What are the different types of lateral shifts?

October 1, 2025 •

2 min read

According to research, a significant number of individuals experiencing low back pain will also exhibit a lateral shift, or lumbar list. Understanding what are the different types of lateral shifts? is a critical step towards properly diagnosing and effectively treating this often painful postural abnormality.

Quick Summary

A lateral shift is a protective spinal movement that causes the trunk to visually displace relative to the hips, often in response to back pain. The main types are contralateral (shifting away from the pain), ipsilateral (shifting toward the pain), and a less common alternating variation.

Key Points

Protective Posture: A lateral shift is an involuntary protective response by the body, where the trunk shifts away from or towards a painful area in the lower back, often due to disc-related issues.
Contralateral Shift: This is the most common type, where the body shifts away from the painful side. It is often linked to a disc protrusion and tends to respond well to treatment.
Ipsilateral Shift: A less common type, involving a shift towards the painful side.
Diagnosis is Key: A physical therapist can use methods like the McKenzie Method to assess the shift and symptoms.
Correction and Exercises: Treatment typically involves correcting the shift and performing specific exercises.
Address the Root Cause: Effective treatment addresses the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.

What Exactly Is a Lateral Shift?

A lateral shift, also known as a lumbar list or acute scoliosis, is a protective postural response where the spine visibly displaces to the side. It is a symptom, often indicating an underlying issue, frequently related to disc problems. The shift occurs as the body attempts to alleviate pressure on an injured area, such as a nerve root or bulging disc. While potentially offering temporary pain relief, it does not resolve the underlying cause and requires treatment.

The Different Types of Lateral Shifts

Lateral shifts are categorized by the direction of the trunk's shift relative to the side of the pain. The primary types are contralateral, ipsilateral, and alternating shifts. More detailed information on these types is available from {Link: Mike Reinold mikereinold.com}

Comparison of Lateral Shift Types


Feature	Contralateral Shift	Ipsilateral Shift	Alternating Shift
Direction of Shift	Away from the painful side.	Towards the painful side.	Can change sides with movement.
Frequency	Most common type.	Less common.	Rare.
Potential Cause	Disc herniation/protrusion lateral to a nerve root.	Possible broad annular defect or different disc pathology.	Small, centrally-located disc protrusion.
Treatment Response	Often responds well to manual correction and exercises.	Can be more challenging to treat.	Conservative treatment effectiveness is less understood due to rarity.

Common Causes of Lateral Shifts

Lateral shifts are primarily linked to underlying disc pathology, where the body adopts the posture to reduce pain and pressure. Causes can include disc herniation or protrusion, muscle spasm, or less commonly, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, or movement of a surgical implant.

Diagnosis and Management of Lateral Shifts

Diagnosis typically involves assessment by a healthcare professional, often a physical therapist. Methods like the McKenzie Method (MDT) may be used to observe how movement affects the shift. Treatment often starts with manual correction by a therapist if needed, followed by specific exercises and core/stability work to help maintain correction. It's worth noting that an uncorrected shift can become chronic. Additional details on diagnosis and management are available from {Link: Mike Reinold mikereinold.com}.

Conclusion

Lateral shifts are a protective physical response, frequently associated with low back pain and disc problems. Understanding what are the different types of lateral shifts? – contralateral, ipsilateral, and alternating – helps clinicians identify the underlying mechanical issue. Accurate diagnosis, often through methods like the McKenzie Method, is crucial for guiding appropriate treatment, which typically involves manual correction and targeted exercises. While often painful, most lateral shifts can be effectively managed with conservative treatment like physical therapy. Seeking professional diagnosis is recommended to determine the cause and the safest, most effective treatment. A comprehensive approach ensures both symptoms and the root cause are addressed. More detailed information on treatment protocols and the McKenzie Method is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

A lateral shift is a noticeable sideways displacement of the trunk relative to the pelvis. It is a protective mechanism in response to pain, often caused by a disc herniation or nerve irritation.

The most common cause is an underlying disc problem in the lumbar spine. Muscle spasms or other spinal issues can also contribute.

Correction is often achieved through physical therapy, potentially involving manual correction by a therapist and specific patient exercises like side-gliding movements.

No, lateral shifts are classified into types based on their direction relative to the painful side: contralateral (away from pain), ipsilateral (towards pain), and alternating.

While often painful, a lateral shift is typically a protective symptom, not an emergency, unless accompanied by 'red flag' symptoms like loss of bowel/bladder control or significant weakness.

Some self-correction exercises might help, but professional assessment by a healthcare provider is always recommended for proper diagnosis and treatment guidance.

The McKenzie Method (MDT) is a system for assessing and treating lateral shifts. It involves evaluating the shift's response to repeated movements to guide manual correction and specific exercises.

Recovery time varies based on the cause and individual. Acute shifts may improve in days or weeks with therapy, while unaddressed shifts can become chronic.