Kati Vasti (Lower Back Care)
A specialised lower-back therapy where warm medicated oil is pooled over the lumbar spine within a dough ring. Relieves chronic low-back pain and stiffness. Cannot be booked online — send an enquiry or book a free consultation first.
Kati Vasti is a specialised lower-back therapy in which a ring of black-gram dough is built and sealed over the lumbar spine to hold warm medicated oil pooled across the lower back. The oil remains in place for roughly thirty to forty-five minutes and is refreshed throughout to keep it comfortably warm, letting a deep, spreading warmth penetrate the muscles and tissues.
Once the pooled-oil phase is complete, a light massage and a brief Kizhi (herbal poultice) follow, leaving the lower back feeling eased, warmed and supported.
What this therapy supports
- Deeply relieves low-back pain
- Eases stiffness and improves bending
- Strengthens back muscles and ligaments
- Improves circulation to the lower back
- Supports degenerating soft tissue (tarunasthi)
The session, step by step
Lying face down
You lie comfortably face down so the lower back is fully accessible.
Building the dough ring
A ring of black-gram dough is shaped and sealed on the lower back to form a leak-proof well.
Warm pooled oil
Warm medicated oil is poured into the well and refreshed to stay warm for around 30 to 45 minutes, giving a deep spreading warmth.
Gentle massage
The dough is removed and a light, gentle massage is given over the lower back.
Brief Kizhi
A short warm herbal poultice (Kizhi) finishes the treatment.
Kati Vasti is not suitable for all back pain and is only carried out under Vaidya guidance. It should be avoided during pregnancy, where there are open wounds, skin infections, burns or rashes on the lower back, acute inflammation, fever or a hot swollen injury, and in cases of severe spinal fractures or tumours. For this reason the therapy cannot be booked online; a free consultation with our Ayurveda Vaidya is required first to assess whether it is appropriate for you.