What aspect of the lumbar spine are you evaluating by looking at it from the side?

Evaluating the lumbar spine from the side primarily involves assessing the presence of excessive flexion or flatness. This perspective allows one to observe the natural curvature of the lumbar region and determine if there is an abnormal increase in flexion (which might manifest as excessive rounding) or a deviation from the normal lordotic curve (which may appear as a flat back). Recognizing these patterns is crucial for identifying potential postural imbalances or dysfunctions that could affect overall spinal health and body mechanics.

The curvature of the spine is indeed important, but the question narrows down specifically to what can be visually assessed from a lateral view rather than general curvature. Alignment with the shoulders and muscle tension in the back may be relevant considerations, but they do not specifically focus on the characteristic issues of flexion or flattening that are prominently evident when viewing the lumbar spine from the side. Thus, the evaluation of excessive flexion or flatness captures the essence of assessing the lumbar spine in that particular view.