Question: I am 85 and I fell in the bathroom a few weeks ago. I did not break anything. My vital signs are good. But my whole body is stiff from the fall. What can I do to rid myself of this stiffness?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
Stiffness after a fall is caused by soft tissue contusion, strain, and injury as well as contusion to bone and surrounding tissue from the fall.
Stiffness may be relieved by cool packs initially for two to three days followed by warm packs after four days and topical liniments such as Zostrix.
At your age, I would discourage routine NSAID use, though a dose or two of Aleve may help your discomfort after you have cleared its use with your doctor. Remember many NSAID drugs should be avoided in older patients especially in those who take multiple prescription medications.
© 2026 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.