Herniated lumbar disc treated with Global Postural Reeducation. A middle-term evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc (HLID) is a pathological condition frequently seen in rehabilitation medicine that is characterized by the compression of one or more nerve roots.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the effects of Global Postural Reeducation on function and pain in patients with herniated disc at levels L4-L5 and/or L5-S1.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive subjects were treated with Global Postural Reeducation. Before treatment, patients reported median average pain duration of 180 days. At the beginning of treatment and on days 15, 45, 120, and 180, all completed the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.

RESULTS: The median value of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale score decreased from 49 points at baseline to 22 points at 45 days. Moreover, the median Numeric Pain Rating Scale score decreased from 6 points at baseline to 2 points at 45 days.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that Global Postural Reeducation is suitable for the conservative management of HLID. Moreover, patients gained a therapeutic benefit from being active participants in their recovery.