Slipped or Fell Recently? Why Low Back Pain Often Shows Up Days Later

Why Back Pain Doesn’t Always Start Right After a Fall

Many people slip on ice, trip, or fall and feel “fine” at first only to wake up days later with stiffness, aching, or sharp pain in the lower back.

This delay is extremely common.

When you slip or fall, your body instinctively tightens to protect itself. Muscles brace, joints compress, and tissues absorb impact. The inflammation often builds after the adrenaline wears off.

What Happens to Your Low Back During a Slip or Fall

Even without direct impact, a fall can cause:

• sudden compression of spinal joints
• muscle strains from twisting or bracing
• irritation of spinal discs
• inflammation around nerves
• sacroiliac (SI) joint stress
• reduced circulation to injured tissues

These changes may not hurt immediately but they often show up within 24–72 hours.

Common Low Back Symptoms After a Fall

You may notice:

• stiffness when standing or bending
• aching across the lower back
• sharp pain with movement
• pain when getting out of bed
• discomfort sitting or driving
• pain that radiates into the hips or legs
• muscle spasms

Even “minor” falls can create significant back issues.

Why Ignoring Back Pain After a Fall Is Risky

Many people assume:

“It’ll go away on its own.”

But untreated inflammation can lead to:

• chronic stiffness
• nerve irritation
• muscle imbalance
• worsening mobility
• recurring pain episodes

Early treatment reduces the risk of long-term back problems.

Why Ice, Rest, and Pain Pills Aren’t Enough

Ice and rest may calm symptoms temporarily, but they don’t address:

• joint compression
• reduced circulation
• muscle guarding
• inflammation around spinal structures

Pain medication masks symptoms without helping tissues heal.

How Buffalo Arthritis & Joint Pain Center Helps Low Back Pain After a Fall

Our approach helps:

• reduce inflammation in spinal joints
• improve circulation to injured tissues
• relax tight muscles
• restore mobility and flexibility
• reduce nerve irritation
• support long-term spine health

Patients often report:

• less stiffness
• easier bending and standing
• reduced pain when walking or sitting
• improved sleep
• faster recovery

All without surgery, injections, or downtime.

What You Should Do After a Slip or Fall

✔ Get evaluated even if pain is mild
✔ Stay gently active, don’t completely rest
✔ Use ice for the first 24–48 hours
✔ Avoid heavy lifting or twisting
✔ Watch for increasing stiffness or radiating pain

The sooner inflammation is addressed, the better the outcome.

You Don’t Have to Live With Back Pain After a Fall

If you slipped, fell, or twisted recently and now your low back hurts, it’s important to address it early.

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