INFLUENCE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY AND BALNEOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL DISC DISEASE

Abstract

Chronic spinal disc disease has a large socioeconomic impact on the health care system. A lot of researchers confirm that physiotherapy (PT) is an effective choice of treatment for many patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the combined effect of physiotherapy and balneotherapy the treatment of lumbar disc disease and to compare the results with those obtained only after physio-therapy. Twenty patients with lumbar disc disease in the chronic period, divided into two groups – experimental and control were studied. The experimental group did exercises in a thermal mineral pool and underwent a general PT program for ten days, while the control group had only general PT program for ten days. The general PT program was the same for both groups. Before and after the treatment the Schober test and the static part of the Kraus-Weber test were conducted. We revealed significant positive changes in the lumbar flexibility, endurance and strength of the back muscles, mm. glutei, abdominal muscles and the hip flexors among the patients from the experimental group, objectified by the increased time to perform the static test positions of Kraus-Weber Test and Schober test. We recommend our program with PT and balneotherapy as appropriate when dealing with patients with chronic lumbar spine disease in balneological resorts and SPA hotels.

Keywords

• aquatic exercises
• mineral pool
• lumbar disc disease