Tailbone Pain – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The tailbone is the lowest part of the spine and is scientifically known as coccyx. Tailbone pain is referred to as coccydynia, which worsens when being inactive or hyperactive for longer periods of time as it puts pressure on the bottom of the spine and the pelvis. According to Los Angeles Spine Surgeons, women are more likely to experience coccydynia than men.
Causes
Coccydynia has many causes including local trauma, childbirth, severe falls, surgery, sports injury, and prolonged sitting that puts strain on the tailbone. It has recently become a lifestyle problem all over the world because people are getting less mobile by sitting at one spot for long hours and less to no exercise. When coccydynia occurs, it often worsens by sitting and performing activities that put pressure on the coccyx.
Typically, the following factors contribute to coccydynia.
1. Local Trauma
Falling on the tailbone can cause inflammation in the ligaments or damage the coccyx. This is the most common cause of coccydynia.
2. Childbirth
The baby’s head passes through the area over the tailbone during deliver and creates pressure against tailbone that sometimes causes injury to the mother’s coccyx structure, including ligaments, discs, and bones. The pressure can also, but rarely, cause coccyx fracture.
3. Tumor
Coccydynia is rarely caused by tumors or infections that occur in the spine or spread to the tailbone.
4. Pressure
Some activities, when performed excessively for longer periods of time, can put pressure on the tailbone like sitting on a rigid surface or riding a horse back may result in the onset of tailbone pain. These causes do not usually cause persistent pain, but if the symptoms are not managed immediately, it may become crippling.
5. Prolonged Sitting
Sitting continuously, like at a desk job, can cause chronic coccydynia, which is presently found in 60 to 70 percent of back pain cases. Accidents like falling from stairs, bike, or skateboard may even result in coccyx fracture.
Symptoms
Coccydynia major symptoms include acute pain when standing from sitting, sitting on a hard surface, high-intensity pain around the tailbone or pelvis, sensitivity to light finger pressure on the coccyx that shoots the pain down the legs.
Feeling a severe wave of pain during bowel movements and even before, during, or after sexual intercourse in both men and women are some other symptoms.
Treatments
Coccydynia is generally treated by noninvasive methods. Typically, the treatments include the usual techniques like;
1. Taking non steroidal and anti inflammatory medications, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and COX
2 inhibitors as prescribed by the doctor, aid in relieving inflammation around the tailbone area, which is typically the pain causing factor.
2. Applying heat or cold compress to the affected are several times a day for a week may alter the affect. Alternating heat and cold compress may provide faster relief.
3. Avoiding sitting for longer hours and reducing any added pressure on the area can help prevent the pain. Doing effective exercise on a regular basis may further benefit at treating the pain.
5. A soft, custom pillow can help take off the pressure from the tailbone when sitting and provide comfort to the area.
According to the experts of Los Angeles Spine Surgery, 90 percent of cases find success in noninvasive methods of treatment. The remaining 10 percent may need to undergo surgery as suggest by their surgeon for permanent relief.
