title: [Balneotherapy in the treatment of subjective symptoms of lumbar syndrome].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic low back pain is a degenerative rheumatic disease and is characterized by various symptoms and clinical signs.
  Balneotherapy represents a therapy by various hot or warm baths in natural mineral waters of specific physical and chemical characteristics. When used externally, they have mechanical, chemical and thermic effects. Balneotherapy of lumbar syndrome includes: individual baths, swimming in the pool, hydrokinesitherapy, underwater massage, underwater extension, mud therapy, mud baths. The therapy should be closely monitored for optimal efficacy and it is necessary to examine: functional status of the lumbosacral region, general functional status (level of activity), lower extremities, pain measurement, use of non-steroid antirheumatic and analgesic agents. In order to follow-up the effects of therapy and establish the prognosis it is important to perform: detailed anamnesis, anthropometric measurements, socio-epidemiological research, clinical examinations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lumbar syndrome is usually caused by a degenerative disease of the spinal column. More than 25% of people under 45 years of age are unable to work due to chronic low back pain. That is why preventive measures, prompt diagnosis and adequate therapy are of utmost importance.
authors.affiliation: Fizikalna medicina i rehabilitacija Medicinski fakultet, Novi Sad.
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Batsialou
mesh_terms: D001452:Balneology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Mogućnosti balneoterapijskog lecenja subjektivnih simptoma lumbalnog sindroma.