Coccyx pain is not that common - but if you are affected by deep-seated back pain, it can be very stressful in everyday life. The pain is also known as coccygodynia (or coccygodynia) and can have various causes. The coccyx often hurts even when sitting or climbing stairs and sometimes even going to the toilet can only be managed with severe pain. In this article, you will learn all about the symptoms of coccyx pain, the causes and how you can best deal with coccyx pain to get rid of it quickly!
Content
2. coccyx pain & causes - where does coccyx pain come from?
3. pain in the coccyx - this could be the diagnosis
4. tailbone pain - what to do?
5. prevent pain in the coccyx area
What is coccyx pain?
To explain coccyx pain in more detail, it is important to get to know this part of the body better. The coccyx is part of the spine and consists of two or five bone segments or vertebrae. It forms the end of the spine and has a triangular shape. The coccyx is also the attachment point for various muscles, ligaments and tendons from the pelvis and pelvic floor to the hips. It is actually the regressed part of a caudal skeleton that cannot move when walking or standing. Depending on the sitting position, the coccyx can move up to 20 degrees forwards and backwards. The coccyx is also surrounded by a pain-sensitive nerve plexus called the "coccygeal plexus".
Even though it's not a big bone, it's an important part of your body and can cause a lot of pain if injured. This is because the coccyx is surrounded only by a thin periosteum, which is very sensitive. When you fall, for example, the pain manifests itself as sharp or pulling, among other things. In the following section, you will find out how else pain in the coccyx can make itself felt.
Coccyx pain & symptoms: this is how coccyx pain manifests itself
Pain in the coccyx can manifest itself in different ways. The course of the pain is also individual. It always depends a little on the cause of the pain. The following are particularly well-known and common symptoms of coccyx pain:
- A sharp, burning, or pulling pain in the tailbone
- Pain during defecation
- Pain that manifests itself when standing up
- Coccyx pain when sitting, standing or lying down
- Painful coccyx during sexual intercourse
- Radiation of pain to other regions such as the loins, hips or anal area
Coccyx pain & causes - where does coccyx pain come from?
You suddenly have tailbone pain and don't know where it's coming from? Pain in the coccyx can have different causes. It doesn't always have to be caused by a fall. Of course, the cause of most coccyx pain can be identified, but you don't always immediately realize what the trigger for this incredible pain is. Perhaps there is no single cause and there are several reasons for your pain.
For a better overview we have summarized all known causes. Maybe you can deduce from this where your pain could come from:
- Coccyx pain due to pregnancy
- After birth
- Pain due to a fall
- Endometriosis can also be a cause of your pain
- Other gynecological causes
- Irritated nerves
- Coccyx pain without falling can also be triggered by prolonged sitting
- Tumors
- Inflammation in the anal area
- Inflammation of the rectum
We would like to go into more detail on a selection of causes in the next sections in order to provide you with all the important information you need.
Coccyx pain when sitting: This may be the reason
Pain in the tailbone when sitting can also be triggered by sitting. This is because sitting for a very long time can cause injuries to your tissue. These are known as microtraumas. Tailbone pain caused by sitting is often the result of sitting on particularly uncomfortable and hard chairs. However, being overweight can also be a trigger for pain when sitting.
Coccyx pain pregnancy - What is the trigger?
During pregnancy, you may also experience pain in your tailbone. This can also be attributed to hormonal changes. These are often triggers for a loosening of the bony pelvic ring, which can then manifest itself in pain in the coccyx. In general, the coccyx can be strained during pregnancy. However, coccyx pain does not only occur during pregnancy. The problems can also be an issue after childbirth, as the tailbone is located directly behind the uterus. During childbirth, the uterus may push downward, putting stress on the tailbone.
Pain in the coccyx for no reason?
The fact that you feel pain for no reason should not usually happen. Of course, the reason may not be clear or a combination of causes may cause your tailbone to hurt. It is also not always possible to find out the cause. The diagnosis can be made through various examinations, but every now and then it can also come to no result.
Pain in the coccyx - This could be the diagnosis
Diagnosing your tailbone pain, of course, goes hand-in-hand with finding the cause. Diagnosis is often made with the help of x-rays and/or an MRI of the area and examination. So your pain might be diagnosed by a specialist or family doctor as follows:
- Pinched nerve
- Coccyx fracture
- Coccyx contusion
- Root Irritation Syndrome
- Coccyx dislocation
- Coccygeal fistula
- Coccyx sprain
- Malpositions of the coccyx
- Injuries and diseases in the pelvic area
- Lumbago
- Intestinal diseases
Of course, these are only a few of the diagnoses. As already mentioned above, the diagnosis could also concern the gynecological area, for example.
Coccyx pain - what to do?
Now we would also like to tell you how you can relieve tailbone pain, among other things. Of course, not all remedies are guaranteed to help with your pain. However, the following tips and exercises can help relieve it. Always be careful and consult your GP or a specialist for professional treatment.
How to treat a painful coccyx
When it comes to an injury to the coccyx, it can take a long time for the pain to disappear and for healing to be complete. The therapy often takes a long time, as the coccyx is stressed in normal everyday life. Depending on the extent of the injury, the following treatment options should be used to alleviate the pain and achieve success in the healing process:
- Painkillers or injections for anesthesia
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Protection of the body
- Ergonomic aids for sitting such as Pillow or chairs
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure with the Shakti Mat acupressure mat
- Heat treatments
- Relaxation therapies
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Removal of the coccyx through surgery
Coccyx pain exercises: This helps against coccyx pain
You should always be careful when doing stretching exercises or other exercises. If you do them incorrectly, you may make the pain worse.
In general, tight-leg stretches can be useful for improving pain. In one of these exercises, you need to sit on a mat and position your right leg in front of you at a 90° angle. Using your arms to support yourself, make your left leg long backwards. Your left knee and the back of your left foot should be as close to the floor as possible. Then rotate your pelvis so that your left groin and iliac spine are also facing the floor. For a good stretch, hold this for about 30 seconds.
Prevent pain in the coccyx area
To avoid suffering from tailbone pain, there are some things you can do in your daily life that can help you avoid pain. Of course, you are not safe from the pain, because not every cause can be actively avoided by you. However, the tips are generally helpful for a general well-being, which is why we can only recommend you to implement them. You should consider these tips in your everyday life:
- Less sitting, more movement and standing: The best way to prevent a sore tailbone is to avoid sitting so much. You should also incorporate more movement into your everyday life. This starts at work, for example. The 40-15-5 rule helps you to find a good balance. It says that after 40 minutes of sitting, you should at best stand for 15 minutes and walk for 5 minutes. In the workplace, this can be implemented with a standing desk and a trip to the toilet or coffee machine, for example.
- Correct posture when sitting: Always maintain a straight posture when sitting. An ergonomic chair and a coccyx cushion, for example, can be used to support good posture when sitting.
- Stretching and strength exercises: Regular stretching, gymnastic exercises and strengthening your muscles generally make you feel better and can prevent pain in general. In this way, you can also ensure that the risk of getting tailbone pain remains lower.
- Acupressure: Acupressure is a good method for combating coccyx pain. You can also release initial blockages and tension before the pain in the coccyx area occurs. The acupressure mat is an everyday tool that requires little time, but offers the opportunity to give the body a soothing massage. Our customers report successes with the ShaktiMat in their reviews. Just 15 minutes a day is enough to provide relaxation in the coccyx region.