Conservative treatment of a herniated disc at Széchenyi Thermal Bath – a successful case study

A CT scan performed two years earlier confirmed a herniated disc. The neurosurgeon did not recommend surgery at this stage, and the patient was referred to Széchenyi Thermal Bath for conservative treatment.

In cases of musculoskeletal complaints, a detailed medical history and thorough physical examination are essential to gain a full picture of the patient’s condition. The symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic results must all be evaluated together to determine the appropriate course of treatment.

Because humans stand upright, the spine—especially the lower lumbar region—is constantly exposed to gravitational pressure. The greatest load affects the disc between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, which is further increased by prolonged sitting or heavy physical work. Poor posture—such as sitting with a rounded back—alters the natural curvature of the lumbar spine, leading to reduced disc hydration and eventual disc flattening. When and how these changes become symptomatic varies widely between individuals.

At our Medical Spa, our priority is to ensure that persistent or recurring pain does not limit our patients’ daily lives. In this case, we achieved this goal with the following treatments:

The foundation of the therapy was physiotherapy, during which our physiotherapist designed a personalised exercise programme tailored to the patient’s current condition. The success of the treatment depends on the proper combination of therapies. A special treatment for disc disorders is the weight bath, a traction-based underwater therapy that the patient particularly enjoyed. The gentle traction relaxes the spinal musculature and ligaments, reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs, and helps the herniated portion retract toward its natural position, thereby relieving pressure on the nerve roots.

A key element of the healing process was the therapeutic thermal sitting bath, where the pleasantly warm water, hydrostatic pressure, and buoyancy activate physiological processes that improve circulation and metabolism—even in deeper tissues. Group underwater physiotherapy provided another type of beneficial load for the musculoskeletal system, complementing the effects of dry-land exercises.

To relieve tension in the lower back muscles, the patient received ultrasound therapy, and medical therapeutic massage—one of the most common and effective treatments—was also an integral part of the therapy plan.

The patient completed a 15-day therapeutic programme. By the end of the course, significant improvement was observed: the previously daily pain had markedly decreased, sleep became more restful, and pain medication was no longer needed. As a result of the treatment, the patient’s overall well-being, quality of life, and vitality improved substantially, and he left highly satisfied.