Abstract:

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is the most common health concern worldwide, frequently restricting daily activities and diminishing quality of life. Chronic LBP is usually attributed to sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and extended sitting, and often fails to provide enduring relief through traditional treatments, despite its prevalence. This study examined whether a short-term, integrative approach involving alignment-focused yoga practices and self-mobilisation of Kukundara Marma (an Ayurvedic vital point corresponding to the sacroiliac joint) could offer meaningful improvement.

Methods: The study included 28 adults from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, who had been suffering from non-radiating low back pain for more than three months. After enrolment, 26 participants completed the full 14-day intervention. Each day, they received an individualised session combining alignment-based yoga and gentle Kukundara Marma mobilisation. This practice aimed to improve posture, core stability, and reduce tension in the lower back. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to quantify pain levels, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure functional abilities. Data analysis was conducted with Jamovi software.

Results: Participants averaged 48 years old and were mainly females. After two weeks, pain levels dropped significantly (median VAS from 6 to 2), and disability scores improved (ODI from 26.3% to 11.9%), with statistically significant results (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Combining yoga with Marma-based therapy yielded excellent results in pain and mobility. This integrative, low-cost, and non-invasive approach shows promise as a supportive addition to conventional care. Further research is needed through larger, controlled trials to understand its long-term benefits and potential for wider clinical use.

Keywords:

Low Back Pain, Alignment-Oriented Yoga, Kukundara Marma, Marma Therapy, Functional Disability Index

Aim/Objectives

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