Tailbone pain may be present as a throbbing, a sharp, stabbing, or a constant dull pain. It typically worsens when you sit, though your exact triggers may vary based on the type and severity of the injury such as falling on ice!
Fortunately, many tailbone injuries are best treated with a few simple home remedies. And if these don’t bring relief, chiropractic may help you reduce your pain naturally.
Common Tailbone (Coccyx) Injuries
Many tailbone injuries have similar symptoms, so one of the best ways to figure out which type of injury you may be experiencing is to try to trace it back to the root cause. The most common causes of tailbone (or coccyx) pain are:
- Bruises, Dislocations, and Fractures: If you’ve ever fallen backwards and landed in the seated position, you’ve probably experienced the pain of a bruised tailbone. And if your fall is especially severe such as falling off a ladder or impact during sports, you may even fracture or dislocate your tailbone.
- Repetitive Strain Injury: If you frequently ride a bike, your tailbone pain might be from a repetitive strain injury. The motion and seated position of biking or even rowing puts stress on the muscles and ligaments around your tailbone, and over time, this may cause tissue inflammation and pain.
- Pregnancy and Childbirth Related Injuries: When a person is pregnant, the ligaments around the tailbone become more flexible so that it can move during childbirth. This instability may cause pain.
How to Sit Comfortably with an Injured Tailbone
The most common symptom of tailbone injuries is pain while sitting. If you work a desk job or have to drive frequently, tailbone pain can be incredibly disruptive.
While you should try to minimize the time you spend sitting if you’re experiencing tailbone pain, there are a few ways to make yourself more comfortable.
First, try sitting on a coccyx cushion or “donut pillow”. This takes pressure off the tailbone while also providing cushion to the surrounding bones and muscles. If you don’t have a donut pillow, sitting on a regular small pillow and leaning slightly forward may provide some level of relief. If possible, try to take frequent breaks from sitting to walk around.
How to Minimize Pain After a Tailbone Injury
The good news is that most coccyx injuries will heal themselves, and you can often find relief with at-home remedies.
- Try applying ice or heat to either help reduce swelling or relax sore muscles.
- If you have trouble sleeping because of pain, try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.
What Can a Chiropractor Do for Tailbone Injuries?
If home remedies aren’t providing the pain relief you need, or your injury just doesn’t seem to be getting better over time, a chiropractor who utilizes various physiotherapy modalities may help.
When you visit a chiropractor for a tailbone injury, they will first work with you to understand the cause of your pain. Based on your symptoms may have to rule out a fracture with an Xray.
Some treatments may include:
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation: At our practice, we use electrical muscle stimulation to help with tight muscles and reduce tissue inflammation.
- Ultrasound Therapy: Ultrasound therapy can be used to treat tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, by applying sound waves to the affected area which can help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and alleviate pain in the muscles and tissues surrounding the coccyx.
- Exercise and Nutritional Advice: Whether you need a few stretches to help strengthen the muscles in your lower back, or you’re hoping for other strategies to reduce tailbone pain, Dr. Karim can provide practical advice about lifestyle changes that may help you find long-term relief.
When Should You Go to the Emergency Room for Tailbone Pain?
While most tailbone injuries will heal with conservative care, there are some instances when tailbone pain might be a symptom of a serious injury. If you have any of the following symptoms after an injury, you should call 911 or go to the emergency room as quickly as possible:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Numbness, tingling, paralysis, or weakness in any part of the body
- Severe neck or back pain
If you’re experiencing chronic or acute tailbone pain, Karim Chiropractic can help you find relief and prevent future complications. Reach out to Dr. Karim using the contact form to schedule a visit.
