Acute Effects of Combined Massage Therapy and Sun Salutation Yoga on Pain Reduction and Range Of Motion in Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Abstract: Globalization has changed people's physical activity patterns, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, including nonspecific low back pain (LBP) that often occurs due to less ergonomic postures and sedentary lifestyles. LBP can lead to decreased functional activity and quality of life. Various therapeutic methods have been developed to treat this condition, one of which is a combination of masage therapy and Sun Salutation Yoga. This study aims to test the effectiveness of the combination of these therapies in reducing pain and increasing Range of Motion (ROM) in patients with nonspecific LBP. Using a pre-experimental design with One Group Pretest-Posttest Design, this study involved 33 participants at Kasihan II Health Center, Bantul, Yogyakarta, during November 2024 - January 2025. Pain was measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while ROM was assessed using Modified Schober Test. The intervention consisted of 20 minutes of massage therapy and 20 minutes of Sun Salutation Yoga before the posttest measurement. The results showed a significant reduction in pain with p < 0.05, where the majority of participants experienced a reduction in acute pain by 55.71%. In addition, ROM increased by 19.35%, demonstrating the effectiveness of this combination of therapies in improving lumbar flexibility. Statistical analysis using MANOVA confirmed that this combination of therapies had a significant impact on pain reduction and ROM improvement. The conclusion of this study confirms that masage therapy and Sun Salutation Yoga can be an effective alternative nonpharmacological therapy for patients with nonspecific LBP. Practically, the results of this study can be adopted in physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices to reduce the incidence of LBP due to less ergonomic work postures. Keywords: nonspecific low back pain, massage therapy, sun salutation yoga