How To Treat Tailbone Pain  – Coccydynia

At the very base of your spine lies your tailbone, which is medically referred to as your coccyx. Pain or discomfort that develops in this region is known as coccydynia, and it can be quite uncomfortable given how often we sit down throughout the day. But what typically causes coccydynia to develop, and what are some of the most effective treatments? We explore those answers and more in today’s blog.

Causes And Symptoms Of Coccydynia

Almost all causes of coccydynia stem from some sort of trauma to the region. If you slip and fall and land on your backside, your coccyx can bruise and inflame in response to the direct trauma. Falling on your backside or incurring direct trauma during athletic activity are the most common causes of coccydynia, but there are other ways the area can be traumatized as well. Repetitive stress can also eventually irritate or inflame structures in the area, which is why truckers and farmers who are regularly jostled while driving a truck or tractor are at an increased risk of coccydynia.

Another group of people who are at a heightened risk for coccydynia are expectant and new mothers. Pregnancy-related bodily changes place an increased amount of strain on the pelvic region, and then there is the childbirth process itself. Childbirth is incredibly traumatic on the coccyx region, and women can experience anything from mild bruising to a full fracture of the coccyx bones.

Coccydynia is commonly associated with pain or discomfort in the tailbone region when putting pressure on the area, but other symptoms can include:

• General soreness
• Tenderness
• Worsening pain when leaning back in a seated position
• Difficulty transitioning from sitting to standing or vice versa

Diagnosing And Treating Coccydynia

If you’ve suffered trauma to the tailbone region, it’s certainly possible that you may be able to treat the problem on your own. Surgery is rarely recommended for injuries to the tailbone, so oftentimes you’ll simply be asked to pursue conservative treatments to help the healing process along. Your goal will be to protect the area and minimize discomfort while the healing process runs its course. Oftentimes this will involve a combination of the following treatments

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Pillows or similar cushioned seated devices
• Ice packs
• Heating packs
• Activity modifications (standing work station, etc.)

There’s not much you can do to speed up the healing process, but you can prevent a prolonged recovery by keeping the above tips in mind. Continuing to stress the area can lead to increased inflammation and a slower recovery. Also, some patients find it helpful to be more mindful about their diets while the healing process is running its course. Bowel movements can be uncomfortable while you’re working to overcome a tailbone injury, so consuming a fiber-rich diet and staying hydrated can help to avoid constipation and more bowel issues. Most patients make a full recovery from their tailbone issue within a few weeks, but total recovery can take a couple of months depending on the extent of your injuries.

Pain in the butt can be a real pain in the butt, so make sure you are pursuing effective treatments so that you can have a timely resolution to your coccydynia. And if you want professional help overcoming a tailbone issue or other spine problem, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.