Greeva Basti is an Ayurvedic healing therapy, which involves bathing the neck region with medicated oils. The therapy involves oleation and sudation simultaneously around the neck region. The word ‘Greeva’ refers to the neck and ‘Basti’ stands for container.
Greeva Basti is believed to be beneficial for the spine, muscles, and the skeletal tissues of the neck and shoulder. It alleviates pain, stress and congestion around the nerves, bones and muscles of the neck. It provides relaxation and rejuvenation to the mentioned areas. It also facilitates flexibility and smooth movement in addition improving the blood circulation around the neck and shoulder areas.
Greeva Basti therapy gives relief from cervical spondylosis, tingling, numbness of the hands, chronic pain in the neck region and frozen shoulder. It incorporates both the properties of Snehana and Svedhana. It is included under Sadvidha Upakrama (six unique procedures), Bahihparimarjana Chikitsa (external modalities of treatment), SthanikaSamana Chikitsa (local physical therapy) and retaining type of procedure.
Mahavishgarbha Taila and Mahanaryana Taila used in this procedure have Vatnashak property and cause relaxation, smoothness in the body, analgesia, diminishes bad odour of the body, relaxes constipation, cures toothache and schizophrenic conditions.
These days, many of us sit in front of our laptops or computers for long hours due to work-related commitments. Also, most of us spend a lot of time watching content on our smartphones. Both these activities cause a lot of strain on the neck and shoulders causing stiffness and may increase the risk of cervical issues. Greeva Basti therapy helps in relieving the stress, stiffness and pain affecting these regions and also helps in managing conditions which occur due to this strain, such as cervical spondylosis.
In Greeva Basti, the warm oil is retained for a long time. Skin is very sensitive to oleation therapy. Vayu, located in the skin, dominates in the Sparsendriya i.e. tactile sensory organ. Through skin only Viryas (active principles) of Abhyanga (oleation), Pariseka (fomentation), Avagaha (bath), Alepa (locally applied pastes), enter into the body after undergoing paka (metabolism) with Bhrajaka Pitta in tvacha (skin).
The Ayurvedic medicinal herbs used in Greeva Basti have properties which pacify Vata dosha. These herbs are Vata hara, kapha hara properties. This therapy provides nutrition for the body, strengthens the muscle and reduces stiffness.
In Greeva Basti therapy, medicated warm oils are poured and pooled for a fixed duration of time in a compartment or a cabin constructed over the neck or nape of the neck area using wet flour of black gram, covering the cervical region.
As Vata Dosha is Shita (cold), Ruksha (dry) in nature and Swedana being Ushna and with prior oleation, unctuous in nature, alleviates Vata. Swedana increases sweat and throws out waste products along with sweat. Thus it decreases Kleda in the body resulting in the reduction of Gaurava (heaviness) and Stambha (stiffness) which are common symptoms of Vatavyadhis.
At Jiva Ayurveda, Greeva Basti therapy is performed by Ayurveda specialists who are trained in traditional techniques and procedures. A comprehensive assessment is done at the start of each session to understand the patient’s unique constitution, dosha imbalances and medical history. Based on this assessment, the medicated oil used in Greeva Basti is carefully selected and prepared with precision.
Purva Karma 1 (preparation for procedure): During the session, the patient lies down on the table in the prone position after confirming that he/she has passed stools and voided properly. The patient is then asked to drape clothes so that the cervical area is exposed properly.
Pradhana Karma (procedure): The dough of black gram powder is prepared by taking an ample amount of water. This dough is then used to form a wall which is two inches high and four inches in diameter on the cervical area. This wall is filled with taila using a cotton piece and is allowed to sit there for 35-45 minutes. To ensure a constant temperature, a little portion of the oil is taken out and the remaining oil within the wall is mixed with warm oil.
Paschat Karma (post-procedure care): To remove the oil, a spoon is used and the oil is collected in a separate vessel. After this, the dough is removed and the patient is allowed to rest and relax by laying down in the supine position.
The benefits of undergoing Greeva Basti therapy are:
Relief from neck pain and inflammation: the warm oils used in Greeva Basti provide relief from neck pain and inflammation by relaxing the neck area.
Increases flexibility: this Panchakarma therapy helps facilitate the smooth movement of the neck as it relaxes the muscles in the neck area.
Lubricates joints: the absorption of the warm oils used in Greeva Basti allows the joints to be lubricated and enables smooth movement.
Reduces rigidity: by relaxing the muscles and de-stressing the neck area, this Panchakarma therapy reduces rigidity.
Enhances blood circulation: Greeva Basti increases the blood circulation in the neck area, which further strengthens the spine.
If you or any of your loved ones experience neck pain or are suffering from conditions related to stiffness in the neck, then Greeva Basti is a good remedy for pain relief and stress management.
A. The duration of the therapy depends on the nature of the disease, but typically lasts up to 7-14 days.
A. Greeva Basti can help with many conditions, such as cervical spondylosis, whiplash, sprains and strains, tension and headaches.
A. Someone with an open neck wound cannot undergo this therapy.
A. No, pregnant and lactating women should not undergo Greeva Basti therapy.
A. Greeva Basti helps relieve pain and stiffness in the body, and it is done in a gentle, relaxing way, so it is not painful.
Since Greeva Basti helps alleviate pain, stiffness and stress, after this therapy you should expect to feel relaxed, calm and enjoy smoother movement.
