Back pain..?

Question:

I'm 16 and I had recently fell down the stairs...only like two or three steps though, but I hit my back. The pain is my lower back, right by my hips. Its kind of difficult to bend down, it feels like something is pulling when I try to bend down. Any suggestions on what I can do about this?

Answers:
If this just happened and it was concrete stairs your parents might consider taking you to the emergency room.

If it has been a few days or you want to wait a few days and see how it does, I can suggest several things. If it has been less than 48 hours, I would advise placing an ice pack to your low back-a 1 gallon hefty bag with chopped ice should cover the area if it is both sides. One of those refreezeable blue ones available in any drug or grocery store will work if it is on only one side. Be sure to wrap it it in something like a pillowcase-light and fairly thin so you can feel it but not so thick you can't feel it on your skin.

If it has been over 48 hours, use a heating pad on warm. Most folks will like hot better, but one can blister your skin, so please be careful to cover your skin with clothing before applying and I strongly advise not falling asleep with it on hot and lying on it for a prolong period.

Elevate your knees with 2 pillows. This will take a lot of stress off your back and reduce the pain. This works well with an ice/heating pad in place. For sleeping, Sleeping on a side with a pillow between your knees will promote comfort. Do not sleep on your stomach. This is the worst position for a person with back pain.

If it's been several days, I also recommend taking a bath as warm as you can tolerate and just soak those muscles for 15-20 minutes. Again, be sure and don't burn yourself.

I suggest you take NSAIDS around the clock for a few days. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, Advil, Nuprin-These are all the same drug. Buy the cheapest.
If you have never had an ulcer or any bleeding episodes from any source in your body, you can take 3 every 6 hours with food-grapes, cheese, cookies, half sandwich, bananna, etc. Don't just take them for discomfort, take them around the clock every 6 hours while awake. They will reduce any inflammation to your muscles, nerves caused by the fall.

If you experience any numbness down your leg or legs, severe pain down your legs, inability to walk, or lose bowel or bladder control, you must go to the ER immediately.

Remember, school starts soon. You want to be ready. Give this 3-4 days max. Then go to your family MD.

If the pain is in to the left or right of your vertebrate, it is probably muscular. If it is right down the center of your back on your vertebrate when pressed it could be a broken bone. Don't self-treat what might be a fracture of the back.

Back pain..?

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