Table 2.

Clinical features of flexion pattern (FP), active extension pattern (AEP) and passive extension pattern (PEP).

Pattern	Features
FP	Flat lumbar spine with loss of lumbar curvature (hypolordosis)
	Pain exacerbated by movements/postures involving excessive lumbar flexion
	Pain provoking activities tend to include flexion-based postures/movements (e.g. prolonged sitting, bending, driving, lifting)
	Pain easing activities tend to include extension-based postures/movements (bending spine backwards)
AEP	Actively adopted extended lumbar spine with excessive lumbar curvature (hyperlordosis)
	Pain exacerbated by movement/postures involving active lumbar extension
	Pain provoking activities tend to include extension-based postures/movements (e.g. prolonged standing, walking, supported lordosis sitting)
	Pain eased by movement/postures involving lumbar flexion (e.g. bending forwards)
PEP	Passively adopted extended lumbar spine with excessive lumbar curvature (hyperlordosis) resulting from anterior pelvic sway and posterior trunk shift
	Pain exacerbated by movement/postures involving passive lumbar extension
	Pain provoking activities tend to include extension-based passively adopted postures (e.g. sway standing, walking)
	Pain eased by movement/postures involving lumbar flexion (e.g. bending forwards)