Role of Hot Stone Therapy in Reducing Pain and Improving Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

Shashank; Channabasava; Vinod; Javeriya; Parameshwara M.N.

Role of Hot Stone Therapy in Reducing Pain and Improving Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

Author(s)	Shashank, Channabasava, Vinod, Javeriya, Dr. Parameshwara M.N.
Country	India
Abstract	Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders worldwide and a leading cause of years lived with disability. Conventional pharmacological management carries significant long-term risks, creating a need for safe, non-pharmacological alternatives. Hot stone therapy, a form of thermotherapy using heated basalt stones, is proposed to reduce pain and improve function through combined thermal and mechanical mechanisms. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of hot stone therapy in reducing pain intensity and improving functional disability in individuals with chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods: A single-group, pre–post interventional study was conducted on 10 male participants (mean age 40.4 ± 8.83 years) with CLBP of >3 months duration and baseline VAS ≥4. Hot stone therapy using basalt stones heated to 45–55°C was administered 5 sessions per week for 2–4 weeks (session duration 20–30 min). Pain was assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and functional disability by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests. Results: Mean VAS score decreased significantly from 7.30 ± 2.00 to 2.10 ± 0.74 (mean reduction 5.20 ± 2.57; t = 6.39, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 2.02). Mean ODI score decreased from 67.70 ± 15.51% to 25.00 ± 2.87% (mean reduction 42.70 ± 15.20; t = 8.89, p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 2.81). All participants shifted from moderate/severe/worst-imaginable pain categories into the mild category, and the majority moved from severe/crippled disability categories into moderate or minimal disability. Conclusion: Hot stone therapy produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in pain intensity and functional disability in individuals with chronic low back pain. It appears to be a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological option suitable for integration into naturopathic management protocols. Larger controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
Keywords	Hot stone therapy; chronic low back pain; thermotherapy; Visual Analog Scale; Oswestry Disability Index; naturopathy; basalt stone massage
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-21

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Role of Hot Stone Therapy in Reducing Pain and Improving Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

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