100 patients with sciatica or lumbosacral pain, divided into two groups, were given standard treatment: drugs and physiotherapy, and manual examination twice a week. In one group manual treatment was also applied to all parts of the spine with blockage and to reversible soft tissue changes. In that group the time of treatment was shorter and the improvement was more marked (six signs and symptoms were assessed on a 0 to 3 point scale). A comparison of the two groups six months after discharge showed a better state of the nervous and motor systems and greater ability to continue professional employment in the group of patients given manual treatment. In this group, in addition, the percentage of those pensioned off for disability was lower. All differences were statistically highly significant.

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