Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal and compressing the nerves travelling through the lower back into the legs. Anuvasana Basti supports lubrication and Vata balance, but it cannot reverse mechanical nerve compression caused by lumbar stenosis. It is a supportive treatment.
- Avoid intense exercise, it may trigger symptoms. - You can focus on slow movement exercises like yoga - Knee to chest exercise, Pelvic tilts, gentle hamstring and calf muscle stretching exercise
Continue some internal medicine for 2 weeks and follow up. 1. Gandharvahasthadi kashaya 15ml + 45ml lukewarm water at morning. 2. Sahacharadi mezhupaka 5 drops along with kashaya 3. Stifain tab 0-0-1 after food. 4. Sahacharadi tailam for external application
Thank you for contacting ask Ayurveda.
Based on what you have described, you are suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, with moderate pain while walking and mild cramping in the calves during exercise, even after completing Anuvasana Basti two months back. This situation is actually quite common in chronic spine and nerve related problems. So first thing, please do not panic. This is not unusual.
In ayurveda this condition is classified under Katigata Vata, with clear features of Avarana of Vata . In lumbar stenosis, there is structural narrowing in the spinal canal. Because of this, nerves get compressed. Thus is a degenerative Vata disorder, where dryness, degeneration, weakness, and obstruction are happening together. Not just one factor.
Anuvasana Basti mainly provides Sneha, meaning oiliness and nourishment, to aggravated Vata. It is a very good therapy. No doubt. But in conditions like lumbar stenosis, only Anuvasana basti is usually not sufficient.
Because here problem is not only dryness. There is also blockage. There is inflammation. And there is nerve compression.
So when only oil basti is given: Some lubrication happens Some stiffness may reduce Patient may feel temporary relief
That is the reason why pain while walking is still present, and why calf muscles start cramping during exercise. This does not mean treatment has failed. Not at all. It simply means treatment was incomplete or not fully matched to the depth of disease.
Importance of Niruha / Yoga Basti
In your case, Niruha Basti (decoction enema) is very important. This is not optional. Niruha basti helps in: Removing deep-seated obstruction Reducing inflammation around compressed nerves Improving nerve conduction Allowing Vata to move in proper and natural direction
For chronic lumbar stenosis, best and stable results are seen with: Yoga Basti, or Kala Basti protocol
This combination gives both cleansing and nourishment. Only oil without cleansing will not work here. Without Niruha basti, Anuvasana alone cannot give full relief, especially when walking pain is a major symptom.
Walking pain and calf cramping – what it actually indicates
Pain that increases during walking and exercise is a very typical sign of Vata prakopa with nerve compression. Calf cramping indicates: Vata affecting Mamsa and Snayu dhatu Reduced nerve and blood supply during exertion Muscles being pushed beyond their current capacity
Your body is clearly giving signal to slow down. But intense exercise is continuing. So Vata keeps getting aggravated again and again. Medicine tries to calm it. Exercise again disturbs it. So relief becomes slow.
You mentioned you are doing regular intense exercise. Honestly speaking, this is one of the main reasons pain is persisting. I have to be clear here.
In lumbar stenosis: High impact exercise Long walking Treadmill walking Excess stretching Twisting movements Forward bending
All these will increase nerve irritation, even if medicines are perfect.
Exercise is important, yes. But wrong exercise is harmful.
For now: Stop intense workouts Do only short, gentle walks Avoid long-distance walking • Avoid bending and twisting movements Swimming is allowed if comfortable Gentle physiotherapy or yoga only under proper guidance
Panchakarma Yoga Basti course (Anuvasana + Niruha in proper sequence) • Kati Basti with Sahacharadi taila or Mahanarayana taila • Regular Abhyanga followed by mild Swedana
These therapies help in relaxing deep muscles, reducing stiffness around lumbar spine, and improving nerve circulation.
Internal Medicines - You may consider the following medicines: Sahacharadi Kashayam – 15 ml twice daily before food with warm water Helpful for nerve pain, lower limb pain, difficulty in walking. Rasna Saptakam Kashayam – 15 ml twice daily Helps reduce inflammation and stiffness. Yogaraja Guggulu – 1 tablet twice daily after food Useful in chronic Vata disorders and spine related degeneration. Ashwagandha Churna – ½ teaspoon at night with warm milk
Diet and lifestyle Warm, freshly cooked food Slightly oily food is beneficial Avoid dry, cold, refrigerated food Avoid fasting and irregular eating Avoid excess tea and coffee
Drink warm water in small sips through the day.
Sleep should be proper. Late nights will worsen Vata. Cold exposure, direct AC air on body, sleeping on cold floors – avoid all these.
Lumbar stenosis is not an acute condition. It is chronic and degenerative.
Relief is: Slow Gradual But steady if treatment is done correctly Generally,Pain reduction starts after 3–4 weeks of proper basti and medicines Walking tolerance improves gradually Full recovery takes few days to months ….
Regards
Dr prasad
Hello I can understand your worry.Such kind of situation can be really disappointing. Lumbar spinal stenosis with persistent pain and calf cramping even after Anuvasana Basti can be really annoying especially when it makes it impossible to go for a walk or do your regular exercise. But it is alright as we are still with you to sort your problem out.
YOUR CONCERN
Lumbar spinal stenosis Anuvasana Basti done (approximately 2 months ago) Pain on walking still persists During exercise mild cramping in calf muscles Pain aggravated by physical activity Activity level: Regular intense exercise
AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING
According to Ayurveda, lumbar stenosis corresponds to Katigata Vata / Gridhrasi-like condition, where:
Vata dosha is very imbalanced in: –Asthi (bone) –Majja (nerve tissue) –Snayu (ligaments)
Long-term pressure leads to: –Rukshata (dryness) –Sankocha (tightness) –Margavarodha (obstruction in nerve pathways)
👉 Anuvasana Basti mainly brings lubrication and nourishment, however, in deep-rooted or structural cases, Anuvasana only is rarely enough.
WHY IS PAIN STILL THERE AFTER ANUVASANA BASTI?
👉 CHRONICITY OF DIESEASE
One of the major problems is chronicality of the disease If stenosis has been there for several years and Vata is very deeply lodged Only one Anuvasana basti treatment can bring only partial relief, not complete remission
👉COMBINED BASTI The work of Anuvasana Basti will be more effective if there is a Niruha (Asthapana) Basti – to release the obstructed Vata Removal of obstruction is necessary for oil to be able to give relief completely Without the combination Niruha Basti, Anuvasana Basti cannot achieve full relief.
👉EXCESSIVE EXERCISE
Excess or Intense Exercise Very intense exercise will definitely make Vata worse As a result, calf muscle cramps may appear due to: -Vata caused nerve irritation -Muscle ischemia and dryness
👉 In stenosis, if you push yourself too hard with the exercises, your symptoms will get worse, even though the exercise is generally good for you.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE NOW (STEP-BY-STEP)
✅ PANCHAKARMA MODIFICATION You may take a Kala Basti or Yoga Basti Combination of Anuvasana + Niruha basti Or Ksheera Basti (milk-based basti) if degeneration is predominant
⚠️ All the procedures should be carried out under a very professional and experienced Panchakarma physician.
✅ INTERNAL MEDICATION
1.Yograj Guggulu – 1-0-1 after food for Vata-kapha obstruction 2.palsineuron 1-0-1 after food – nerve & muscle strength 3.Lumbatone plus 1-0-1 after food
✅ EXTERNAL THERAPIES
Kati Basti with Sahacharadi / Kottamchukkadi Taila is very useful Patra Pinda Sweda (herbal bolus fomentation) Soft Abhyanga followed by gentle swedana
✅EXERCISE MODIFICATION (VERY IMPORTANT)
❌ AVOID Intense workouts Long walks without breaks Forward bending, jumping, weight lifting
✅ DO
Short and slow walks Light stretching Exercises in the supine position Yoga (very gentle and under guidance)
👉 If there is pain during exercise, you should stop doing it, not continue further.
✅DIETARY SUPPORT
INCLUDE Warm, cooked food Ghee (small daily quantity) Milk with turmeric (if digestion allows) Soups, stews
AVOID Dry foods Cold foods/drinks Excess fasting Raw salads at night
WHEN TO EXPECT IMPROVEMENT
Pain reduction: 4–6 weeks after proper combined therapy Walking tolerance improves gradually Calf cramps reduce as Vata normalizes
You cannot “heal” structural stenosis in a matter of days, however, pain, cramps, and general wellbeing can be greatly improved with the right Ayurvedic treatment.
–Anuvasana basti alone is not enough for lumbar stenosis –Combined basti + lifestyle correction is essential –Do not over-exercise as it will only delay healing –Regular, gentle therapy is the best long-term solution
Warm regards, Dr Snehal Vidhate
