INFLUENCE OF TECHIRGHIOL SPECIFIC CLIMATE AND PELOIDOTHERAPY ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH LOW BACK PAIN

Balneotherapy represents an important medical treatment not only for chronic musculoskeletal diseases but for other pathologies, also. The effect of balneotherapy is the result of mechanical, thermal and chemical actions of the natural factors used for treatment. These natural factors are unique in the case of Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol and are based on the salty water of Techirghiol Lake and its sapropelic mud. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the quality of life of patients with degenerative low back pain is improved after performing balneal treatment. We evaluated 48 patients diagnosed with degenerative low back pain, admitted to Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol for a two-week period. The patient's quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36), and this questionnaire was completed by patients before and after two weeks of treatment. All the patients performed cold mud baths at the shore of the Techirghiol Lake. We discovered statistically significant differences between the values of the questionnaire at admission and at discharge (p < 0.001). Our study has proved the improvement of quality of life of patients with degenerative low back pain who performed balneotherapy treatments in Techirghiol Rehabilitation Sanatorium.