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Background: The change in the lifestyle of modern man and the related lack of physical activity caused that pain in the spine has become a civilization problem, covering an increasing population regardless of latitude. Degenerative changes of the spine, also in the lumbar region, are the most frequently diagnosed cause of patients' dysfunction. Material and methods: Analysis of available literature, articles in the Google Scholar and PubMed database using keywords: lumbar spine, degenerative changes, dysfunctions Results: Currently, in addition to injuries and mechanical loads, the causes of lumbar spine dysfunction also include abnormal spinal nutritional composition and genetic factors, with the greatest emphasis on genes encoding type 1 collagen. During diagnostics, apart from X-ray imaging, computed tomography and resonance imaging methods should not forget about properly conducted interviews and functional tests. Kinesitherapy assisted by physical treatment methods such as laser therapy or ultrasound should play a major role in rehabilitation. Kinesitherapy should be tailored to the individual patient, and exercises selected so that the patient can also do them at home. Conclusions: In the prevention of degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, there should be a much greater emphasis on patient education related to risk factors or learning ergonomic work. Despite much work on this topic, there is still a need to improve public awareness and further research on prevention.

Laboratory tests are extremely important in patient’s monitoring and/or diagnosing. We described those that are particularly significant for elderly patients, namely: peripheral blood morphology, arterial blood gasometry, cancer markers. The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge about laboratory tests important in geriatrics, as well as draw attention to the diverse use of laboratory tests in clinical practise.

Introduction: Scoliosis is defined as deformation of the spine and torso in three dimensions. Study show that scoliosis affects 68% of healthy individuals over 65 years of age with no low back pain. The aim of this article is to review the available scoliosis rehabilitation methods, including the newest physical rehabilitation trends. Material and methods: Articles in the Google Scholar, Pub Med database have been analysed using keywords: scoliosis, deformation of the spine and torso, modern methods of rehabilitation, older people. Results: After skeletal maturity, curves less than 30°do not progress, however most curves greater than 50°continue to progress with approximate change of 1°per year. Bracing is one of the most popular options of scoliosis treatment. Braces usage aims to slow the progression of the curve. However, complications resulting from the physical changes caused by the compression of the body and/or psychological effects due to the disturbance of the appearance while wearing the brace may occure. The Lehnert-Schroth three-plane corrective breath method principles are: a proper breathing technique where the ribs are used as levers and the breath is directed to the unstretched parts of lungs allowing correction of the curvature of the spine, and secondly activation of non-working muscles on the side of the concave curvature. Nevertheless, surgical procedure is advised for curves greater than 45° in immature patients and greater than 50° in mature patients. Conclusions: Scoliosis, defined as spinal and torso deformity in three planes. 80% of all cases of this postural defect are juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, degenerative scoliosis developed during the patient’s life due to the degeneration of the discs of the spine is frequent in people over the age of 65. It often limits daily functioning and can cause severe pain that requires medical intervention. It has been proven that properly selected systematic rehabilitation may lead to significant improvement in the spinal alignment. Nevertheless, in severe cases surgical treatment may be necessary.

Background: The change in the lifestyle of modern man and the related lack of physical activity caused that pain in the spine has become a civilization problem, covering an increasing population regardless of latitude. Degenerative changes of the spine, also in the lumbar region, are the most frequently diagnosed cause of patients' dysfunction. Material and methods: Analysis of available literature, articles in the Google Scholar and PubMed database using keywords: lumbar spine, degenerative changes, dysfunctions Results: Currently, in addition to injuries and mechanical loads, the causes of lumbar spine dysfunction also include abnormal spinal nutritional composition and genetic factors, with the greatest emphasis on genes encoding type 1 collagen. During diagnostics, apart from X-ray imaging, computed tomography and resonance imaging methods should not forget about properly conducted interviews and functional tests. Kinesitherapy assisted by physical treatment methods such as laser therapy or ultrasound should play a major role in rehabilitation. Kinesitherapy should be tailored to the individual patient, and exercises selected so that the patient can also do them at home. Conclusions: In the prevention of degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, there should be a much greater emphasis on patient education related to risk factors or learning ergonomic work. Despite much work on this topic, there is still a need to improve public awareness and further research on prevention.

Laboratory tests are extremely important in patient’s monitoring and/or diagnosing. We described those that are particularly significant for elderly patients, namely: peripheral blood morphology, arterial blood gasometry, cancer markers. The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge about laboratory tests important in geriatrics, as well as draw attention to the diverse use of laboratory tests in clinical practise.

Introduction: Scoliosis is defined as deformation of the spine and torso in three dimensions. Study show that scoliosis affects 68% of healthy individuals over 65 years of age with no low back pain. The aim of this article is to review the available scoliosis rehabilitation methods, including the newest physical rehabilitation trends. Material and methods: Articles in the Google Scholar, Pub Med database have been analysed using keywords: scoliosis, deformation of the spine and torso, modern methods of rehabilitation, older people. Results: After skeletal maturity, curves less than 30°do not progress, however most curves greater than 50°continue to progress with approximate change of 1°per year. Bracing is one of the most popular options of scoliosis treatment. Braces usage aims to slow the progression of the curve. However, complications resulting from the physical changes caused by the compression of the body and/or psychological effects due to the disturbance of the appearance while wearing the brace may occure. The Lehnert-Schroth three-plane corrective breath method principles are: a proper breathing technique where the ribs are used as levers and the breath is directed to the unstretched parts of lungs allowing correction of the curvature of the spine, and secondly activation of non-working muscles on the side of the concave curvature. Nevertheless, surgical procedure is advised for curves greater than 45° in immature patients and greater than 50° in mature patients. Conclusions: Scoliosis, defined as spinal and torso deformity in three planes. 80% of all cases of this postural defect are juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, degenerative scoliosis developed during the patient’s life due to the degeneration of the discs of the spine is frequent in people over the age of 65. It often limits daily functioning and can cause severe pain that requires medical intervention. It has been proven that properly selected systematic rehabilitation may lead to significant improvement in the spinal alignment. Nevertheless, in severe cases surgical treatment may be necessary.