Tailbone Pain: Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment and Diagnosis

The tailbone is also referred to as the coccyx in medical terminology. The term comes from the Greek word for the cuckoo. Doctors usually refer to the pain in the coccyx as coccydynia. The tailbone pain may range from mild to intense. People will find it hard to sit, stand and do regular activities in worse conditions. Read further to learn about tailbone pain causes, symptoms and the perfect tailbone remedy to help you treat it before the situation worsens.

What is Tailbone Pain?

The tailbone pain occurs around the small bony structure at the bottom end of the spine. People suffering from pain may feel inactive and dull. However, it hurts while performing specific tasks like sitting, standing for a long time, or having sex. Women suffer a lot due to this pain during periods.  

Some of the possible reasons for tailbone pain are traumas and pregnancy. However, it may vary for each person. Patients usually get relief within a few weeks or months. Although if the pain continues for an extended period, try consulting a doctor. 

Tailbone Pain Causes

Determining the tailbone pain causes helps to find the cure easily. Here are a few reasons for tailbone pain. 

• In most cases, tailbone pain occurs due to external traumas caused by falls and accidents. This unexpected incident may dislocate, bruise or break the coccyx 
• Ageing also weakens bone strength resulting in pain in different parts of the body 
• Sitting in the same place for a longer period can cause tailbone pain 
• Women have more chances of developing coccydynia because of childbirth. This is because, during pregnancy, the ligaments connected to the coccyx loosen to make space for the child [1] 
• People who are over or underweight are more likely to have tailbone pain.  
• Sometimes infections and tumours also result in coccydynia
• Poor posture also increases the possibility of pain 
• Repetitive motions, like cycling, can strain the tissues around the tailbone
• In very few cases, tailbone pain is a sign of cancer, although the chances are meagre

However, in one-third of the cases, the reason for tailbone pain is unknown. 

Symptoms of Tailbone Pain

Every health condition arrives with a warning sign. Here are a few tailbone pain symptoms that help you recognise the problem earlier:

• Pain during sexual intercourse 
• Elevated pain when the person moves from sitting to standing 
• Pain during bowel movements 
• The person may experience severe pain while sitting on a hard surface for a long time 

Other symptoms that usually accompany tailbone pain include:

• Pain in the buttocks 
• Back pain 
• Lack of sleep 
• Depression and Anxiety 
• Extended pain in the legs 
• Pain followed by swelling 
• Weakness 
• Numbness and tingling in either one or both legs

Diagnosis of Tailbone Pain

As a first step, the doctor will try to understand the patient's medical history. For example, if you are pregnant, you can expect questions regarding previous pregnancies. Then, the doctor may recommend a few tests to get a thorough report about your condition. 

• Blood tests to check the possibility of infection and autoimmune conditions 
• Bone Density Test like X-rays & MRI scan to receive an image of the tailbone 
• Pelvic exam to understand pelvic floor strength

Treatment for Tailbone Pain

Most cases of tailbone pain don't require any tailbone pain treatment. However, here are a few tailbone pain remedies that are usually recommended. 

Home Remedies 

• A hot bath helps with muscle relaxation and reduces pain 
• Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes 
• Do a hot and cold compress in the lower back for not more than 20 minutes 
• Lean forward while you are sitting 
• Try to use a wedge-shaped gel cushion or doughnut pillow for sitting 
• To reduce pain during bowel movements, use stool softeners 

Medical Treatment 

• You can use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen to relieve tailbone pain 
• If the pain is severe, the doctor may inject a local anaesthetic, nerve block, or steroid into the area 

Stretching 

• Stretching is quite beneficial to get relief from the pressure of tailbone pain 
• There are various tailbone pain relief exercises and yoga postures to stretch your muscles 
• Pregnant women can also do slight stretching. However, it is good to take the doctor's opinion before trying 

Surgical treatment 

• Most non-surgical treatments are effective in curing tailbone pain. Numerous studies show that 90% of coccydynia sufferers respond well to non-surgical therapies.[2] However, if these treatments fail, the doctor may recommend surgery where a part or whole tailbone is removed, known as partial coccygectomy or total coccygectomy

The two tailbone surgeries mentioned above don't guarantee the complete elimination of tailbone pain. It also carries the risk of infection. Hence gather all the essential details from the doctor before making any decision.

Complications of Tailbone Pain

Untreated tailbone pain results in severe health conditions like: 

• Loss of sexual function 
• Losing the ability to control bowel movements 
• Loss of bladder control 

Hence, it is important to consult the doctor without delay.

No pain is bearable. It is imperative to consult a doctor before things get worse. Bones are the pillars of the human body, and other bone diseases include bone TB, hypercalcemia, and leg fracture. Treating these diseases at the right time can help you to lead a healthy life. If you are looking for expert advice to get more details about these health conditions, try Bajaj Finserv Health. Here you can seek an expert's opinion at your convenience. So say no to pain and yes to a healthy life.