Methods

This prospective single-blind, randomised, controlled trial compares two active exercise programmes for patients with severe sciatica. In the county of Funen, patients are referred by general practitioners, rheumatologists or chiropractors to a state funded regional facility ‘Back Center Funen’ for specialty care. The two treatment arms proposed are identical except for the exercise regimens; both groups received thorough information (anatomy of the spine, the pathogenesis of a herniated disc and the natural healing process); a special emphasis was made on the positive prognosis of sciatica. The exercise regimens differed; …