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Back pain after falling on your back
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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No one is immune from any traumatic injuries, this also applies to injuries received after falling on the back. Most injuries to the spine and spinal cord cause complete or partial loss of motor functions and sensitivity, paresis and paralysis. And if the symptoms appear immediately, the patient and his relatives will seek medical help.
[ Symptoms
Sometimes numbness or paralysis does not occur immediately, but after some time, several days or even weeks, as a manifestation of hemorrhagic and inflammatory phenomena, accumulation of lymph, other physiological fluid in the spinal cord or the space surrounding it.
Symptoms of spinal cord injury include back pain and burning, a feeling of pressure in the collar area, chest or back, periodic loss of consciousness, malaise, tingling and/or loss of sensation in the extremities, problems with balance, difficulty coordinating movements and walking, breathing, respiratory symptoms, loss of control over urination and/or defecation, changes in sexual function.
The mildest injury after falling on the back is considered to be a bruise, in which only soft tissues are injured - skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle tissue, ligaments.
Back pain after a neck injury without spinal cord damage manifests itself immediately and acutely, there may be swelling and hematoma at the site of injury. The pain intensifies even more when trying to move the neck or turn the head.
Thoracic (at the level of the shoulder blades and chest) soft tissue injuries are manifested by sharp back pain, difficulty breathing, possible respiratory symptoms - cough, expectoration. Deep breathing or coughing causes an increase in pain. Edema and hematoma, the palpation of which is painful, dysfunction of the back muscles.
A soft tissue contusion in the lumbar region is accompanied by pain in this area, which occurs immediately and intensifies when turning and bending the body. Hematomas and swelling in the lumbar region, muscle dysfunction. Often the patient feels increased discomfort when lying on his back.
Symptoms of a bruise are more pronounced if the patient has chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
A fall on the lower back is often accompanied by a bruise or closed fracture (crack) in the lumbosacral spine.
Diagnostics back pain
If you fall on your back, you must be examined at a medical facility to rule out injuries to the spine and spinal cord, since the length of time from the moment of injury to the start of treatment is critical and can affect the severity of complications and the level of possible recovery.
Treatment back pain
First aid consists of resting the injured body part. The patient should take a position that alleviates pain. There is no need to massage the back. In the first 24 hours, it is recommended to apply ice wrapped in plastic film and cloth to the injured area, changing the compress every two hours. Such procedures will reduce pain, swelling, and stop hemorrhages. Hot and warm compresses are not allowed in the first 24 hours.