Kativasti is an useful therapy in lower backache, stiffness, pain felt down the back. Kati is the waist area of the body. Vasti in this case implies a container.
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In this kriya patients are made to lie face down and a rectangular leak-proof reservoir made of black gram dough is built up on the lower back, around the lumbo-sacral area. Then lukewarm medicinal oil is slowly poured into it. The oil and the receptacle are kept on for about 30 min. After removing them, the affected area may be gently massaged with the same oil. The patient is then made to take rest for a short while.
Kativasti alleviates pain and strengthens the bone tissues. For severe conditions of Sciatica, osteo-arthritis of the hip, the latter condition characterized by severe pain radiating down the leg, a combination of Shamana (palliative) and Shodhana (eliminatory) measures is necessary to prevent a relapse.