Treatment FAQ

treatment for tailbone pain when sitting

by Maegan Keebler Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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To lessen tailbone pain in the meantime, it might help to:
  1. Lean forward while sitting down.
  2. Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion.
  3. Apply heat or ice to the affected area.
  4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

How to effectively treat tailbone pain?

May 11, 2021 · Lean forward while sitting down. Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion. Apply heat or ice to the affected area. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

What is the fastest way to heal a sore tailbone?

Dec 12, 2021 · This can help reduce pain and inflammation. If your pain doesn't go away after at-home care, your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medication. A steroid injection into the joint or ligaments in the tailbone area may also help control pain. If your pain is caused by the ganglion impar, a nerve block may help.

Should I go see a doctor for tailbone pain?

Mar 05, 2020 · – Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the tailbone and help to minimize pain. – Postural exercises can also help to improve posture, allowing for proper alignment of the spine and decreased stress on the tailbone. Source: [4] 5 Exercises to relieve tailbone pain

How long for tailbone pain to go away?

Here are my favorite remedies for soothing your tailbone pain while sitting. 1. Stretch and strengthen your lower back and pelvis muscles. While this may not be necessary for everyone that experiences tailbone pain when sitting, adding some stretching and strength training to your routine can help reduce some pain.

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What does it mean if your tailbone hurts when you sit?

There are three types of events that cause tailbone pain: External Trauma: A bruised, broken or dislocated coccyx caused by a fall. Internal Trauma: Trauma caused by a difficult childbirth or from sitting on a narrow or hard surface for too long. Others: Infection, abscess and tumors.Jul 6, 2020

What is the fastest way to heal a sore tailbone?

Symptom ReliefRest and stop any physical activity that causes pain. The more you rest, the quicker the injury can heal.Ice your tailbone for about 20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 48 hours, then 2 to 3 times a day. ... Use a cushion or gel donut when sitting. ... Avoid sitting a lot.Oct 12, 2020

Is walking good for tailbone pain?

Standing or walking should relieve the pressure on your tailbone and ease discomfort.

What is the home remedy for tailbone pain?

To lessen tailbone pain in the meantime, it might help to:Lean forward while sitting down.Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion.Apply heat or ice to the affected area.Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

How to relieve tailbone pain?

At-home remedies for tailbone pain (coccydynia) include: Taking a NSAID like ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling. Decreasing sitting time. Lean forward if you have to sit. Taking a hot bath to relax muscles and ease pain. Using a wedge-shaped gel cushion or coccygeal cushion (a “donut” pillow) when sitting.

What is the pain of tailbone?

Tailbone pain (coccydynia) can make everyday tasks uncomfortable at best, and unbearable at worst. The coccyx, a small triangular bone at the bottom of the spinal column, can get bruised and even fractured. Sitting increases pain while walking relieves it. Using at-home remedies and changing behaviors such as sitting too long make the biggest differences.

How long does it take for a coccyx to heal?

Total coccygectomy (removal of the entire coccyx — extremely rare). Recovery time from a coccygectomy can take a few months maybe a year. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that the pain will go away even if the bone is gone. Again, this procedure is rare.

How long does a tailbone hurt?

It can last for weeks, months or sometimes longer. There are three types of events that cause tailbone pain: External Trauma: A bruised, broken or dislocated coccyx caused by a fall. Internal Trauma: Trauma caused by a difficult childbirth or from sitting on a narrow or hard surface for too long.

How to help coccyx pain?

Sitting. Just this simple act can increase coccyx pain, especially if you’re sitting on a hard or narrow surface. Do your best to get up often, stretch and take a short walk. Better yet, find yourself a softer, more comfortable place to sit or use a cushioned seat.

What does it feel like to have a coccydynia?

Achy or piercing pain in the tailbone. More severe pain when changing from sitting to standing up. More severe pain when sitting for long periods of time. Pain during bowel movements. Pain during sex. Other related symptoms that may occur with coccydynia include:

What bones bear weight when you sit down?

Both the coccyx and the ischial tuberosities (two bones that make up the bottom of your pelvis) bear your weight when you sit down. Two-thirds of adults have a coccyx that curves a bit instead of pointing straight down, but one that is curved too far is abnormal and, therefore, painful.

Why does my tailbone hurt?

The most common cause of tailbone pain is trauma. Since the coccyx is the insertion site for many muscles and ligaments, this may include direct, forceful trauma, or repetitive trauma to the bones of the coccyx or to the surrounding muscles or ligaments. 1

What causes coccydynia pain?

Besides a bony growth, some experts report scoliotic deformity as a potential cause of coccydynia. Nerve Pain: A bundle of nerves called the ganglion impar is located in front of the upper part of the coccyx. Overactivity or irritation of these nerves may cause chronic coccyx pain. 5.

How long does it take for a bruised tailbone to heal?

Most cases of tailbone pain can be treated with lifestyle modifications. Keep in mind, a bruised tailbone may take between several days and several weeks to completely heal, while a fractured tailbone can take four to six weeks. In general, you should be able to return to activities slowly as you heal. A full return to sports may depend on the ...

What causes tailbone pain?

Cancer: In rare instances, a malignant tumor that has metastasized to the tailbone (for example, cancer from the prostate, ovaries, cervix, or colon) may be the source of tailbone pain. 7 Also rarely, a chordoma, which is a primary bone tumor, may arise on the coccyx or within the coccygeal region. Infection: An infection located in ...

How to relieve pressure on tailbone?

Avoid Prolonged Sitting: While sitting, lean forward to take the pressure off your tailbone. Some people sit on a "doughnut," a circular cushion with a hole in the middle of it, to relieve tailbone pressure— this can actually isolate the tailbone, placing more pressure on it.

What causes swelling and pain in the coccyx?

Infection: An infection located in the tailbone area, such as a pilonidal cyst, can cause swelling and pain over the coccyx, along with redness, warmth, and pus (thick, whitish fluid). 8.

How to relieve pain from a tailbone injury?

Instead, choose a modified wedge-shaped cushion (called a coccygeal cushion) to ease pressure on the tailbone. 12 These are available over the counter. Apply Ice or Heat: Ice can be applied to the tailbone area for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day for up to three days after the injury to help reduce pain.

How to get rid of tailbone pain?

Stretching/Exercise. – Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the tailbone and help to minimize pain. – Postural exercises can also help to improve posture, allowing for proper alignment of the spine and decreased stress on the tailbone. Source: [4]

What does it mean when your tailbone hurts when sitting?

If you’ve ever felt pain in your tailbone while sitting, you’ve experienced what is known as Coccydynia (medical term). Tailbone pain (Coccydynia) is a painful condition that can be debilitating in some cases. While tailbone pain can be annoying and disruptive to your life, most cases resolve within a few weeks to months. [1] .

How long does it take for a tailbone to heal?

While tailbone pain can be annoying and disruptive to your life, most cases resolve within a few weeks to months. [1] . In the meantime, there are a variety of things you can try to minimize your symptoms, which we will outline below.

Where is the tailbone located?

Since the tailbone is located at the bottom of the spine, these exercises focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles in this area to allow for proper alignment and better support of the spine, which helps to relieve tailbone pain.

How to stretch your stomach and back?

How to do it: – Begin this stretch on your hands and knees. Inhale and let your stomach “drop” towards the floor as you look up towards the ceiling. – Follow this by exhaling and slowly rounding your spine while pressing into the floor with your hands and slightly curving your neck to look at your feet.

How to do a syringe in the back?

How to do it: – Begin by lying on your back with your feet positioned flat on the floor. Inhale by filling your belly up with air. – As you Exhale, draw in your abdominal muscles by drawing your belly button down towards the floor and slightly up towards your head.

How to do a squat on your back?

Cross one foot over the opposite knee and keep your foot on the floor/mat. – Pull the knee with the opposite hand toward the opposite shoulder. – Hold 20-30 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times per side.

How to stop tailbone pain when sitting down?

You can also try heat, massage, over-the-counter pain relievers, and sitting on a doughnut-shaped cushion. To prevent tailbone pain, use good form when you sit down.

Why does my tailbone hurt?

Tailbone pain can result from bruising, dislocation, or a broken bone caused by a trauma or injury. It may happen if you fall backward or get hurt while playing sports like skating and gymnastics.

What causes tailbone pain?

See a doctor if your tailbone pain gets worse or doesn’t go away, you have other symptoms, or you have a history of cancer. A tumor or cancer in your colon or rectum can cause tailbone pain.

What is the pain in the bottom of the spine?

Vertebral Tumor. Colorectal Cancer. Pilonidal Cyst. More. Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, can be a dull ache or a sharp pain at the bottom of your spine. It might hurt when you stand up, have sex, or go to the bathroom. It usually goes away on its own in a few weeks or months.

How long does it take for tailbone pain to go away?

It might hurt when you stand up, have sex, or go to the bathroom. It usually goes away on its own in a few weeks or months.

How do you know if you have a tailbone injury?

Signs that you’ve injured your tailbone include: Pain and swelling. Numbness or tingling.

What is the best treatment for chordoma?

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. If you have chordoma, your doctor may recommend treatment with: Surgery. Radiation. Proton beam therapy. Prostate Cancer. Tailbone pain is sometimes related to prostate cancer, a common cancer in men. As prostate cancer grows, it can lead to bone pain.

What Causes Tailbone Pain Without Injury?

An injury usually causes Coccydynia to the tailbone, which causes inflammation. There may be no actual injury, and this condition may appear unconnected, without any real cause. If I dig deeper into the patient’s history, I usually find there was a coccyx injury caused by a fall or childbirth issue.

Is It Bad if Your Tailbone Hurts When Sitting?

Most people with coccydynia will experience tailbone pain when they sit or if something presses on their lower spine. When you sit the wrong way, the bones can get injured, or the surrounding tissues and muscles can get damaged as well. If you have tailbone pain, make sure that your chair has the following to minimise exacerbation:

How Do You Tell If You Have a Tumor on Your Tailbone?

A chordoma is the most common malignancy in the spine. It presents with the following symptoms:

How to Relieve Tailbone Pain

It is common for tailbone pains to subside on their own. You should do the following if you experience tailbone pain:

How Long Will It Take for My Tailbone to Heal?

The length of time it takes to recover from a tailbone injury depends on its severity. If the damage is a fracture, the recovery takes between 8 and 12 weeks. If a bruised tailbone occurs, the recovery takes about 4 weeks.

What Is the Proper Way to Sit on a Doughnut Cushion?

In a comfortable sitting position, your hips should be in the centre of the hole, with your buttocks slightly outward to allow for increased spinal clearance.

Can Tailbone Pain Last For Years?

A coccyx injury may appear as a dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, or a bruised, broken or dislocated region in days, weeks, or months.

How to relieve tailbone pain?

Sitting position to treat tailbone pain. To ease discomfort, sit on a heating pad or ice pack, or go for a massage. The way you sit also matters. Poor posture can put too much pressure on your coccyx. Sit with your back against the chair and your feet flat on the floor to take the weight off your tailbone.

How to treat a swollen tailbone?

The pain should go away in a few weeks, but it may sometimes be months. You can try over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve discomfort until your tailbone heals. These drugs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).

Why does my coccyx hurt?

than men to experience tailbone pain. You’re also more prone to tailbone problems if you’re overweight. However, if you lose the weight quickly, you’ll lose the padding that protects your tailbone and may be more likely to injure it. In rare cases, the cause of coccyx pain may be an infection or tumor.

What is the name of the bone that runs through the tailbone?

The word comes from the Greek term for “cuckoo.”. The name was given to the tailbone because the coccyx looks a lot like the beak of a bird. Pain in your coccyx is called coccydynia.

What is the name of the tailbone of a bird?

Your doctor might call your tailbone by its medical name: “coccyx.”. The word comes from the Greek term for “cuckoo.”. The name was given to the tailbone because the coccyx looks a lot like the beak of the bird. Pain in your coccyx is called coccydynia. Last medically reviewed on February 25, 2019.

How to help a pregnant woman with a tailbone?

Pregnant women with tailbone pain can also benefit from stretching . Talk to your doctor if tailbone pain is worsened by exercising or stretching . Fun fact.

What is the procedure to remove the tailbone?

If no treatment has worked, your doctor might recommend surgery as a last resort to remove part or all of the coccyx. This procedure is called a coccygectomy. Surgery doesn’t always work right away.

How to get rid of tailbone pain?

Activity modification. Alterations to everyday activities can help take cumulative pressure off of the tailbone and alleviate pain.

What is the best medicine for coccyx pain?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ). Common NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or COX-2 inhibitors ( Celebrex ), help reduce the inflammation around the coccyx that is usually a cause of the pain. Ice or cold pack.

What is the treatment for coccydynia?

If tailbone pain is persistent or severe, additional non-surgical treatment options for coccydynia may include: Injection. An injection of a numbing agent (lidocaine) and steroid (to decrease inflammation) in the area surrounding the coccyx may provide pain relief.

What is a custom pillow for coccydynia?

Pillows for alleviating coccydynia may include U- or V-shaped pillows, or wedge-shaped pillows with a cutout or hole where the tailbone is.

How to treat coccydynia pain?

Tense muscles in this region can place added strain on the ligaments and sacrococcygeal joint, limiting its mobility or pulling on the coccyx. See Massage Therapy for Lower Back Pain. Stretching.

How to relieve coccyx pain?

A physical therapist, chiropractor, physiatrist, or other appropriately trained healthcare practitioner can provide instruction on appropriate stretches for relieving coccyx pain.

What is a supportive cushion?

A supportive cushion can be useful in the car, as well as in an office, classroom, or at home. See Different Types of Pillows. Dietary changes. If tailbone pain is caused by or worsened with bowel movements or constipation, increased fiber and water intake, as well as stool softeners, is recommended. See Food for Thought: Diet and Nutrition ...

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