Pennsylvania State (IINA) : The repetitive physical movements of Muslim prayer (Salat) rituals can reduce chances of lower back pain if performed correctly, a new study has claimed.

The paper, entitled “An ergonomic study of body motions during Muslim prayer using digital human modeling”, was published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

The study found that not only does quiet prayer eliminate physical anxiety, but that proper knee and back angles can be an effective clinical treatment, The Independent British Newspaper reported. “One way to think about the movements is that they are similar to those of yoga or physical therapy intervention exercises used to treat low back pain,” said Professor Mohammad Khasawneh from Binghamton University in the US.

The research used computer-generated human models from different worlds men and women to look at the effect on lower back pain. The kneeling posture, known as sujud, apparently increases the elasticity of joints. The team did not, however, look at how different prayer rituals for physically disabled people will affect back pain.

“Physical health is influenced by socio-economic, lifestyle and religious factors,” added Khasawneh. “Prayer can eliminate physical stress and anxiety, while there is also research that indicates prayer rituals can be considered an effective clinical treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction.”