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Abstract
Background: The integration of yoga into physical therapy is gaining global attention due to its potential benefits in improving flexibility, pain management, and overall functional outcomes. However, in Pakistan, the adoption of yoga within physiotherapy practice remains limited and is influenced by cultural perceptions, professional awareness, and institutional support.
Objective: Yoga is a holistic mind-to-body practice that benefits physical and psychological health. This study investigated the factors that influence the integration of yoga into physiotherapy practice in Pakistan, exploring educational, cultural, and organizational elements.
Methodology: A single-case qualitative study design was employed. Purposive sampling was used to recruit eight male physiotherapists from various tertiary and secondary healthcare institutions in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Data was gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom and WhatsApp. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Clarke and Braun’s (2006) thematic analysis approach.
Results: Five key themes emerged: Curriculum and Training Gaps, Therapist and Patient Altitudes, Cultural and Religious Context, Organizational Support and Infrastructure, and Perceived Benefits and Clinical Relevance. Physiotherapists reported limited formal education and lack of certifications as major barriers. Cultural misconceptions and religious concerns affect acceptance, particularly among communities with lower education levels. However, physiotherapists recognized yoga’s physical and psychological advantages, which enhanced their motivation to incorporate it.
Conclusion: The integration of yoga into physiotherapy practice in Pakistan is influenced by a combination of educational, altitudinal, cultural, and organizational factors. Strengthening professional training, addressing cultural considerations, and establishing supportive institutional policies may enable safe, effective, and culturally appropriate incorporation of yoga in clinical seedlings.