Anterior Pelvic Tilt
The front of the pelvis drops and the lumbar arch deepens.
What this describes
Anterior tilt is the pelvis rotating forward around the hip joints, so the ASIS sits lower than the PSIS and the lumbar curve gets deeper. The reading is an angle, usually taken from a side photo with the ASIS and PSIS both marked, or from a hand sliding into the lumbar gap against a wall. Depth alone is a poor measure — a hand passes under the back in most people, so the number to record is the gap in finger-widths plus the tilt angle.
Three-grade thresholds
| Grade | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Within range | ASIS–PSIS line within 5° of horizontal; lumbar gap fits one flat palm at most. |
| Borderline | Tilt 6–12°, or a gap of 1.5–3 finger-widths that narrows by half when the pelvis is tucked. |
| Deviated | Tilt over 12°, gap over 3 finger-widths, or the gap barely changes when the pelvis is tucked. |
Self-screens for Anterior Pelvic Tilt on this site
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Heel Slide Lumbar Check
Lie on your back, flatten the lower back, and slide one heel away until the back lifts. The distance the heel travels tells you whether the hip can extend without dragging the pelvis with it.
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Wall Lumbar Gap in Finger Widths
Stand against a wall and slide a flat hand under the lower back. The count in finger-widths is the reading — and so is the count after tucking the pelvis.
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ASIS-PSIS Photo Angle
Two points on the pelvis, one side photograph, one angle from horizontal. It is the most direct reading of pelvic tilt available without equipment.