Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back, neck, and hip pain, collectively known as musculoskeletal disorders, are some of the major reasons for disability and socio-economic burden across the globe.[1], [2], [3] Chronic inflammation, posture, obesity, mental health disorders, trauma, injury, lack of physical activity, age, diet etc are attributed to be responsible for the incidence and progression of musculoskeletal disorders.[4]This multi-dimensional nature of musculoskeletal disorders makes their management a complex and challenging process.

The common management strategies for musculoskeletal disorders include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, surgery, and rehabilitation.[4]However, these approaches are often criticized as reductionist, as they ignore the relativity among the multiple dimensions of health, such as physical, emotional, social, and psychological constructs.[5]Reports on the management of musculoskeletal disorders therefore call for pragmatic multidisciplinary approaches that are holistic, patient-centric, and intended to bring about changes in the patient’s behavior.[6]

Numerous mind body interventions like yoga, acupuncture, chiropractice, herbal remedies, physical therapy, probiotics, multivitamin supplementation, diet supplementation, etc. are used in the management of musculoskeletal disorders.[7] Even though these therapies are deemed beneficial, they are mostly used as an adjuvant or an alternative therapy to conventional management.Hughey et al.'s recent report advocates for a cultural shift in musculoskeletal management strategies that includes mindfulness, exercise, diet, and sleep as a comprehensive strategy to close the gap in current disease care models.[8]

Yoga and naturopathy is one of the official indigenous systems of medicine in India, which uses a holistic, patient centric approach to heal diseases.[9]Reports suggest the usefulness of integrated yoga and naturopathy therapies in the management of osteoarthritis,[10]rheumatoid arthritis,[11]backache,[12] and other pain conditions.[13]Even though these reports are encouraging, all these studies used a similar therapy-centric approach as opposed to the original holistic approach that is usually followed in Indian yoga and naturopathy settings. Therefore, the present study explored the role of a 10-day holistic, person-centric yoga &naturopathy based lifestyle intervention model (HOPE-YN) in improving musculoskeletal system-related quality of life, vitality, strength, flexibility, relieving pain, and enhancing patient satisfaction.