Comparison of effectiveness of hotpack and peloidotherapy in patients with chronic lumbar disc hernia

80% of adults suffer from low back pain during their lifetime, mostly from lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of peloid and hotpack in patients diagnosed with chronic LDH. Sixty male and female patients aged between 18-50 years diagnosed with chronic LDH were divided into two groups equally and randomly. During 15 sessions, 30 minutes of peloid and 20 minutes of TENS were applied to the lumbar regions of the patients in Group 1. Hotpack for 20 minutes and TENS for 20 minutes were applied to the waist regions of the patients in Group 2. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measuring pain levels, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODI) for disease-specific functional states, Functional Low Back Pain Outcome Scale (FBAS) to assess loss of function caused by low back pain, and short form (SF-36) to measure quality of life followed up with. In the measurements made before and after the treatment, there was no significant difference between groups in the post-treatment VAS, ODI scales, physical role, social functionality (p>0.05). Post-treatment FBAS and SF-36 questionnaires showed a significant difference between the groups in physical functionality, bodily pain, general health, vitality, emotional role, and mental health after treatment (p<0.05). Compared to the pre-treatment controls, the patients in Group 1 showed improvement in their daily activities and quality of life, which were affected by low back and/or leg complaints, in the post-treatment controls. As a result, peloid can be used safely as an alternative method in chronic LDH. Key Words: Pain, Loss of function, Hotpack, Chronic lumbar disc herniation, Peloid