The tailbone is a small, multi-segmented bone that resides at the bottom of the spine, above the buttocks. The bone helps to stabilise us when we sit, and numerous ligaments, tendons, and muscles all intertwines around the area. The tailbone is understood clinically as the coccyx, and pain in the coccyx area is called coccydynia. So, when pondering the question– why does my tailbone hurt? It is often due to injury or injury at the coccyx area, although this is not always the cause. This post will highlight the possible causes of pain, along with approaches of relief.
Why Does My Tailbone Hurt?
As mentioned, pain in the tailbone, or coccydynia, is caused by damage to the coccyx, or injury to the surrounding tissue of the coccyx, which causes pain at the base of the spinal cord, which is especially notable when trying to take a seat. Various causes can result in this discomfort, most of which are detailed listed below:
1. Coccyx Injury
Injury to the coccyx takes place when a specific suffers a powerful influence on the base of their spine. This can take place various ways, including:
- During a sports game
- Dropping whilst taking part in activities such as snowboarding
- Falling from an elevated position, such as falling off of a horse
- Falling off a trampoline and landing on the floor/side bars
Less commonly, coccydynia can be caused by sexual relations. When the coccyx ends up being injured, it is typically only bruised, although if the effect that caused the injury was severe enough, it can result in a dislocation of the coccyx, or perhaps cause the bone to fracture.
2. RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
If you repeat a motion or stay in a position for too long of a time (tailbone pain from sitting), you can cause damage to your body. This is called recurring strain injury. Those who participate in sports such as biking, or rowing, are at risk of establishing coccydynia as a result of RSI, according to iytmed.com. This is due to the fact that the action of leaning forward, stretching the spine’s base, when repeated many times at high strength, can cause the muscles and ligaments in the coccyx to stretch and strain. Constant straining of these muscles and ligaments will make them not able to hold the coccyx in its proper position, which causes pain in the area.
3. Undesirable Body Weight
Why does my tailbone hurt? The response can be as simple as being overweight or underweight. Individuals who are obese might place an excess amount of pressure upon their coccyx when they sit down, which can lead co coccydynia. On the other end of the spectrum, those who are underweight may develop coccydynia, as they do not have enough fat within their buttocks to secures the coccyx and prevent it rubbing versus surrounding tissue.
4. Aging
As we age, it is possible for the cartilage around the coccyx (which holds it in place) to use down. In addition to this, the bones that consist of the coccyx might become more firmly and compactly fused together. Both of these circumstances can result in pain in the area.
5. Giving Birth
During pregnancy, a hormone is released in the 3rd trimester that enables the coccyx to end up being more flexible, ready for child birth. In some circumstances, giving birth can cause overstretching of the muscles and ligaments around the coccyx, which modifies their position and leads to coccydynia.
6. More Serious Causes
Although uncommon, coccydynia can be caused by some cancers. Cancer that begins in a person’s bones, called sarcoma (an extremely rare type of cancer), can cause coccydynia, as well as cancer that originated in other parts of the body and has infected the bones, known as metastatic cancer.
7. Other Causes
Just riding a bike can cause coccydynia
In individuals who are middle-aged or older, arthritis of the tailbone might be the cause of pain in the area, in addition to tail bone spurs.
If you are experiencing pain in the tailbone that hasn’t gone away after a number of days, then contact a health care professional. They will either perform an x-ray or MRI scan to assess your injury and its seriousness. These examinations may be administered in various positions, standing, sitting, etc. Your healthcare provider may also check the area with their hands to see if any growths or abnormalities exist that might be placing unwanted pressure versus your coccyx.
How to Get Relief from Tailbone Pain
After finding out the causes to discuss why does my tailbone hurt, here’s what to do. In many instances, the cause of coccydynia will resolve itself and the pain will reduce and become abolished. Till that time, if you are experiencing pain in the tailbone, then there are approaches you can attempt at home to reduce the pain. These approaches include:.
Changing Your Sleeping Position
It can be advantageous to sleep on your side, or on your front. It might likewise prove handy to use a pillow to cushion the coccyx area.
Ensuring Proper Posture
This is particularly crucial when sitting, if you are experiencing discomfort, try leaning forward when sitting. In day-to-day live, ensure to sit upright, engage your core, keep your neck straight, and a little arch your back.
Using Cushions When Sitting
Lots of ring and doughnut shaped cushions are available to help ease the pain that you experience when sitting.
Apply Heat or Ice
Using heat or ice to the coccyx area can help to reduce inflammation and the pain sensation.
Used Medication
Some over-the-counter painkiller may show beneficial in decreasing the quantity of pain that you experience. If these treatments do nothing to help the pain that you feel, and the pain remains after numerous days, then it would be most recommended to visit a health care expert as this is a sign of chronic coccydynia.
How to Manage Chronic Coccydynia
Physical Therapy
A physiotherapist can supply you with helpful stretches and exercises to help relieve the level of pain that you are experiencing.
Massage
This includes massaging the muscles that are attached to the coccyx to assist ease the pain.
3. Medication
Medication administered straight to the coccyx area via an injection can help to alleviate the pain felt by people. Some antidepressants can likewise help to alleviate the pain, along with particular anti-epileptics.
4. Exercises to Reduce Pain
Some exercise can be carried out to help reduce the pain felt in the coccyx area, these exercises include:
Weightless Squats
Squats are excellent for building leg muscles and core strength, and they are also helpful to relieve coccyx pain. Merely stand with your feel shoulder width apart, hold your arms out in front of you and bend your knees as if you will sit, go down whilst keeping your back straight, then return to the starting position.
Spinal Twist
This stretch helps to promote blood circulation to the coccyx area in addition to offer release to the lower back. It is carried out by lying on your back with both legs straight, flat on the floor. Raise your left knee to your chest whilst keeping your right leg flat, and keeping your shoulders touching the floor. Hold the stretch for one minute.
Anal Lock
This is a beneficial workout as it can be carried out almost anywhere. It included contracting the same muscles you would contract when trying to ‘hold it in’ when you truly require a toilet. Tense the muscle and hold for around 10 to fifteen seconds, then release, and repeat.
Swimming
Swimming is great exercise that works the entire body. Some people have reported that swimming for twenty minutes a day has actually assisted to eliminate chronic coccyx pain.
5. Surgery
Surgery is usually just offered when all other approaches of treatment have cannot have an effect. The surgery frequently used is called a coccygectomy, wherein the coccyx is removed.
