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Upanaham

Upanaham medicated herbal paste poultice for chronic back pain, sciatica and knee arthritis at Agasthya Kerala

About Upanaham

Upanaham is a sustained-contact poultice therapy where a warm medicated herbal paste is applied directly to the affected joint or region and held in place with a bandage — often kept on for several hours, frequently overnight. Unlike a massage that delivers medicine for a few minutes, Upanaham gives the herbs hours to penetrate deep into the tissue. At Agasthya, Upanaham is one of the most heavily relied-on therapies for chronic back pain, disc bulge, sciatica, knee osteoarthritis, and cervical spondylosis — wherever the goal is concentrated, localised, prolonged drug delivery into a specific region. The paste composition is selected by Dr. T.D. Bose based on whether the underlying picture is Vata-aggravated (warming, oily formulations), Pitta-inflammatory (cooling, soothing formulations), or Kapha-stagnant (drying, penetrating formulations).

Duration

Paste applied and bandaged for 6–12 hours (often overnight); typically daily or alternate days across a 14–21 day protocol

Key Benefits

Delivers concentrated medication directly into the affected joint or paraspinal tissue for hours at a time
Far longer drug-tissue contact than any massage, oil stream, or short-duration therapy can achieve
Reduces deep, chronic inflammation in disc, joint capsule, and ligamentous tissue
Relaxes paraspinal muscle spasm in stubborn lumbar and cervical cases
Paste composition is tailored to Vata, Pitta, or Kapha presentation — not a one-size formula
Especially effective when shorter therapies have plateaued and a deeper, sustained approach is needed

Indications

  • Chronic lower back pain and lumbar spondylosis
  • Disc bulge and disc prolapse (lumbar and cervical)
  • Sciatica and radiating leg pain
  • Knee osteoarthritis and chronic knee pain
  • Cervical spondylosis and neck stiffness
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Localised joint swelling and inflammation
  • Post-injury chronic pain

Patient Outcome

“I'm 63 years old, and I have a long history of slip discs. 26 years ago, when I had severe back pain, I did my treatment under Dr. Bose and his team. Recently, when my back pain returned slowly and started to give me sciatic pain, after much research, I decided to get treatment from Agasthya. Knowing Dr. Bose and his team gave me confidence. I did 21 days of treatment while staying there. It was a really amazing and rejuvenating experience with Agasthya.”
Nassar — Recurring Slip Disc with Sciatic Pain — 21-Day In-Patient Treatment

Verified patient review. Read more patient stories →

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Upanaham different from a regular oil massage or bolus therapy?
A massage or bolus is in contact with your skin for 45–60 minutes — then the medicine is wiped away. Upanaham works on the opposite principle: a warm medicated herbal paste is bandaged onto the affected area and left in place for 6–12 hours, often overnight. That sustained contact lets the herbs penetrate far deeper into the joint capsule, paraspinal muscles, or affected tissue than any short-duration therapy can achieve. It is the difference between a quick application and prolonged drug delivery.
Is Upanaham used on its own or as part of a larger protocol?
Upanaham is almost always part of a larger 14–21 day in-patient protocol. A typical day might include Marma Abhyangam and steam in the morning, then Upanaham applied and bandaged in the evening to work overnight. The next morning the bandage is removed, the area is cleaned, and the daily therapy cycle resumes. This sequencing means you get short-contact mobilising therapies during the day and sustained deep-penetration medication during the rest hours.
Which conditions benefit most from Upanaham at Agasthya?
We rely on Upanaham most heavily for chronic back pain, disc bulge and disc prolapse (L4-L5, L5-S1), sciatica with radiating leg pain, cervical spondylosis with stiffness, and knee osteoarthritis. Wherever the pain is deep, chronic, and concentrated in a specific region — and other shorter therapies have only partially helped — Upanaham is one of the most useful tools we have.
Is the bandage uncomfortable to sleep in?
Most patients adapt within a night or two. The bandage is firm but not constricting, and patients regularly tell us the relief from the warming, anti-inflammatory paste outweighs the unfamiliarity of sleeping with the wrap on. Therapists check on you and adjust if anything is too tight.

Ready to Experience the Benefits?

Book a consultation with our Ayurvedic specialists to learn how Upanaham can help you.

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Conditions This Treats

Why Agasthya?

  • NABH-certified hospital
  • 10,000+ cases treated
  • 30+ years of experience
  • Led by Dr. T.D. Bose
  • 4.9/5 rating (200+ reviews)

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Medically reviewed by Dr. T.D. Bose, Chief Physician, Agasthya Ayurvedic Hospital. Last updated: March 22, 2026.

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