Background. The purpose of our study was to examine changes in the mobility of the lumbar spine in persons with L5-S1 diskopathy and the changes in mobility associated with different modalities of treatment. Material and methods. We studied 150 persons 40-50 years of age, 64 men and 86 women. Due to variations in management the material was divided into two groups: Group I, treated only pharmacologically, and Group II, treated with both pharmacological methods and physiotherapy. The patients were examined twice, once before treatment and again after 6 weeks of treatment. The research methods included clinical interviews and measurement of thoraco-lumbar and lumbar mobility on all planes. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs were used in Group I. In Group II, comprehensive physiotherapy was also applied, including physicotherapy, kinesitherapy, and massage. Results. Our analysis of the material showed that the limitations in spinal mobility were similar in both groups at baseline. After a 6-week course of treatment, significant improvement in the mobility of the thoraco-lumbar and lumbar spine was noted only in Group II (pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy), involving all the tested ranges of movement. Conclusions. An evaluation of treatment outcome in persons with L5-S1 diskopathy indicates that persons treated both with pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy show greater improvement. The fact that significant improvement was seen only in this group may result from the fact that the drugs used prepared the way for better results in subsequent physiotherapy. These results indicate that pharmacological treatment in these patients should be supplemented with physiotherapy.