Abstract

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe trunk symmetry patterns via an analysis of changes in the position of selected anthropometric points and tracing these changes in time relative to type of treatment. Material and methods. The study enrolled 150 people aged 40-50 diagnosed with a chronic spinal pain syndrome inthe course of L5-S1 discopathy. The patients were divided into two groups corresponding to different treatments used. Patients in each group were further divided with respect to the direction of the hemia of the nucleus pulpous. Examinations were carried out twice: before starting treatment and after 6 weeks. Results. The degree of asymmetry in the frontal plane was similar between the study groups. Asymmetry occurred in a considerable percentage of the patients in both groups. Conclusions. Greater improvement of the asymmetry was noted in the patients receiving combination treatment, which may indicate a need for combining physiotherapy with pharmacological treatment in the treatment of discopathy. A complete cure is difficult to obtain in lumbar discopathy patients following a 6-week treatment. Long-term thearpy is needed as well as broadly understood prophylaxis to prevent recurrence of symptoms.

Key words:

discopathy, Moire Topography, physical therapy, kinesitherapy, massage