Minimally invasive methods of treatment in the system of integra- tive medicine for vertebrogenic pain

Objective. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of epidural pharmacotherapy and epidural laser therapy of dorsalgia. Material and Methods. Sixty patients with dorsalgia (Group A) were treated using epidural pharmacotherapy with non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs, and 20 patients (Group B) – using epidural laser therapy with apparatus of low-intensity laser radiation. Results. In both groups, epidural therapy resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) improvement. Positive results were noted including a decrease in the severity of motor, sensory and vegetative-trophic disorders, ranging from minor changes in the pain character and in the area over which sensitivity disorders and paresthesias spread to complete regression of dorsalgia manifestations. However, clinical and neurological examination at discharge showed more significant improvement in Group A patients. Conclusion. Positive results and absence of negative consequences allow recommending epidural therapy of dorsalgia for wide use in public health practice.