A bruised back occurs as a result of a fall, bump or blow to the back. Usually the vertebrae are bruised, sometimes also the muscles. A bruised back can be very painful. How long does recovery take and what is the best way to move with a bruised back?

What is a bruised back?

A bruise involves damage under the skin, not to the skin itself. With a bruised back it is often the bones or the vertebrae that are damaged. But the back muscles can also be affected. There is often also a bruise or bruise at the site of the bruise.

What causes a bruised back?

A bruised back often occurs as a result of a fall, for example from a horse or down the stairs. Slipping and landing on your back can also cause a bruised back. Sometimes a bruise is caused by a kick to the back, a blow or a bump. A bruised back never just happens on its own.During a bruise, tissues are pressed and compressed against bone parts. This causes damage to the back muscles or the vertebrae.

Recognizing a bruise

A bruised back hurts a lot. Standing is painful, sitting is also difficult. Most people feel the least amount of pain when lying down. A bruise can quickly appear on the skin: a bruise. Although a bruised back will heal on its own, it is important to have the back checked for hairline cracks, displaced or broken vertebrae in the event of a hard blow. X-rays can be taken in the hospital to make an assessment. If it turns out to be a bruised back, the patient is sent home with painkillers/anti-inflammatories.

Recovery

Recovery from a bruised back does not simply occur within a few days. Complete recovery can take four weeks to six months. For the first few days, lying down is the only option to minimize back pain. Yet exercise is important. A little walking, maybe some cycling, exercise promotes recovery.The doctor will usually prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories, for example diclofenac. The anti-inflammatory is necessary because an inflammatory reaction usually occurs when a bruise occurs. The inflammatory response consists mainly of swelling. Swelling can press the vertebrae, muscles, tissues, etc. more against each other, causing more pain.

Movement

The body is busy repairing the bruise. This takes time. Pain indicates that something is wrong in the back. Exercise encourages the body to work a little harder on recovery. In addition, exercise will ensure that the back muscles do not weaken. Weak back muscles cause even more pain. The back muscles weaken very quickly when they are not used. Someone who lies flat in bed for three days will already notice that their muscles have weakened.It is important to keep moving close to the pain threshold. With painkillers, people will generally exercise more, which will promote recovery. In the event of a bruise, the patient does not have to fear damaging anything: the back can therefore be used as long as it is not very painful.Exercising is not recommended for a while with a bruised back. As soon as the pain and swelling subsides, usually after one to two weeks, light exercise can be started. Swimming is good for the back muscles and not very stressful for the vertebrae. Walking is also an excellent form of light exercise. Heavy sports such as fitness, horse riding, boxing and sports that place a lot of strain on the back muscles should wait a little longer. Sometimes wearing a corset can provide more support for the back during exercise. It is also important to protect the weakened back during sports during the first period, for example by wearing a body protector or a back brace.During the first few days, walking and standing can be very painful with a bruised back. Try to shift the weight that the back normally carries to the thighs. The weight is therefore absorbed by the muscles of the upper leg. By bending the knees slightly, the weight shifts from the back to the legs. This can help with standing and walking.You can work if your back pain allows it. Heavy, bending or lifting work is not recommended for the first two weeks, after which you can build up slowly . Because not every bruised back is the same, the degree of pain and the duration of recovery can vary greatly. Listen to your own body.