The tailbone or coccyx, located at the base of the spine, is a triangular bony structure made of three to five bony segments held in place by ligaments and joints. Coccydynia, commonly known as tailbone pain, can be caused by various conditions leading to acute or chronic pain in this area. It typically occurs in adolescents and adults, mostly women than in men.
Often, the cause of the tailbone pain can be unknown, but there are prevalent conditions that may contribute to the pain, such as:
Less common conditions that cause tailbone pain include compression of nerve roots, bone spurs, pilonidal cysts, and tumors.
Tailbone pain can vary, depends on the symptoms. Some may endure bruising or swelling, while others may notice the pressure and heightened pain when sitting. Although the symptoms differ, tailbone pain usually leads to any pain at the spine's base.
Symptoms of tailbone pain are:
Depending on the symptoms, the pain in your tailbone might be a result from a previous injury or underlying medical condition. Regardless of the cause, there are many alternatives to ease the pain.
Someone who already endured an injury to the spine's base likely experiences this type of pain. Women tend to suffer from tailbone pain five times more than men.
A woman in her later stages of pregnancy or post-birth may experience mild to severe tailbone pain. This type of discomfort is expected due to the stress placed on the tailbone during labor and pregnancy.
Putting excessive strain on the coccyx over and over again (such as cycling) may lead to tailbone pain, as the protective muscles and joints loosen from wear and tear.
A variety of conditions can cause tailbone pain. Although some may find the pain mild and typically go away on their own, many are still enduring pain caused by injury and other health problems.
Trauma on the triangular region at the spine's base will likely result in tailbone pain. This section of the body is sensitive and, if it gets hit, can lead to fractures, bruising, or a broken coccyx.
Injuries are common to those playing contact sports or even someone who experienced an accidental fall. They likely get an impact on their spine's base, which apparently causes tailbone pain.
Constipation can generate pain at the spine's base, even hemorrhoids - as it tends to create internal trauma, which can lead to pain and swelling.
Pregnancy and childbirth usually create trauma to the spine's base, as the ligaments in this region loosen throughout the birthing process. A woman in delivery may undergo excessive pain in the coccyx, much worse if she already had chronic back pain.
Although not everyone experiences these conditions, a few of these can contribute to tailbone pain.
Tumors located near or on the tailbone may be unpleasant. The pressure placed on the small bone structure makes it painful to sit or stand.
Levator syndrome is an incidental pain in the rectum, sacrum, or tailbone, leading to tailbone pain in case no injury is present. This syndrome causes muscle spasms in the anus, causing pain in the hips and coccyx.
A bone spur or osteophyte is an enlargement of the natural bony structure. It can put pressure on the nerves and tendons, affecting the tailbone.
Many cases of bone spurs are non-symptomatic, and patients are unknowing of the condition until they had an X-ray for a different concern.
Tailbone pain can often be excruciating and debilitating. Whether you treat the pain at home or seek a health care professional for further pain relief, always consider your pain levels and how manageable it is.
In searching for a medical professional, look for a well-qualified person to treat the symptoms and underlying problems to ensure relief and peace-of-mind.
The majority of cases for tailbone pain can be easily managed at home. It aims to control the pain and avoid further inflammation of the coccyx.
This cushion has an ergonomic contour design that reduces pressure on the coccyx and promotes proper posture while evenly distributing your weight over its surface.
Tailbone pain can be a tricky condition to determine since several conditions mimic its symptoms and the type of pain it exhibits. It is advisable to see your doctor if you notice any tailbone pain symptoms to eliminate these other conditions.
Other treatment methods may prevent and manage tailbone pain, such as limiting your sitting time, massaging the affected area, supportive pillows or cushioning seats, postural adjustments, and taking OTC medications to ease the pain immediately.
