Every Edmonton winter brings the same kind of fall. A patch of black ice on the driveway, a slick parking lot, an icy step you did not see. One second you are walking, the next you are on the ground wondering what just happened.
Most falls on ice end with bruises and a sore back for a few days. Some do not. What you do in the first 48 hours helps you tell the difference, and helps you recover well either way. This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are ever unsure, get checked by a doctor.
Right after the fall: do not rush to get up
Take a moment before you move. Check whether you can move your fingers, toes, arms and legs, and notice where it hurts. If you can, get up slowly by rolling onto your side, then onto your hands and knees, and use something stable to push up. Get out of the cold and somewhere safe as soon as you can.
If you cannot get up, if a limb looks out of shape, or if you hit your head hard, stay where you are and call for help.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you notice any of these
- You hit your head and have confusion, drowsiness, vomiting, a headache that keeps getting worse, a seizure, or you passed out, even briefly
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs
- Severe pain, a bone that looks out of place, or you cannot put weight on a leg
- Severe neck pain after landing on your head or neck
- You take blood thinners and hit your head, even if you feel fine
These can be signs of a head injury, a fracture or nerve involvement, and they need medical care first. For less urgent questions, you can call Health Link at 811 to speak with a registered nurse anytime in Alberta.
If you hit your head, see a doctor
Even if you feel okay, a blow to the head deserves a medical check. Concussion symptoms can show up hours later, and they are easy to brush off. Have someone stay with you for the first several hours if you can, and see a doctor for any head injury. A chiropractor is not the right first stop for a head injury.
The first 48 hours at home
If you have ruled out anything serious and you are dealing with the usual aches, bruises and stiffness, here is what helps most:
- Ice sore areas for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, with a towel between the ice and your skin, a few times a day. Our guide on ice or heat for back pain explains when to switch.
- Keep moving gently. Short walks around the house are better than lying in bed all day, which tends to make stiffness worse.
- Avoid heavy lifting, shovelling and anything that sharply increases the pain for the first couple of days.
- Ask a pharmacist or your doctor which pain relief is safe for you before taking anything.
- Write down what happened, where it hurts, and how it changes. It makes your next appointment much more useful.
Watch for pain that shows up later
Like a car accident, a hard fall can leave you feeling fine at first. Adrenaline masks pain, and stiffness often builds over the next day or two. Back pain, a stiff neck, or a headache from the base of the skull can all show up late. A sudden jolt from a fall can strain the neck in a similar way to whiplash. If any of the warning signs above appear later, get medical care right away.
Did you fall at work or on someone else’s property?
If you slipped at work, report it to your employer as soon as possible, even if it seems minor. Work injuries in Alberta are usually covered through WCB Alberta, and early reporting makes the claim much simpler. Our work injury rehab page explains how care works with a WCB claim.
If you fell in a parking lot, a store or on a neighbour’s walkway, take photos of the spot, note the date and time, and let the owner or property manager know. Keep any receipts and notes about your symptoms.
How chiropractic and massage can help afterwards
Once serious injury has been ruled out, many people are left with a stiff, sore back or neck that does not settle on its own. That is where we come in. At your first visit, Dr. Fayad asks how you fell, checks your movement, strength and reflexes, and screens for anything that needs a doctor before any treatment starts. If imaging or a medical referral makes more sense, he will tell you.
From there, care is built around what he finds:
- Chiropractic care to restore movement in stiff joints, with gentle low force options like the Activator Method if you are sore or nervous
- Massage therapy with our Registered Massage Therapists to release the muscles that tighten up to guard an injury
- Simple exercises to rebuild strength and movement at home
We commonly see back pain, neck pain and sciatica after falls. Recovery time varies from person to person, and we give you a realistic estimate after your assessment rather than a promise.
Staying on your feet the rest of the winter
- Wear boots with good tread, and consider ice cleats for walks and icy driveways.
- Walk like a penguin: short steps, feet a little apart, weight over your front foot.
- Keep your hands out of your pockets so you can catch yourself.
- Use handrails, and salt or sand your own steps and walkway.
- Take it slow getting in and out of the car, a common spot for slips.
And if winter means shovelling, our guide on how to shovel snow without hurting your back is worth a read too.
The bottom line
After a fall on ice, check yourself before you get up, go to the ER for any red flags, see a doctor for any head injury, and keep gently moving while the soreness settles. If your back or neck is still stiff and sore a few days later, get it assessed. No referral is needed, we offer direct billing to most plans, and same week appointments are usually available at our North Edmonton chiropractic clinic, 15152 127 St NW.