?

Deservingly or not, back pain at night has come to be regarded as an ominous symptom across back care, a potential signal of primary or metastatic cancer. The presence of night pain has crept into some guidelines, diagnostic algorithms, and scholarly reviews as a “red flag” for cancer.

Is it better to sit or lie down with lower back pain?

You should lie down to relieve the pain, but the goal should be not to return to sitting, but rather to regain your ability to stand and move. “The goal isn’t to get into the chair. The goal is to start moving. Walking is better than sitting,” he says.

Why does the bone between my buttocks hurt?

Your tailbone will hurt if it is out of position. If you don’t have enough fat in your buttocks to prevent your coccyx from rubbing against the muscles, ligaments and tendons, that can cause. The rubbing inflames the soft tissues.

Is walking good for lower back pain?

The simple movement of walking is one of the best things we can do for chronic lower back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help ease lower back pain. Substitute this activity for a more vigorous type of exercise if you prefer and/or are able.