IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF SHVASA KRIYA ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHY IN NON-SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN PATIENTS - A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health issue, affecting millions and expected to rise substantially by 2050, making it the leading cause of disability worldwide. Chronic LBP is associated with alterations in the nervous system, particularly in the corticostriatal circuitry and mesolimbic brain structures, leading to increased activity in cognitive-emotional areas such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and insula. It also affects heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting changes in cardiac autonomic regulation, and impacts muscle function, which can be assessed using electromyography (EMG). Yoga, specifically pranayama, has been recognized for its benefits in improving physical, psychological, and neurophysiological health. Pranayama enhances breathing patterns, increasing oxygen levels and aiding recovery. This study aims to investigate the impact of Shvasa Kriya, a breathing technique involving body movement, on patients with non-specific chronic lower back pain, hypothesizing that it will lead to improvements in heart rate, muscle function, and coordination.