A three-stage concept of spine pathology treatment - a different perspective

Spinal pathologies develop in patients of all ages and may have various underlying factors. These factors include, among others, myofascial pain syndromes, disc herniation and spinal degeneration. Treatment alone, both causal and symptomatic, is not always sufficient in certain situations. The aim of this paper is to discuss the question of comprehensive treatment of spine pathologies focusing on a three-stage treatment concept. An important aspect is to determine the risk factors and their reduction, or at least modification, i.e. the first stage of the discussed treatment concept. Then, medical treatment aimed at a specific pathology, including both conservative and surgical methods, allows the cause of the pathology to be removed, i.e. the second stage of the discussed concept. And finally, timely and specialized, broadly understood rehabilitation allowing to maintain the effect of medical therapy. The implemented rehabilitation can be considered as the third stage of the discussed treatment concept.