[Spa treatment of sciatic pains at Swieradów]

The authors report therapeutic results obtained in 190 patients with sciatic pains (110 men and 80 women). In 115 cases discopathy was the cause of sciatica, in 75 degenerative vertebral disease was present. The duration of the disease ranged from 6 months to 36 years. Four sets of procedures were used depending on the manifestations of the disease. In evaluation of therapeutic effects the mobility range of the spine, the tone of paravertebral muscles and disappearance of pain were taken into account. Complete improvement was obtained in 76% of cases on the average. It was observed that radon baths had mainly an analgesic effect, peat or paraffin poultices as well as diadynamics were particularly useful in cases with increased tonus of paravertebral muscles. Massage was contraindicated in these cases. Therapeutic exercises were useful in this disease, increasing significantly the mobility range of the spine.