You feel uncomfortable when sitting, standing, or lying down for a long time as your lower back starts hurting. The lower back pain has become a constant part of your life.
There is no relief from the pain. If this is the condition then you might be suffering from tailbone pain. It’s a traumatizing situation.
There are various ways to get relief from such pain. There are some easy remedies that can provide you relief from this pain at the ease of your home. This article deals with the ways and home remedies to prevent tailbone pain.
Table of Contents
What Are The Causes Of Tailbone Pain(Coccydynia)
Tailbone pain is also known as coccydynia. It is caused by the inflammation of the coccyx and the surrounding tissue. The coccyx is the bony area present between the buttocks and the anus. The pain is related to swelling at the tip of tailbone and is mainly experienced in between the buttocks. You will feel it at the bottom of the spine.
The pain bothers a lot, whether mild or severe. It’s uncomfortable to sit in any position. You continuously move back and forth when sitting to find a comfortable position. Some of the prime causes of tailbone pain are as follows:
- It can be caused by long hours of sitting, injury, stress on the abdominal area, overweight, and childbirth.
- It can also be a result of a fall. Falling when sitting and hitting your back on the ground is a common cause of tailbone injury.
- In some cases, pregnancy can also be a cause of tailbone injury. It can fracture or injure the tip of the tailbone due to the weight gain during the different trimesters.
- Several sports like cycling, rowing, biking etc. can also cause tailbone injury. It is because repetitively they constraint on the lower spinal area.
- Infections at the bottom of the spine may also be a reason behind tailbone pain. It causes accumulation of pus which in turn causes pain.
- In rare cases, cancer may also lead to tailbone pain.
- An abnormal tissue growth in the base of the spine may also lead to pain. This condition is referred as a bone spur.
- Obesity or overweight can be another reason for tailbone pain.
- Sometimes, with age, the spine shows deterioration and cause tailbone pain.
However, tailbone pain can occur due to no reason also. It might for a small period or constant. Nevertheless, if you face severe pain do consult your doctor. But if you have mild to moderate pain, you can try out the home remedies.
Nothing is better than the natural cure. A few lifestyle changes and home remedies have shown significant changes to many. Don’t miss to try them out if you are a victim of tailbone pain.
Symptoms Of Tailbone Pain(Coccydynia)
Tailbone Pain comes with several discomforting signs. The signs or symptoms remain same in most of the people. Likewise, there severity and consistency may vary among individuals.
Some people who are in their late 40s may suffer from constant tailbone pain. On the other hand, young adults may feel it more during the evening times as they are tired by that time. Below, are the prime symptoms that are associated with the tailbone injury.
- Pain at the tip of tailbone or in coccygeal region. The pain aggravates especially while sitting and transiting from sitting to standing position. It may range from mild to severe. You may feel the pain all the time or periodically.
- Local tenderness at the tip of the tailbone. You may feel it from outside. It seems to be a small bulge.
- The pain becomes intense and sharp on touch or when putting some pressure on the coccyx. You can check this by pressing the area with your fingers.
- During constipation, the pain aggravates. You find difficult to pass your bowel. Nevertheless, after passing bowel you will better and at ease.
- Sitting in one position may be tormenting. It’s difficult to sit in one position for more than five minutes. You continuously move back and forth to find the best pain relieving position. You have to get up after every 15-20 minutes to get relief from the pain.
- It’s interrupting your daily activities. You find difficult to drive, work on a laptop, bend over, and do daily household chores.
- An unusual symptom is sitting on hard surface relieves you more than sitting on soft surfaces. It is because when you sit on a soft surface the body weight moves to your coccyx leading to sudden severe pain. Contrary, when you sit on a hard surface most of the body weight is on the pelvic bone and thus you feel comfortable with a relaxed coccyx.
- You find it difficult to sit and lean against the buttock. Like you can’t tie your lace, you can’t bend and pick up things.
Home Remedies For Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain can be treated easily during the initial mild stages. There are certain home remedies that cure and alleviate the pain. Some of the most powerful home remedies are described below:
1.Hot Compression
Heat compression works for almost all kind of pain. For this, take a hot water bag and put it on your tailbone. Keep the hot water bag for good 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can also put a warm towel on your tailbone if you don’t have a water bag.
But, you have to keep warming the towel with an iron as it cools down in few minutes. Carry out this remedy twice or thrice a day until your pain subsides. The remedy works by increasing the blood circulation in the pain-prone area and thereby relieving pain.
2.Cold Compress
It works best for providing instant pain relief. Place an ice bag in the pain-prone area. Keep it there for around 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap a few ice cubes in a towel if you don’t have ice bag. It provides relief within few minutes. It works by numbing the area.
3. Use Supportive pillows
The market has many variants of the supportive pillow. Sitting on a supportive pillow takes off the pressure from the coccyx. Sit in a proper position and a proper place. If possible use specially designed gel-filled pillows for reducing pain when sitting.
They come in various shapes like U shape, V shape, or wedge-shape. They work wonders for tailbone pain. With long-term use, they are effective to cure tailbone pain permanently. You can use them on your chair, in your car, when sitting on floor etc. They work by releasing the pressure joints from the coccyx and distributing it to other body parts.
Additionally, avoid long sitting hours. take a 10-minute walk after every hour. It relaxes the spine and prevents overexertion.
4.TENS Unit
Nowadays, the advanced technology has invented devices which may reduce your pain at the ease of your home without going to the doctor.
One such is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) units. It applies electric stimulation that interferes with the transmission of pain signals from the coccyx to the brain.
The device is a good option if you are someone who doesn’t prefer taking medications. There are many varieties of TENS units depending upon the usage. They provide instant relief.
However, medical science doesn’t recommend using these artificial methods of pain relief. This is why you should keep the usage to a normal level.
5.Dietary Changes
If you suffer from frequent constipation and your tailbone becomes worse with bowel movements, you should consider changing your diet. Increases the fiber and water intake in your diet. This will prevent constipation and thereby cause an easy bowel movement. Easy bowel movement, in turn, will relieve your pain.
6.Epsom Salt Bath
Add 2 cups of Epsom salt in a bucket filled with warm water. Mix them well. Take a bath with this water. You can carry this procedure twice a day for maximum relief.
Epsom salt is a very good detoxifying agent for the body. This process works as Epsom salt relaxes the body. It reduces the stress on the back muscles and decreases the pain.
7.Massage
Take any massage oil and massage the area for good 15 minutes. Be gentle while massaging. Don’t put too much pressure as it might aggravate the pain. You can carry the procedure any number of times. Regular use gives desirable results.
8.Clothing
Avoid wearing tight jeans or trousers as they may aggravate your tailbone pain. Prefer wearing loose-fitting bottoms that won’t put too much pressure on the coccyx. Additionally, wear comfortable shoes.
9.Sleeping
With this condition, you should always sleep on your sides. Sleeping on the right side is most desirable. Try keeping support pillows near your back and in between your knee to get optimum relief.
10. Essential Oils For Tailbone Pain
Many essential oils contain analgesic compounds that reduce pain. They have anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, or anti-spasmodic compounds to fight with pain.
They work by reducing the inflammation and tension of the muscles and thereby reducing pain. Essential oils prove very effective against chronic pain. Some of the prime essential oils that are used for tailbone pain are as follows:
a)Sweet Marjoram:
It has sedative compounds that help relieve muscle pain and muscle spasms, stiffness, etc. It soothes the tailbone area and provides optimum relief.
b)Tea Tree Oil:
It is an efficient cure especially if you have infected tailbone. The oil fastens the healing process. It has anti-bacterial properties to kill the bacteria’s which have caused infection.
c)Chamomile:
It is well-known essential oil solely meant to decrease the body inflammation. You can use it for your tailbone pain or your back pain. It works y reducing the inflammation on the tailbone and thus curing it of the root.
d)Lavender:
It is the most popular oil. It is known for pain relief and relaxation. It has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and sedative compounds. The compounds work for by reducing the muscle tension, spasm, pain, and stiffness. It is commonly known as an instant tailbone reliever.
e)Helichrysum:
This is a bit expensive oil, but totally worth the price. If you suffer from chronic tailbone pain, you should definitely try this remedy. The oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic. and antispasmodic properties. It works wonders to relieve pain. It releases up the pressure and inflammation from the muscles and provides a permanent cure to the problems.
f)Camphor:
From ancient times, camphor is being used as a pain reliever. It has natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil works by numbing the pain-prone area. It’s a good solution for instant relief. However, if you are looking for a permanent cure than this is not the best choice.
How To Use Essential Oils
Most of the essential oils are highly concentrated and too powerful to use on the skin directly. Always dilute them or mix with a base oil before use. Nevertheless, mixing them with a base oil is the most recommended way.
All the oils don’t work for everyone. If you feel one oil is not working for you, try another one. Some people may be allergic to few oils. More off, if you feel any allergy, discontinue the use immediately and consult your doctor. There are several ways to use essential oils. The most desired ways are as follows:
- Adding a few drops in the bath water. Mix it well and take a bath with it.
- Mixing them up with few bath gels, massage oils, baby lotions, or balms. It is to dilute them. Diluted oil can be applied to the skin directly.
- Never apply concentrated oil to the skin directly as it may cause a skin rash or burn. For this, mix 10 drops of essential oil with the base.
- Gently massage them on the affected area. Dip a cotton in the oil and apply it on your tailbone.
- You can carry the procedure 3-5 times a day. For optimum relief and cure, be regular with the application.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Tailbone Pain
In Ayurveda, tailbone pain is often referred to as Gudagata Vata. Ayurveda says it’s an unhealthy Vata(conditions) that affects the Guda. In Ayurvedic terms, Guda is the anal, buttock or sacrococcygeal area. It’s like a syndrome that captures the lower body parts through the large intestine.
Ayurveda says Pitta or Kapha doshas are associated with coccydynia. The Ayurveda has internal and external methods of treating the condition. The method of local or external treatment for tailbone in Ayurveda is termed as Sthanika.
The method of internal treatment for tailbone in Ayurveda is termed as Abhyantara Chikitsa. Both the methods along with their treatment process are explained below:
1.Sthanika
The local treatment is done by massaging the pain-prone area with a medicated oil. The oil used for this are Mahanarayana Tailam, Pinda Tailam, Ksheerabala Tailam, Nurivenna, Pinda Tailam etc. This treatment is more like a massage therapy or aromatherapy. This treatment can be done in the following ways:
a.Abhyanga:
This treatment involves massaging the body with huge amounts of oil. The oil used for this is often medicated with certain herbs that treat the condition. The message is done depending on the severity of the pain.
Massage is done with slow hands and in a circular motion. With massage, the healing compounds are absorbed in the skin. These compounds on being absorbed rejenuavate the body muscles from inside.
b.Kati Vasti:
This treatment is effective for the entire lower back. In this method, warm thick oil is applied over the entire lower back and all over the spine for a certain amount of time. The massage is done in and around the lumbosacral region.
Next, a reservoir is built out of black gram dough in the lumbosacral area. The reservoir is leak-proof. Next, a lukewarm medicated oil is poured into the reservoir slowly. The oil is allowed to rest inside the reservoir for around 45 minutes. The oil is pooled till the coccygeal part.
c.Avagaha:
It is a bathing process. A tub bath or sitz bath is prepared. The patient is made to sit in the tub filled with medicated oil. The herbal water is prepared using herbs selected as per the disease and the body type of the patient. The water is kept for boiling for 10-15 minutes and then mixed in 100ml of water. The medicated liquid is referred to as DRAVADRAVYA. For the coccygeal part, the medicated water is prepared by mixing milk with Dashamula and Laksha.
2.Abhyantara Chikitsa
In this method, the condition is treated from inside. Certain Ayurvedic medicines are given for curing and alleviating the tailbone pain. The ways by which the process is done are as follows:
a.Snehapana:
In this some medicated oil, ghee is consumed orally. They are prepared in specific doses and thus are called Snehapana. It is effective to heal the muscle trauma, pain, and rejenuvate the tissues, bones, and the joints.The common medicines to treat this condition are Rasandi Ghirtam, Guggulutiktaka Ghritam.
b.Virechana:
It is defined as the purgation therapy which cleanses the Pitta and purifies the blood. It flushes out all the toxins from the body. It uses herbal laxatives to do so. This one is a powerful treatment for reducing body heat, liver congestion, and body inflammation.
It is done administering daily doses of ayurvedic oils or ghee. Additionally, they ease the bowel movement, enhances metabolism, improves blood circulation, detoxifies the body, and manages the Vayu.
Controlling the Vayu control pain to a greater extent. With the increased metabolism, the coccyx and sacrum pressure is reduced which in turn relieves the pain. Some of the medicines which are used for this purpose are Gandharvahastadi Eranda Tailam and Nimbamritadi Eranda Tailam
c.Vasti:
It is an effective technique in Ayurveda. It removes the entire toxins from the body. It is done using medicated liquids and oils. The oils or liquids are passed via anus or vagina to expel out the toxins.
They control and remove out all the vata disorders from the body. Additionally, it also increases the body’ metabolism, soothes the nerves, and enhances the immune system. The medicines used in this treatment are Erandamuladi Kashaya Vasti, Dashamula Kashaya Vasti and Matra Vasti with Guggulutiktaka G.
Yoga Poses For Tail Bone Pain
Yoga Asanas or poses show effective results against tailbone pain. They work by strengthening the spine, pelvis, and the hips. If these poses are performed on a regular basis, they are sure to give you satisfying results.
Nevertheless, they take time to show results. When these Yoga Asanas are performed for months than they relief and cure the tailbone pain. Multiple people got permanent relief from the tailbone pain after carrying out these exercises. A few effective exercises that will surely give you effective results are given below:
1.Shalabhasana (Locust Posture)
Shalabhasana asana is named after the tropic grasshoppers with powerful flight. So, it is done for enhancing the power and energy.
How Will It Benefit You?
It works on the cardiovascular and circulatory system. It increases the blood circulation in the tailbone area and also stretches up the hip flexors. Thereby, it alleviates the tailbone pain.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Lie down on your stomach. Breath into your belly.
2.Rest your hands below your body with the palms facing down and fingertips pointing towards your feet.
3.Keep pressing the pelvis with your hands.
4.Lift your legs and bring the toe fingers away from your hip line.
5.Make sure your nose faces the mat and the face and the neck are parallel to the floor.
6.Strech your legs and lift them up slowly. Lengthen your legs and lift them slowly upward.
7.Keep pressing the hip flexors and the lower abdomen into the mat. It is to protect the back.
8.Cautious not to bend your neck.
9.After a few seconds, exhale and lower down your upper body, lower body, and head.
10.Relax and repeat the exercise for a couple of times
2.Mulabandhasana (Root Lock)
Mulabandhasana aims to control the energy source. it works by contracting the pelvic muscles.
How Will It Benefit You?
This asana will help you control your body which will eventually decrease the body’s misalignments and cause a surge of energy in you. It strengthens the pelvic area and thereby reduces the tailbone pain. Additionally, it also relaxes the mind and body.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Comfortably sit on your buttocks. Keep your legs folded in such a way that your feet meet in front of your groin. Your position will resemble the butterfly position.
2.After this, lift your body weight slowly. While lifting, the pressure should be on the upper feet. Contract the entire pelvic floor.
3.Be cautious, keep your spine straight.
4.Breath normally. You will feel the pelvic muscles.
5.After that, in the same position hold your breath for a couple of seconds and exhale.
6.Break the lock and repeat the step.
7.Perform this exercise a few times to get relief from tailbone pain
3. Balasana (Child Pose)
Balasana is an easy and relaxing pose. It is best if you are a beginner. It is aimed to relax the body and eliminate fatigue.
How Will It Benefit You?
Child pose stretches up the spine, ankle, hips, and shoulders. With the stretch, your tailbone is relaxed and the pressure from it is released. The release of pressure further calms down the pain. More off, it won’t only benefit from tailbone pain but also reduce neck and back pain if any.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Place your heels on the floor. Join your toes and keep your heels apart.
2.Bend forward slowly and inhale. Lower the forehead and touch it to the floor. Keep your hand upward alongside your body. The palm should face the floor.
3.Slowly, bend forward by lowering your forehead to touch the floor, exhaling as you do so.
4.After maintaining the pose, press your chest on the thighs.
5.Keep resting in the same position for around 30 seconds.
6.Get up, and release the pose.
7.Perform the asana for a couple of times to get optimum relief.
4.Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose)
Bhujangasana resembles the posture of a cobra with its mouth raised. It stretches the muscles shoulder, neck, and chest.
How Will It Benefit You?
It works on the back and relieves the discomfort in the muscles of the neck, back, and the abdomen. It also relieves constipation. The flexibility of the spine and around it increases. The asana relaxes the entire spinal area from top to bottom and thereby relieve the tailbone pain.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Lie down on the stomach. Place your hands on the side and toes touching together.
2.Raise your hands up to shoulder level with your palms resting on the floor.
3.Raise your upper body and the head taking the support of your palm. Bent your arm at the elbows.
4.Bend your neck slightly. It will resemble like a cobra.
5. Breath normally. You will feel the muscles pull on the stomach.
6.Hold the asana for few seconds.
7. Release the pose. Bring your hands to the side and rest your forehead on the floor.
8.Repeat the process a couple of times to get optimum relief.
5.Danurasana (Bow Pose)
Danurasana is a bow pose. During this pose, your body will resemble like a bow.
How Will It Benefit You?
It is a gentle backbend stretch. It strengthens the entire back and the tailbone muscles together. Relaxing the tailbone muscles relieves the pain.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Lie down on your stomach. Place your arms on the side and your forehead on the floor.
2.Bend your knees and hold your toes. If you can’t hold your toes than just reach out the ankles.
3.After this inhale, bring your torso upward. Your entire upper body should not be placed on the floor. Only your knees should lie on the floor.
4.Stay in the position for few seconds.
5.Exhale and rest your body on the ground.
6.Perform the pose quite a few times to get optimum results.
6. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Triangle pose is a standing asana meant to relieve the entire body. It is performed on one side.
How Will It Benefit You?
The pose strengthens the legs and also stabilizes the spine and tailbone. It does so by opening up the hips. It also stretches the hamstring and thus provides relief to the entire lower abdomen.
How To Perform The Asana?
1.Keep your feet wide apart and stand straight. Point your toes outward.
2.Maintain the posture. Inhale and lift one of your hand up. With the other hand touch the toe. If your right hand is touching your toe and left is up then bend your torso towards the right and vice versa.
3.Go down as much as your body allows. Be cautious don’t bend your knee. You can feel the pull in the other torso.
4.Maintain the posture for a few seconds. Exhale and come back in the standing position.
5.Repeat the process again on the other side.
6.Carry out the asana for both sides quite a few times.
Exercises For Coccydynia
Exercises for tailbone pain are meant to relax the muscles in an around the coccyx region. The most effective exercise for tailbone are given below:
1.Bending Stretch
It focuses on the entire upper body. It stretches the back and thereby provides relief.
How to do it?
1.Stand straight. Stretch your hand upwards and start bending from your waist.
2.Bend as much as you can. It would be excellent if you can touch your toes with your hand. Be cautious, not to bend your knees or legs while stretching.
- Hold the position for 5-10 seconds. Next come back to standing position.
- Repeat the exercise for around 5 times. Slowly and gradually increases the number of time for best results.
2.Lunges (Knee and Groin Stretch)
It is best for people who sit for a prolonged time. It aims at stretching the tailbone muscles which become stiff when sitting for long.
How to do it?
1.Kneel down. Stretch one of your legs, lowering your hips. The forward leg is positioned with knee bent and foot flat on the ground. The other half leg just below the knee is rested on the ground. Both the knees should be at a 9- degree angle.
2.Keep your upper body straight and your shoulders at the back.
3.Hold the position for few seconds. Start with another leg in the same manner.
- Repeat the cycle 4-5 times. Slowly and gradually increase the number of time for best results.
3.Walking
When sitting for long hours, the coccyx gets pushed and blocked in a wrong manner leading to muscle spasm. To unblock the coccyx, walking at a fast speed for hours helps a lot. It relaxes the muscles that are blocking the coccyx. Unblocking relieves pain.
How to do it?
Wear your shoes. Go to an open area or a park. Start walking fast. Initially, start walking for around 20 minutes. Slowly and gradually increases your time.
4.Leg Stretch
This stretch works on the thigh muscles and the bottom muscles of the spine which are very near to the coccyx region. All these muscles are stretched and relaxed during the stretch.
How to do it?
1.Sit with your legs stretched forward.
2.Lift your hands up and start bending from the waist.
- Bend till your fingers touch the toes. However, if you can’t touch your toes touch your calf.
4.Stay in the position for few seconds.
5.Exhale and come back to the sitting posture again.
- Perform the stretch for around 5times. Slowly increase the number of time.
5.Weightless squat
Squats are an excellent exercise for the lower body. It keeps your feet strong and aligns the knees and hips properly. While squatting the spine becomes straight and the bend coccyx returns to its normal shape. This reduces the pressure and pain too.
How to do it?
1.Stand on your feet with shoulder width apart. Engage your core muscle, push your chest slightly forward.
- Bend your knees. Push your buttocks out. Act as if you are sitting on a chair.
3.Maintain your weight on heels. Be cautious, that your knees are over your toes. Don’t bend your knees beyond your toes.
4.Stay in the position for few seconds.
5.Release the posture and stand straight.
6.Repeat it 5-6 times. Slowly and steadily increases the number of desirable results.
How To Diagnose Coccydynia Pain
Coccydynia pain is generally diagnosed by obtaining a full medical history and a complete physical examination. With these two processes, the pain is easy to diagnose and start the medical treatment. However, in some rare cases, a few diagnostic test and injections are used for complete diagnosis and treatment.
Initial Diagnosis
At first, the medical history is obtained. It includes information about the symptoms, daily routine, and the time period of symptoms. The patient would also be asked for any injury, exercises, and eating habits. The patients BMI is also calculated.
Next, comes the physical examination. A doctor touches the coccyx region to look for local tenderness and swelling. Palpitation is also checked to identify the cysts, tumors, or coccygeal spicules. Additionally, in few cases, the intrarectal examination is also undertaken. The doctor alters the coccyx manually via the rectum to assess the mobility of the sacrococcygeal joint. It is also used to assess the muscle tension in the is around the pelvic region that connects to the coccyx.
Thus, the examinations are assessed on the tenderness and palpation of the coccyx. If it does not exist it is referred to as a pain in another part of the spine.
Diagnostic Tests for Coccydynia
Generally, they are not needed. However, for chronic conditions, it is better to go for such tests. They determine how the pain is caused and the best ways to decrease it. The major diagnostic tests done for tailbone pain are as follows:
Dynamic X-ray imaging tests:
The test includes dynamic X-ray imaging in two positions. One when the patient is sitting and the other when the patient is standing. The images are compared. The angle of the pelvic rotation and the alteration of coccyx region is closely examined. If these angles lie beyond the normal range that is between 5-25 degree than the coccygeal movement is known as the cause of the pain.
Coccygeal discogram:
It starts by injecting local anesthesia in the sacrococcygeal region. he aims is to target a particular area of the spine. It can be an invertebral joint or disc. It tells the exact location of where the pain is initiating.
CT or MRI scan:
This is done in the rarest case. MRI scan takes a static image of the coccyx. It is done when a doctor suspects the cause of tailbone pain is a tumor, fracture, infection, or abnormal mobility of the sacrococcygeal joint.
It does not give very accurate results. So, it is carried out only when all other examinations fail to give the actual cause of the pain.
Blood tests:
The patient is asked for blood tests when the doctor feels there is a possibility of tumor or tailbone infection. For this, a guaiac stool test is done. This test determines if the issue initiates from the gastrointestinal tract.
How To Treat Tailbone Pain?
The medical treatment of tailbone pain includes medication and rarely it may be a surgical intervention too.
Some of the medical processes that are carried by the medical professional for treating tailbone pain are as follows:
- Initially, doctors recommend taking painkillers. However, if over-the-counter medication arse not working the patient is given narcotic pain medication.
- Along with the pain-relieving medication stool softeners medications are also given to prevent constipation and allow easy bowel movement.
- For persistent coccyx pain, injections of local anesthetics or corticosteroids are given into the coccyx area. They are given when none of the medications are showing their effect.
- In severe cases, an internal rectal exam is carried out. It aims at moving the coccyx back to the proper position and alignment.
- When the cause of coccyx pain is a cyst, removal or drainage of cyst is the best-required option.
- For the infected tailbone, antibiotics are given to eliminate and reduce the bacteria’s.
- Along with the medications, few patients are recommended to undergo physical therapy. It is for the people who do have an internal injury, cyst, or tumor.
- In rare cases, a surgical intervention is done for treating coccyx pain. In this, the coccyx is removed surgically. However, this is the last option as the surgery is accompanied with some risks of infection and slow wound healing.
How To Prevent Tailbone Injuries/Pain
Tailbone pain is majorly caused due to lifestyle patterns and unhealthy eating habits. There are several ways to prevent such pain and injuries. A few of them are classified below:
1.If your job requires you to sit at one place for a prolonged time, you should try to find out time in between for mobility. Stand up take a five-minute walk after every hour. This will give time to your spine to straighten up and relax. It also prevents overburdening of the spine.
2.Maintain a correct posture. Don’t curve your back while sitting. Keep your spine straight and head forward while working. A wrong sitting position is a major cause of tailbone injury. It is because while sitting if we bend forwards, it’s the coccygeal region that curves up. Curving causes pain and inflammation. So, maintain the correct posture prevents tailbone injury/
3)Exercise regularly. Take out 30 minutes and do any mild to an intense form of exercise. Always start your exercise with warm-up and end with a cool down. It strengthens your muscle and relaxes your body too.
4) Practice yoga. Yoga is an effective way to cure and prevent muscles inflammation and stiffness. In yoga, the asanas deeply stretch the muscles. Stretching of muscles removes the pressure and eliminates pain and injury.
5) Be cautious while playing a sport or performing physical activities. If you are a sports lover, prefer wearing all the sports gears as they prevent injury. While performing physical activity don’t push yourself too much. Overexerting might be a cause of injury. DO everything as per your body.
What Is The Treatment Of Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain is generally treated with medication. The health-care professional give medicines to relieve pain and cure the condition. The common steps taken for medical treatment are as follows:
- In select cases, a health-care provider may prescribe narcotic pain medication for severe coccyx pain not relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
- Stool softeners medications may be needed to prevent constipation.
- Injections of local anesthetics or corticosteroids into the coccyx area may be performed in cases of continued coccyx pain that do not respond to other conservative treatment measures.
- Manipulation of the coccyx may be attempted to move the coccyx into the proper position and alignment.
- If the cause of the pain is a pilonidal cyst, incision and drainage of the cyst may be required.
- Infection of the tailbone may require antibiotics.
- Physical therapy may be recommended and helpful for some individuals.
- Rarely, in very select cases, the coccyx may be surgically removed (coccygectomy). However, surgical risks such as infection and poor wound healing may occur, and in some cases, removal of the coccyx may not provide the expected long-term pain relief.
FAQ’s
When Should Someone Seek Medical Care for Tailbone Pain?
If your pain doesn’t disappear after a few weeks and is interrupting your daily activities, you should see the doctor. If the pain comes only for few minutes and especially at nights.
It may be due to overexertion. Try resting for few days and try out home remedies our exercises. Mild pain can be treated at home itself with few lifestyle changes.
However, if you feel the pain 24/7 from about a week, going to the doctor is the best choice. It is because it may be due to some severe injury or infection.
Curing things at the initial stage is always good. A doctor will find out the exact reasons and treat you accordingly. Initially, the doctor may recommend massage, physiotherapy, yoga, etc.
How To Relieve Tailbone Pain While Sleeping?
Many people trouble with sleeping when having tailbone pain. To prevent discomfort, try sleeping on your side. You can sleep on either left or right side. Additionally, you can use support pillows for extra comfort.
Place a pillow just near your back to support your spine. However, if you prefer sleeping on your back, you can place a soft pillow or a towel under your spine just below the pain area to give support. It relieves the pain and provides good sleep.
You can also try to keep the pillow between the knees as it straightens and relaxes the spine and the lower abdominal area. More off, prefer taking a hot water bath just before going to bed to relax your muscle and have a peaceful sleep.
How to sleep with tailbone pain during pregnancy?
Tailbone pain is very common during pregnancy. It is due to the hormonal changes that relax and stretches the pelvic floor, which also moves to the coccyx and results in tailbone pain. Additionally, the growing baby exerts pressure on the spin and tailbone which also leads to pain and discomfort.
When sleeping the tailbone hurts the most. As you are pregnant you can’t sleep on your stomach. The best way to relieve pain during pregnancy is sleeping on the sides. Prefer sleeping on your left side with a support pillow between the knees. Doctors recommend sleeping in this position throughout pregnancy.
It is because it is good for blood circulation and metabolism. Additionally, you can also buy special pregnancy pillows. They support your entire body and provide full body relief. However, they are little costly if your budget allows do buy them for a good night sleep.
How to relieve tailbone pain while sitting?
For this, first of all, analyze when you feel comfortable when sitting on a hard surface or on a soft surface. Most of the people, feel comfortable when sitting on a hard surface as the pressure points are distributed equally in and around the pelvic area.
However, it’s up to you where you find relief. When possible, sit on surfaces that prevent worsening of the pain.
Now, there are many kinds of pillows available for tailbone pain in the market. Place these pillows just below the buttocks to provide optimum relief to the pain. Buy a pillow that is neither too soft or not to hard. More off, maintain a proper posture when sitting.
Don’t curve your back, keep your back straight and head forward when sitting. This prevents curving the spine and the coccyx and thus preventing pain when sitting.
Best Foods To Eat For Tailbone Pain
Doctors suggest to eat high fiber rich food and drink plenty of water during tailbone pain. Tailbone pain worsens if you suffer from constipation or find difficult to pass stool.
Eating fiber-rich food aids in digestion and easy bowel movement. It softens the stool and thus prevents worsening of the pain when passing the bowel.
Additionally, try causing food that aids in relieving pain. There are many super foods that take off that achy feeling of pain when consumed. Caffeine is one such superfood that relaxes your mind and body.
Some more superfoods are chamomile tea, green tea, ginger, turmeric, and oily fish that aids to relieve pain. They don’t work only on the tailbone but work on the entire body to provide relief and relaxation.
How Long Tailbone Pain Last
A tailbone pain is very painful and slow to heal. The healing time and pain patterns depend on the severity and the cause of the pain. If the pain is mild to moderate and is caused due to overexertion and wrong sitting patterns, it may go off with a few weeks.
However, mild to moderate pain goes off with physiotherapy, yoga, and exercises done on a regular basis. It does not go off on its own, some sort of treatment is done for its cure.
The pain occurring due to an internal injury, infection, or tumor takes around 4 weeks to heal. However, the healing time varies with the severity of the injury. An injury occurred by a sudden fall heals within 3-4 f weeks.
If you met with an accident and have fractured your tailbone, the healing time will take around 8-12 weeks. A tumor if invasive requiring a surgery may take around two to three months to heal. So, the healing time is directly related to the cause of pain.
