Effect of yogic colon cleansing (Laghu Sankhaprakshalana Kriya) on pain, spinal flexibility, disability and state anxiety in chronic low back pain

Abstract

Background:Studies have shown that Integrated Yoga reduces pain, disability, anxiety and depression and increases spinal flexibility and quality-of-life in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients.Objective:The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two yoga practices namely laghu shankha prakshalana (LSP) kriya, a yogic colon cleansing technique and back pain specific asanas (Back pain special technique [BST]) on pain, disability, spinal flexibility and state anxiety in patients with CLBP.Materials and Methods:In this randomized control (self as control) study, 40 in-patients (25 were males, 15 were females) between 25 and 70 years (44.05 ± 13.27) with CLBP were randomly assigned to receive LSP or BST sessions. The measurements were taken immediately before and after each session of either of the practices (30 min) in the same participant. Randomization was used to decide the day of the session (3rd or 5th day after admission) to ensure random distribution of the hang over effect of the two practices. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures analysis of variance.Results:Significant group * time interaction (P < 0.001) was observed in 11 point numerical rating scale, spinal flexibility (on Leighton type Goniometer) and (straight leg raise test in both legs), Oswestry Disability Index, State Anxiety (XI component of Spieldberger's state and trait anxiety inventory. There was significantly (P < 0.001, between groups) better reduction in LSP than BST group on all variables. No adverse effects were reported by any participant.Conclusion:Clearing the bowel by yoga based colon cleansing technique (LSP) is safe and offers immediate analgesic effect with reduced disability, anxiety and improved spinal flexibility in patients with CLBP.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Pain and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based (MRI-Based) Structural Spine Changes in Low Back Pain Patients After Yoga Practice

“…The absence of a change in flexibility in the present study compared to other studies [ 11 ] could be due to differences in the yoga regimen. The present yoga protocol was developed by an orthopedic surgeon and has been shown to reduce back-related dysfunction using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; the yoga group score was 3.29 points lower than in the control group (0.98, 5.61; p =0.006) [ 29 ].…”

“…These include bridge pose lumbar stretch ( Sethubandhasana breathing), folded leg lumbar stretch ( Supta Udarakarshanasana ), and crossed leg lumbar stretch ( Shavaudrakarshanasana ) [ 30 ]. These particular practices were included in the studies [ 11 , 12 ] that reported an increase in flexibility. The protocol used in the present study was developed by an orthopedic surgeon and was more conservative.…”

“…Another RCT described the benefits of yoga on chronic LBP where the intervention was intensive and short-term (7 days) [ 11 , 12 ]. One of the studies was a randomized controlled single-blind study on 80 patients assigned to yoga and physical exercise groups [ 12 ].…”

Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain

“…We also excluded one study because it compared different doses of yoga (Saper 2013), and one study because it compared different yoga techniques (Haldavnekar 2014). Finally, we excluded six references because they were not original study reports (Graves 2004; Borg-Olivier 2005; Anon 2006; Horng 2006; Anon 2009; Selfridge 2012).…”

Health and therapeutic benefits of Shatkarma: A narrative review of scientific studies

“…Both Yoga sessions were found to beneficial to the patients, but the magnitude of change was higher following the laghu shankha prakshalana session. Thus, laghu shankha prakshalana practice was found to reduce pain, disability, anxiety, and help to increase in flexibility [ 7 ].…”