Ayurvedic Oils Traditionally Used for Nerve Pain Relief 1. Mahanarayan Oil A classic Ayurvedic medicated oil made by infusing herbs like Bala, Ashwagandha, Dashamoola in sesame oil. Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, nerve-soothing, muscle/joint relaxation Use: Warm slightly and massage gently over the painfull area 2. Mahavishgarbha Tail
Herbal oil blend used externally for pain, stiffness, and circulation support. Good for: Muscle tension and nerve pain discomfort Works well for chronic local pain when gently massaged into skin.
3. Ksheerabala Thailam A traditional Ayurvedic nerve and joint oil made with Bala, cow’s milk, and sesame oil, often processed intensively (Avarthy). Benefits: Calms aggravated nerves and nourishes tissues Often used for neuropathic pain and spasms in Ayurveda.
4. Karpuradi Thailam Camphor-based Ayurvedic oil. Benefits: Cooling analgesic effect that relieves pain & inflammation Good for: Nerve irritation, muscle strains, and peripheral discomfort.
5. Other Herbal Pain Oils (with anti-inflammatory herbs) Formulated blends available commercially also help with nerve irritation: Nirgundi (Vitex) oil – anti-inflammatory Gandhapura (Wintergreen) oil – pain-soothing (contains natural methyl salicylate) Sesame oil base (Tila Taila) – warms and nourishes tissues
From an Ayurvedic view this burning stabbing fire like pain after mechanical irritation of the nerve is a sign of severe nerve sensitivity and dryness in the tissues Even though the screw has been adjusted the nerve takes time to settle and calm down
For external application you can use warm medicated oils that have a soothing grounding and nerve calming effect
The best options are Ksheerabala oil Dhanwantharam oil Mahanarayana oil If none of these are available plain warm sesame oil can still be helpful
Apply the oil around the ankle and lower leg not directly over the surgical wound Use light strokes with no pressure Do this once or twice daily preferably in the evening After application keep the area warm and well supported
You can place a warm cloth over the oiled area for a few minutes if swelling allows Avoid ice cold applications as they aggravate nerve pain
Since your pain intensity is extreme it is important to understand that topical oil alone will not give instant relief The nerve needs time nutrition warmth and internal calming support Gradual reduction in burning and stabbing over days to weeks is a realistic expectation
Please also continue to follow your surgeons advice regarding cast and positioning If pain remains at the same intensity or worsens despite these measures further evaluation is necessary
You are not imagining this pain and it does not mean something has gone wrong permanently Nerves are slow healers but they do heal
THIS TYPE OF PAIN AFTER ANKLE REPLACEMENT SURGERY IS DUE TO DIRECT IRRITATION TRAUMA AND CONTINUOUS SENSITIZATION OF THE SAPHENOUS NERVE AND WHEN A NERVE IS IRRITATED BY HARDWARE OR SURGICAL MANIPULATION IT ENTERS A STATE OF HYPER REACTIVITY WHICH PRODUCES BURNING STABBING FIRE LIKE PAIN PULSATION ELECTRIC SHOCK SENSATION AND EXTREME DISCOMFORT EVEN WITH MINIMAL TOUCH OR MOVEMENT THIS DOES NOT MEAN PERMANENT DAMAGE BUT IT DOES MEAN THE NERVE IS CURRENTLY INFLAMED OVERSTIMULATED AND UNABLE TO SETTLE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PROPER CARE
AT THIS STAGE THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS NERVE SOOTHING AND PROTECTION NOT STIMULATION MANY PEOPLE MAKE THE MISTAKE OF APPLYING STRONG PAIN BALMS DEEP MASSAGE ICE OR FREQUENT HEAT WHICH ACTUALLY AGGRAVATES NERVE PAIN AND MAKES IT LAST LONGER A HEALING NERVE NEEDS GENTLE WARMTH OILING AND STILLNESS
FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION THE MOST SUITABLE OILS ARE KSHIRABALA OIL BALASHWAGANDHA OIL OR MAHANARAYAN OIL IF AVAILABLE THE BEST OPTION IS KSHIRABALA OIL APPLY A SMALL QUANTITY ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE ANKLE ALONG THE PATH OF THE INNER LEG AND UP TOWARDS THE CALF ONCE DAILY IN THE EVENING USE ONLY VERY LIGHT TOUCH DO NOT RUB DO NOT PRESS DO NOT MASSAGE THE PAINFUL POINT THE APPLICATION SHOULD FEEL CALMING NOT STIMULATING AFTER APPLICATION COVER THE AREA WITH SOFT COTTON CLOTH AND KEEP IT WARM
IF PAIN IS EXTREME YOU CAN APPLY THE OIL ON ALTERNATE DAYS AND ON OTHER DAYS JUST KEEP THE AREA WARM WITHOUT OIL NEVER APPLY OIL DIRECTLY OVER SURGICAL INCISION OR CAST AREA ONLY AROUND THE PATH OF THE NERVE
AVOID COMPLETELY CAMPHOR MENTHOL PEPPERMINT EUCALYPTUS STRONG ESSENTIAL OILS ICE PACKS DEEP MASSAGE VIBRATION DEVICES OR HEATING PADS WITH HIGH HEAT THESE ALL IRRITATE NERVES
POSITIONING IS VERY IMPORTANT DO NOT LET THE LEG HANG DOWN FOR LONG PERIODS KEEP THE LEG SLIGHTLY ELEVATED WHEN SITTING OR LYING DOWN AVOID PROLONGED SITTING OR STANDING CHANGE POSITION FREQUENTLY USE SOFT SUPPORT UNDER THE KNEE AND CALF SO THERE IS NO TENSION ALONG THE INNER LEG
FOOD AND DAILY ROUTINE DIRECTLY AFFECT NERVE HEALING AT THIS TIME YOUR BODY NEEDS WARM COOKED SIMPLE NOURISHING FOOD AVOID COLD RAW DRY FOOD SALADS SMOOTHIES ICED DRINKS COFFEE TEA AND ALCOHOL INCLUDE WARM SOUPS STEWED VEGETABLES ,RICE, DAL ,OATMEAL GHEE AND ADEQUATE HYDRATION
SLEEP IS CRITICAL FOR NERVE RECOVERY TRY TO SLEEP EARLY KEEP LIGHTS LOW IN THE EVENING AVOID SCREENS BEFORE BED AND SUPPORT THE LEG PROPERLY DURING SLEEP
MENTAL STRESS AND FEAR INTENSIFY NERVE PAIN SO PRACTICE BREATHING FOR FEW MINUTES DAILY ,WILL HELP THE NERVOUS SYSTEM SETTLE
NERVE PAIN AFTER HARDWARE IRRITATION DOES NOT SETTLE IN DAYS IT USUALLY TAKES WEEKS AND SOMETIMES MONTHS TO CALM DOWN DEPENDING ON DEGREE OF IRRITATION AND HOW WELL IT IS PROTECTED DURING HEALING THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A PADDED CAST NOW IS GOOD AND SUPPORTIVE CONTINUE REGULAR FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR SURGEON IF YOU NOTICE WORSENING NUMBNESS LOSS OF MOVEMENT SKIN COLOR CHANGES OR INCREASING SWELLING THESE NEED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL REVIEW
WITH CONSISTENT GENTLE CARE PROTECTION WARMTH AND PATIENCE THE NERVE USUALLY GRADUALLY SETTLES AND THE BURNING FIRE LIKE PAIN REDUCES OVER TIME DO NOT RUSH THE PROCESS AND DO NOT OVER TREAT LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO NERVE HEALING
Here are some Ayurvedic oils and balms that might help:
- Mahanarayan Oil: Known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce pain and inflammation. - Ashwagandha Oil: Has anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving properties, which can help with nerve pain. - Bala Oil: Strengthens nerves and muscles, can help with pain relief. - Mahamasa Oil: Has anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce pain and inflammation. - Sandalwood Oil: Has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, can help with pain relief.
Topical Balms - Sudarshan Churna Balm: Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, can help reduce pain. - Maharaja Oil Balm: Known for its analgesic properties, can help with nerve pain. - Khanjan Oil Balm: Has anti-inflammatory properties, can help reduce pain and inflammation.
Application Mix a few drops of oil with a carrier oil (coconut or sesame oil) and gently massage the affected area. For balms, apply directly to the affected area.
