Have you ever ever had an ache at the bottom of your spine? You will have thought it was brought on by sitting for too long, possibly during a visit or during an extended work day. While that reason behind the pain definitely is feasible, you can even be affected by coccydynia, or tailbone pain. This condition is more likely in case you also feel sharp pains in the realm while standing or moving around.
Coccydynia is greater than a mere nuisance. It’s, in truth, a treatable condition. Discover more about tailbone pain and what it’s best to do about it.
Coccydynia is localized pain of the coccyx. Colloquially often known as the tailbone, the coccyx is a triangular bone that resembles a tail at the bottom of your spine. Five coccygeal vertebrae make up the coccyx. Just above the coccyx is the sacrum, a much larger triangle to which the coccyx is fused.
The sacrum and coccyx are weight-bearing structures of the spine. The coccyx specifically bears your weight whilst you’re sitting. Leaning back while sitting increases pressure on the coccyx, while remaining upright relieves the pressure. Tendons, ligaments, and muscles attach to the coccyx, and the bone is the insertion point for among the pelvic floor muscles.
Lower-back pain could also be probably the most common kinds of pain people feel. While lumbar pain is common, you may also suffer from pain specifically within the coccyx.
Injury is a standard reason behind coccydynia. You will have fallen in your buttocks and thought the tissue saved you from real injury. Nevertheless, the coccyx can have taken the brunt of the autumn. The coccyx can grow to be injured and even fractured from successful, especially during contact sports. Even sitting on a tough surface for an prolonged time may cause the tailbone to ache.
Getting injured during sport is not the only way your coccyx can grow to be injured. For those who’re a rower or a cyclist, you may develop repetitive strain injury. Pain develops once you put strain on the muscles and ligaments across the coccyx from the act of leaning forward repeatedly and for lengths of time.
A standard reason behind coccydynia later in life is
degenerative joint disease. Over time, the cartilage holding your coccyx in place can wear down. When the tailbone now not has this support system, you may feel pain.
Finally, a cause that relates only to women is childbirth. As a part of the child-birthing process, your coccyx becomes flexible at the top of pregnancy. The increased flexibility allows the coccyx to maneuver out of the way in which during birth. Nevertheless, the muscles and ligaments across the coccyx can grow to be strained, causing the coccydynia pain.
Very often coccydynia will go away by itself so long as you look after the affected area. Below are some suggestions to alleviate the pain:
- Use a donut cushion when sitting.
- Avoid sitting on hard surfaces.
- Avoid leaning back while sitting – lean forward enough to direct the burden away from the tailbone.
- Rise up recurrently, and walk around to avoid putting prolonged pressure on the tailbone area.
If the coccydynia is the results of an injury, alternate putting cold and warm packs on the realm. Likewise, in case you feel more pain during waste elimination, consider taking laxatives to alleviate the pressure. You possibly can also alter your weight loss program to incorporate high-fiber foods to melt the stools.
You must see a health care provider if the coccydynia persists for greater than a number of weeks. You could must undergo physical therapy to strengthen the muscles across the coccyx. A physical therapist can advise you on exercises to assist correct your posture.
If the coccydynia persists, your doctor might recommend receiving injections or undergoing surgery. Injections can include anti-inflammatory drugs, reminiscent of corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and may dramatically reduce pain. They can even use or nerve blockers, which anesthetize the realm. Surgery is a final resort.
Don’t suffer through coccydynia. Seek medical advice on tips on how to alleviate the pain. Let the physicians at Specialists in Pain Management specify a treatment plan to your tailbone pain.