Janu Basti

The knee joint is called Janu Sandhi in Sanskrit. The name janu basti is given to the Panchakarma procedure done over the knee joint area. It gives great relief form the pain and stiffness associated with knee pain.

Procedure

  • In Janu Basti therapy a frame or area bounded by flour of black gram is constructed around the knee joint.
  • Site of frame around knee joint can be in front or back side depending on where the site of degeneration or inflammation or injury is present.
  • Medicated warm oil is poured and left retained in the frame for a fixed duration of time. Oil is kept warm by repetitively adding hot oil in the frame and replacing the oil at regular intervals.
  • Duration for the entire procedure is for 30 mins. (apprx)
  • After removing flour frame, gentle massage is done with medicated oil followed by Swedan (hot fomentation) with medicated decoction’s steam/ Patra Pind Swedan. Total time duration for this step is 15-20 min. (apprx)

It is a procedure in which comfortably warm medicated oil is kept over the Knee area or any adjacent part affected for a certain period of time with the help of a boundary made by dough of black gram. Prior to this procedure thorough Oleation is done by medicated Oils along with fomentation (Nadi Sweda) of the knee joints. These procedures when done regularly over a period of 2 -3 weeks give beneficial results in Osteo-arthritis, Knee-sprains, Pain, Swelling or Stiffness over knee Joints etc.

The procedure requires 40-45 minutes daily and done for 14 to 21 days.

Indications of Janu Basti

  • Osteoarthritis of knee joint– In this degenerative wear and tear of the knee joint takes place. The common features are pain, stiffness, swelling and crackling sound on joint movement.
  • Patello-femoral pain syndrome– common in athletes (paellae arthritis). Pain is present between patella and the underlying thigh bone.
  • Various types of knee injuries eg. ACL (Art. Cruciate Ligament) injury, Knee bursitis (Housemaid’s knee), Patellar tendonitis (Jumper’s knee)