Ayurveda for Back Pain, Sciatica and Joint Stiffness in San Ramon

A stiff lower back, sciatica, aching knees, a tight neck and shoulders: chronic pain and stiffness are among the concerns Preeti Gupta helps with at Minute Wonder Ayurveda, San Ramon. Her approach combines a consultation, daily routine and diet with warm oil and steam therapies done in the clinic.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellness. Preeti does not diagnose pathological conditions from a Western perspective, so her work sits alongside the care of your physician and never replaces it. Pain should always be assessed by a physician first.

What Ayurveda looks at

Ayurveda traditionally links joints, muscles and nerves with vata, the dosha of movement. Preeti therefore looks beyond the sore spot, at your digestion, sleep, activity, daily routine and the season, as well as your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

The therapies on her pages use warmth and oil. Her Abhyanga page describes warm oil applied to the body to prevent stiffness while promoting circulation, and her Swedana page describes heat as enhancing circulation and easing stiffness.

What a consultation with Preeti covers

Preeti Gupta is Ayurvedic Doctor-level certified (NAMACB) and a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). Your first visit is a 90-minute consultation ($250). She goes through your health concerns and symptoms in detail, reviews your daily routine, diet, digestion, exercise and sleeping habits, and uses a detailed health history, pulse analysis, skin examination and tongue diagnosis to understand your constitution. You leave with a customized diet plan, self-care routines and recommendations for herbs and oils. Follow-ups are $125 for 60 minutes. See pricing.

What she may recommend

• Kati, Janu and Greeva Basti: warm medicated oil held in a small reservoir over the lower back (Kati), the knees (Janu) or the neck (Greeva) for about 20 to 30 minutes. The page describes it as soothing and relaxing the muscles and improving circulation to the area.

• Swedana, herbal steam, usually after Abhyanga. Nadi Swedana directs steam through a tube onto a specific area, usually over sites of pain or stiffness.

• Abhyanga, the warm oil full body massage ($150 for 60 minutes, $200 for 90), to support circulation and ease stiffness.

• Diet, daily routine and self-care changes, and herbal supplements or oils where they suit you.

Each therapy has contraindications. Basti may not be recommended with a severe injury, inflammation or infection in the area, and Swedana is not recommended with conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or fever. Read the contraindication sections on those pages and tell Preeti about your health history before booking.

What you can start this week

• A sesame oil self-massage. Preeti's post Rejuvenate, Nourish, and Glow describes warming the oil, working from the extremities toward the heart with long strokes on the limbs and circular strokes on the joints, and spending extra time on the feet, hands and scalp.

• Write down your daily routine and activity for a few days, including when pain is better or worse. It is the list she asks new clients to prepare.

When to see your physician

Go to urgent or emergency care for new weakness or numbness in a leg, loss of bladder or bowel control, or back pain after a fall or injury. See your physician promptly for pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, pain that wakes you at night and does not ease, a hot, red, swollen joint, or chest pain. Do not stop prescribed pain or arthritis medication without talking to your doctor.

Common questions about pain and stiffness

Can Ayurveda help with sciatica?

Sciatica should be assessed by a physician first. Alongside that care, Preeti may recommend Kati Basti for the lower back, Abhyanga and Swedana, together with diet and routine changes. Her Basti page describes Kati Basti as warm medicated oil that soothes and relaxes the muscles of the lower back.

What is Kati Basti?

Kati Basti is warm medicated oil held in a small reservoir, made of dough or black gram paste, over the lower back while you lie face down. The oil is kept warm and usually stays in place for about 20 to 30 minutes, and the therapist may gently massage the area around it. Price is quoted after your consultation.

Is Abhyanga good for joint stiffness?

Abhyanga is a warm oil massage that Preeti's page describes as preventing stiffness while promoting circulation. Whether it suits you depends on your health history, so tell her about any condition or medication before booking. It is $150 for 60 minutes or $200 for 90 minutes.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of wellness and is not a substitute for medical care. Content here is educational. Please consult your physician about any medical condition. Preeti Gupta is not licensed by the State of California as a healing arts practitioner; Ayurvedic services are complementary to the care of licensed providers.