What Happens When You Fall Backwards?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Backward falls are extremely dangerous, as they are most likely to cause

back and head injuries

. The back may be injured at any point along the spine, but the tailbone is at particular risk, as many victims fall on their buttocks.

What should you do if you fall on your back?


Apply heat or ice to the painful area

. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Sleep in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs.

What injuries can you get from falling on your back?

Severe back injuries include fractures (a break in a bone),

wounds, extensive bruising and damage to your spinal cord and internal organs

. Any of the following symptoms could indicate a severe back injury.

What happens if you fall flat on your back?

If you fall onto your back, the impact of this force is usually borne by your spine. The result can be a chipped vertebra,

a slipped disc

, nerve damage or even permanent damage to your spinal cord which can result in total or partial paralysis.

What should you do immediately after a fall?

  1. Seek Medical Treatment. If you are ever injured in a slip and fall accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. …
  2. Look Around. …
  3. Document Everything. …
  4. Report Your Accident to the Proper Authorities. …
  5. Contact A Personal Injury Attorney.

When should you go to the doctor for a fall back?

If your back pain is from a strain,

sprain

, or other mild injury, but it isn’t going away, call your primary care doctor. If the pain is severe, ongoing, or you have numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, you can call a healthcare professional like a chiropractor, physiatrist or orthopedist.

Will the ER do anything for back pain?

Upper and middle back pain, in most cases, does get better with time and rest. If your back pain is unrelenting and not relieved by rest,

you should immediately visit the closest emergency department

. If the pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should also seek emergency care: Fever.

How do you know if fall is serious?

  1. Severe or lingering pain.
  2. Headaches.
  3. Obvious swelling.
  4. Ringing in the ears.
  5. Bruising.
  6. Loss of balance.
  7. Dizziness.
  8. Back pain.

What causes you to fall for no reason?

This can be caused by

dehydration

, ageing circulation, medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and heart conditions and some medications used to treat high blood pressure. inner ear problems – such as labyrinthitis or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) problems with your heart rate or rhythm. …

What happens to your body when you slip and fall?

A fall can often result in a stressful force being placed on the bones throughout the body. In slip and fall accidents, hip, wrist, and ankle fractures are some of the most common types of

broken bones

. The older you are, the more likely you are to break a bone as a result of a slip and fall.

How long after a fall Do you feel pain?

At first, you don’t feel more than bruised—but later, pain sets in.

Perhaps even after a week or two

, you might start to experience pain in your joints, knees, back or hips. You might experience headaches and the other symptoms that come with them.

Are slip and fall cases hard to win?

However, despite their prevalence, and despite the fact that slips and falls generally result in serious injuries,

slip and fall cases are difficult to win

. When these types of accidents occur, it is usually because of carelessness or negligence on the part of the property owner.

Should you go to the hospital after a fall?

Obvious injuries resulting from a fall, such as fractures (a broken bone), open wounds or head injuries that may or may not be associated with loss of consciousness, can require

an Emergency Room visit

.

What are the most serious consequences of a fall?

The most serious consequences of a fall are

severe injuries, the risk of fall-related anxiety, and financial instability due to medical bills and lost

wages.

When would someone falling become a cause for concern?


Any fall that results in an injury is cause

for concern, no matter how minor, and should receive treatment immediately. Injuries can appear small at first, but gradual or sudden changes in health or behavior are significant signs that an injury is worth a closer look.

How long do seniors live after a fall?

Cheng’s team found that

approximately 4.5 percent of elderly patients (70 years and above) died

following a ground-level fall, compared to 1.5 percent of non-elderly patients.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.