Erector spinae

Looks like

Three long columns of muscle running the whole length of the back either side of the spine.

What it does

Straighten the trunk and hold you upright against gravity all day.

Keeping it well

Strength work and variety of movement; they spasm after a sudden twist and settle with gentle activity.

Its parts

• Iliocostalis cervicis
• Iliocostalis lumborum
• Iliocostalis thoracis
• Longissimus capitis
• Longissimus cervicis
• Longissimus thoracis
• Spinalis
• Spinalis thoracis
• Spinalis capitis muscle

Related conditions

• Botulism
• Fibromyalgia
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Heat exhaustion & heatstroke
• Malnutrition & refeeding syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Non-specific low back pain
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Sarcoma
• Sarcopenia
• Scoliosis
• Tetanus