Tailbone Hurts
Possible Reasons Why Your Tailbone Hurts
When one’s tailbone hurts, it can be extremely difficult to concentrate on and perform everyday activities. The amount of time one can comfortable sit or stand can be greatly diminished and squatting or bending movements can feel almost impossible. If the tailbone hurts, this is often a sign that some sort of damage has been sustained, whether severe or mild. We are going to talk about a few causes of tailbone pain and the corresponding treatments used for each condition.
An injury that results in trauma to the bones that make up the coccyx, or tailbone, can lead to a number of problems—and not just with the tailbone itself. Many people struggle through daily “back pain” without ever realizing that the true source of the pain was actually the tailbone, not the lower back. The coccyx bones are located deep in the lower back and pain can often be felt in the mid-buttocks region. The coccyx naturally curves slightly inward, which can also produce pain symptoms that seem to be coming from the front side of the pelvis.
Bruising of the coccyx is quite a common result of minor injury, such as falling on the tailbone. A bruised tailbone usually produces pain most evident when one stands up or sits down, as well as during a bowel movement. The coccyx area is also likely to become sensitive or painful when pressure is applied, such as with the fingertips. A bruised tailbone is not considered a medical emergency and can usually be diagnosed by a question and answer session with a doctor as well as a physical examination of the area to pin-point the source of the pain.
Treatment for a bruised tailbone usually involves minimizing pressure against the area. Sitting on “donut” pillows or other special cushions can help to ease the amount of pressure that directly affects the coccyx. Ice packs or cold compresses can also help to relieve pain and swelling. A doctor may choose to prescribe pain relievers to help manage discomfort and may recommend taking a fiber supplement to avoid constipation while the tailbone is healing.
A tailbone fracture is not quite as common as a bruised tailbone, however it is a possibility that should be considered when one’s tailbone hurts. A fracture, or break, occurs when the bones in the coccyx sustain an injury of blunt force, such as falling onto a hard material like concrete. It is very unlikely that an audible “crack” will sound, however the pain is often immediately registered. The severity of the fracture depends on how and where the break has occurred. If the bone has chipped or broken away completely, more severe pain will be felt as opposed to a hairline break where the bone has not separated completely. Pain can be felt upon any lower body movement around the pelvis and legs. Sharp pain is most likely to occur when sitting, standing, during bowel movement, and even why lying in certain positions.
A true break cannot be determined by a simple physical examination and explanation of symptoms, although the severity of the pain can often be an indicator that an x-ray is necessary. An x-ray will show any breakage that has occurred and verify the extent of the injury. Treating a tailbone fracture is much the same as treating a bruised tailbone, where the pain is nursed and pressure is minimized so that the fracture can heal on its own. If the fracture has resulted in a severe break, then a surgical procedure may be necessary to correct the damage, although this is very rarely done.
Pregnancy can also result in tailbone pain, although this is often due to the position of the baby. Lying or sitting in a different position often remedies the issue. If one has sustained an injury to the tailbone to the extent that their daily life is heavily affected, they should consider seeing a doctor to determine whether an actual break has occurred. The doctor will be able to recommend positions that can help to alleviate the pain, as well as provide prescriptions that will help one to cope with the pain.