Kati Basti: Back Pain Management

Kati Basti is an Ayurvedic therapy popularly used to treat back pain and related issues. Back pain has become one of the most common problems – it can be caused by ageing, bad sitting posture, diet, or excessive hours hunched over the smartphone. While painkillers or surgery may provide quick relief, Kati Bati is favoured by many as it is a more natural solution.

Meaning of Kati Basti

Kati Basti comprises two words; “Kati” refers to the lower abdomen or back or around the waist, while “basti” means “to hold”. In Ayurvedic texts, Kati Basti has been defined as part of external oleation (snehana) therapy, where oil is held within a mould for some time on the patient’s back.

What Happens During Kati Basti?

Before treatment starts, a semi-solid paste is prepared with black gram flour to form a thick dough.

The patient lies straight on the table with face upwards - a pillow or towel rolled under the neck - and arms and legs extended. Fomentation with a warm compress is performed to trigger mild sweating. Medicine is administered into each nostril, followed by a mild massage of the neck, palms, ears, shoulders and soles.

This dough is then shaped into a circle, oval or rectangle, with a hollow in the centre. The shape is determined by the area affected.

The dough ring is placed such that the edges are fixed to the back using water. This protects the ring from slipping down the back.

This ring is then filled with heated medicated herbal oil.

The oil, chosen based on the dosha that needs optimisation, remains within the mould. After it is emptied out, the dough is removed from the back of the patient.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the process may be repeated multiple times.

For more chronic cases, treatments every 7 or 10 days may be required.

How Kati Basti Works

Kati Basti is deep tissue therapy that uses lukewarm medicated oil to repair the areas affected by pain.

Heat increases blood flow, which can help reduce swelling, relieve pain and soften ligaments, tendons, and muscles. This in turn allows joints, tendons and ligaments to be stretched further where there is little movement.

Absorbed by the skin, the medicated oil can nourish and strengthen the spinal nerves and back muscles. By improving the mobility of the spinal vertebrae. Kati Basti can improve the health and flexibility of the spine.

Benefits & Indications of Kati Basti

Kati Basti is popular as an affordable treatment for chronic backache. It strengthens the back muscles and joints and maintains the normal curve of the spine.

Effective for lower back pain and spine-related disorders like lumbar spondylosis, sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, coccydynia, and herniated disk, it also results in mental and physical relaxation.