Question
Hi I'm a 26yr old male, 6' 185lbs
I was snowboarding a last week and took a really bad fall on the lower left side of my back, just above my left buttocks. I was in instant pain in the area of contact. Since the fall I have had a constant pain in that spot. I am able to walk without further pain, but there are certain movements which cause greater throbbing. I do not have health insurance, so going to the ER is a last resort. What are the possible injuries I could have suffered and what steps can I take to improve the healing process?

Answer
Hi Mike,

There are several injuries that you may be suffering from due to your fall. The most likely injury is a sprain/strain to your lower back. However, you may have also suffered from a fracture which can only be diagnosed with an x-ray. I would recommend that you use an ice pack on the injured area for 10 minutes at a time several times through out the day. Make sure you wrap the ice pack in a thin towel or t-shirt before applying it to your skin so that you do not suffer from freezer burn. I would also strongly recommend that you see a chiropractic doctor in your area so that they can diagnose your injury and recommend the appropriate therapy.

I hope this helps!

Dr. Liza