Swayback or hyperlordosis is an abnormal excessive front-to-back curvature of the Lumbar Spine and is one of the most common causes of Lower Back Pain. Swayback is fundamentally a postural and developmental problem that develops over a period of time rather than a condition that happens overnight. Hyperlordosis can be caused by anything that causes the pelvis to rotate forward, such as a protruding abdomen, (pregnancy, and obesity) or with wearing high healed shoes. Other causes are resultant from muscular imbalance, weak abdominal muscles and tight low back muscles, tight hip flexor muscles and weak gluteal and hamstring muscles, this is known as the “Lower Crossed Syndrome”

The improperly positioned lumbar spine due to Hyperlordosis results in unbalanced, uneven, and abnormal weight bearing load upon the Lumbar Vertebrae and the Intervertebral Discs, which could result in nerve impingement and/or Sciatica. The excessive curve also results in incorrect Lumbar Facet Joint movement which can turn into a Lumbar Facet Syndrome. Additional Pain symptoms over time would be a result of degeneration of the facet joints and intervertebral discs, and development of Osteophytes (Bone Spurs, arthritis) that would have an effect upon nerve roots in the Lumbar area. In either case the pain could be localized, radiating, or Radicular (pain down the leg) in nature.

When Hyperordosis occurs, the resultant excessive soft tissue loading as well as reduced circulation also causes Lower Back Pain. Reduced circulation results in the inability to move waste products out of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue, as well as impeding the flow of nutrients into cell structures. Significantly reduced circulation can result in Ischemia (lack of Blood Flow), Myofascial Pain Syndrome or Trigger Points.