Possibilities of physiotherapy for quality of life improvement in lumbar disc herniation patients

Lumbar disc herniation predominantly affects people at working age and represents a therapeutic and economic challenge. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect on pain intensity and individual quality of life in lumbar disc herniation patients of individualized physiotherapy, with or without kinesitherapy. The investigation covered 52 consecutive patients with lumbar disc herniation, 32 females and 20 males, who were treated in the Unit of Physiotherapy, St. Marina Diagnostic and Consulting Centre of Varna during the period between July 13, 2020 and October 31, 2020, inclusive. Thirty-four patients were diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and 18—by means of computed tomography scan. A complex of physiotherapeutic procedures, such as interference current, low-frequency impulse magnetic field, and iontophoresis with paravertebrally applied non-steroid antiinflammatory gel, was independently administered in 29 patients and in combination with kinesitherapy such as therapeutic manipulation massage after J. C. Terrier, technique of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, and the R. McKenzie method—in 23 patients. A significant reduction of lower back pain intensity as assessed using the visual analogues scale and improvement of the parameters of patients’ individual quality of life according to the scores of disability questionnaire of Roland-Morris was achieved.