Are you suffering from tailbone back pain and are not sure what you can do about it or what is causing it? Are you finding difficult to perform even the most basic of daily tasks due the excruciating tailbone back pain you are suffering? What are some things that you can do to either relieve the tailbone pain or get rid of it altogether? Here are a few ideas…

Firstly, what exactly is tailbone back pain? It could be a few things, but you may want to initially look at coccydynia. Coccydynia is a sore tailbone or coccyx and, if it has been bruised or injured in any way, could cause you tailbone back pain. This pain can by caused in the coccyx area if there has been an injury or another type of excess pressure on the area causes the bones to move beyond their normal very limited range of motion. This can result in inflammation and localized pain in the coccyx area – coccydynia. An injury to either the ligaments or the vestigial disc may also be a cause of this horrible pain. It is quite rare that the bones of the coccyx can fracture and cause pain, but it does happen. I know first hand in my family how a broken coccyx can affect ones quality of life. There are also rare cases where a tumor or infection in the coccyx might also contribute to tailbone back pain.

What are some things you can do to help alleviate this pain and help you regain your quality of life? There are a variety of therapies or perhaps even operations that one can do. Some of your options include:

  • taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The most common NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen and COX-2 inhibitors. They help reduce the inflammation around the coccyx that is usually a cause of tailbone back pain. Please consult with your doctor before you take any medications.
  • One can apply ice or a cold pack to the inflamed area several times a day for the first few days after the pain starts. This should help calm the affected area.
  • Subsequently, one can then apply a heat or a hot pack to the inflamed area after the first few days.
  • One should avoid sitting for extended periods of time or place any extra pressure on the coccyx area.
  • A custom coccyx cushion can help take pressure off the coccyx when sitting. There are different types of coccyx cushions: a donut-shaped coccyx cushion works well, and for others it is not the right shape and still puts pressure on the coccyx. A memory foam coccyx seat cushion (like this Duro-Med Coccyx Seat Cushion with Navy Poly/Cotton Cover,) that is more of a U-shape or V-shape with the back open so nothing touches the coccyx is also one of the more popular coccyx seat cushion options.
  • If tailbone back pain is increased with bowel movements or constipation, it is suggested that you use stool softeners and increase fiber and water intake in your diet to help reduce the pain. Please consult with your medical professional before you take any medications.

Tailbone back pain is something that many people suffer from but aren’t really sure what to do about. I suggest that you consult with your doctor before taking any drastic steps, such as a coccygectomy, but encourage you to do something to help better your quality of life. Speaking from experience, I’ve seen what coccydynia and tailbone back pain can do to a persons daily lifestyle.

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