IMPACT OF YOGA THERAPY AND ACUPRESSURE ON PSYCHO PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIABLES AMONG YOUNG INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES WITH LOWER BACK PAIN WITH VARIABLE BODY MASS INDEX AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Abstract

One of the most significant occupational health issues in the industrial workers is the lower back pain (LBP), and this arises as a result of repetitive strain, long postures, and inappropriate physical conditioning. The proposed research aims to determine the effects of the use of Yoga Therapy and Yoga Therapy + Acupressure on Body Mass Index (BMI) and Adjustment of Physical Exercise in young industrial workers with LBP. The study was a randomized group experimental one, with a sample population of 180 male employees of the Engine Factory Avadi (EFA) in Chennai and was performed under three groups: Group A (Yoga Therapy), Group B (Yoga Therapy + Acupressure), and Group C (Control). The course was 12 weeks long, with the structured yoga sessions taking place five days in a week. Measuring BMI and Adjustment of Physical Exercise was done before and after the intervention with the help of standardized instruments. Results indicated that there were pronounced changes in the BMI among all groups with the best changes being recorded in Group B. Equally, the Adjustment scores had been boosted significantly across the groups although Group B recorded the greatest improvement. Significant within-group improvements were found as were paired t-tests, but positive psychological and behavioural changes, particularly to the combined intervention, were implied by the effect size analysis. The between-group differences were not statistically significant although the trends were in favour of the yoga and acupressure combination. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of yoga acupressure in integrating the physiological and behavioural outcomes of workers with LBP in the industrial setting. The results substantiate the use of holistic and non invasive wellness programmes in occupational health.