Why tailbone hurts and what to do about it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Be sure to see your doctor if the pain persists for more than two weeks.

The tailbone is the lowest, tail-like part of the spine, consisting of 3-4 fused vertebrae.

The tail is very small. Some even consider it a rudiment, that is, a part of the body that we inherited from some tailed ancestors and is absolutely unnecessary for modern man. However, the tailbone has a number of important functions. Understanding and Treating Tailbone Pain. For example, it helps stabilize your weight when you are sitting. In addition, the tailbone holds many tendons, muscles and ligaments that are involved in the genitourinary system and intestines. Also, part of the muscle bundles of the gluteus maximus muscle is attached to it - the one that is necessary for hip extension.

Given all this functional load, it is not surprising that sometimes the tailbone starts to ache. And then it makes itself felt with bouts of fairly severe pain. There can be many reasons for coccygodynia (the so-called coccyx pain in scientific language).

When to see a doctor as soon as possible

Coccyx pain is rarely dangerous. In most cases, it goes away by itself - however, sometimes after weeks or even months. Tailbone pain: How can I relieve it? … But there are situations that require medical supervision.

Immediately Why does my tailbone hurt? contact a traumatologist, or even call an ambulance if pain in the tailbone appeared after a fall or other blow and is accompanied by:

• numbness in the lumbar region and pelvis;
• extensive bruising;
• noticeable discomfort when moving, loss of coordination;
• distinct tingling in the coccyx and surrounding areas.

You do not need to call an ambulance, but plan a visit to a therapist or surgeon in the near future if:

• tailbone pain does not go away for a week or two;
• painful sensations that decrease and seem to disappear, then return again;
• in addition to pain, you have a fever;
• you observe other strange symptoms - lower back pain, lack of coordination, discomfort when bending-extending the legs, constipation, and so on.

Most likely, nothing terrible happens to you. But the doctor must conduct an examination to rule out potentially dangerous diseases.

Why tailbone hurts and what to do about it

Here are some of the most common causes of Coccydynia (tailbone pain). Causes of coccygodynia.

1. Fall or hit

Any falls on the buttocks - whether you jumped on a skateboard or slipped into the ice - can potentially lead to a bruise, dislocation, or even a fracture of the tailbone.

What to do

If the pain in the tailbone appeared after a fall or blow and it really bothers you, look to the therapist, traumatologist or surgeon. X-rays may be needed to check the condition of this part of the spine.

2. Prolonged sitting position

The tailbone often begins to hurt if you sit on a hard bench for too long or, on the contrary, in an overly soft chair. An uncomfortable posture is also an important factor in the onset of coccygodynia.

What to do

More often than not, it is enough to change the position for the pain to decrease or disappear altogether. For the future, try not to sit in one place for a long time. This puts more stress on the spine and is not conducive to overall health.

3. Pregnancy and childbirth

The tailbone, as well as the muscles and ligaments that it holds, become elastic and flexible by the end of pregnancy. This allows the lower spine to bend and pass through the baby's pelvis during labor.

However, sometimes during childbirth, excessive stretching of the muscles and ligaments occurs. Because of this, young mothers experience pain in the coccyx area.

In addition, during difficult natural childbirth, the tailbone can be damaged - up to cracks or fractures. This happens very rarely, but this situation should also be borne in mind.

What to do

Monitor painful sensations. If they do not decrease by 2-3 days after childbirth, be sure to consult with the observing doctor and follow his recommendations.

4. Repetitive strain injury

The risk of coccygodynia is increased if you regularly engage in sports such as cycling or rowing. During exercise, the body tilts forward cyclically. This stretches the muscles and ligaments around the tailbone.

You may not notice it at first, but over time the tension builds up. As a result, it can damage muscles and ligaments that no longer hold the tailbone in the correct position. This will cause chronic pain and discomfort.

What to do

See a therapist or traumatologist. The healthcare provider will suggest symptomatic treatment to reduce pain. You may be prescribed muscle relaxants, drugs that help your muscles relax. Massage can also be effective.

5. Overweight or underweight

If you weigh too much, your body may put excessive pressure on your tailbone when you are sitting.

Being too thin is also not easy: they do not have enough gluteal fat to relieve the pressure of the tailbone on the surrounding tissues. All this can cause coccygodynia.

What to do

First of all - to bring body weight to a healthy rate. The second important recommendation has already been voiced above: try not to spend too much time sitting.

6. Aging

With age, the tailbone becomes denser, becomes more rigid and can painfully press on the surrounding tissue.

Also, over the years, the intervertebral discs wear out - including the one with which the tailbone is attached to the spine. As a result, any load on the "tail" becomes painful.

What to do

See a therapist. Your doctor will advise you on how to relieve pain. Perhaps he will prescribe painkillers, including in the form of injections. Physical therapy (such as warming up or acupuncture) and exercise therapy can also be helpful.

7. Infections and tumors

An extremely rare, but still possible option. Coccygodynia can be provoked by infections that have arisen at the base of the spine or the soft tissues surrounding the coccyx. The culprit is also cancer - bone or metastatic (developed in some other part of the body and metastases to the tailbone).

What to do

If you have no idea why your tailbone hurts, but you experience significant discomfort for more than 1-2 weeks, consultation with a therapist is required. However, we already wrote it above.

How to reduce tailbone pain at home

We repeat once again: in the vast majority of cases, the pain in the tailbone goes away by itself. Until she disappears, you can alleviate the condition in the following ways:

• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. For example, based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Apply a cold compress to the tailbone area for 10-15 minutes. This can be a heating pad with cool water or an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth.
• Sit less and move more.
• Use your fingers to self-massage the area around the tailbone. This will help relax tense muscles.
• If your health condition allows, do Pilates or yoga. These techniques include stretching exercises to help relax the muscles surrounding the tailbone.