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What Causes Pain Around Tail Bone?
Posted on
Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Answered on
Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi my name is XXXXXXX My pain it starts at my tailbone & goes up my spine half way up. It seem to hurt all the time I have tried to ice it & even tried heat but it keeps hurting. Pain killers help for a while but the pain comes back & I don't like to use pain killers if possible I have gone to a chiropractor but that doesn't seem to work either
Brief Answer:
Mostly Coccydynia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Pain occuring around the tail bone area (coccyx) is termed as coccydynia. Coccydynia is felt as a localized pain and will generally feel worse when sitting or with any activity that puts pressure on the bottom area of the spine.
Apart from pain localized around tail bone area, coccydynia may also present with backpain.
There are numerous causes for coccydynia. An xray of the involved part (sacrum with coccyx) and an MRI scan will help in identifying the culprit.
The general treatment guidelines for this condition includes the following -
* Sit completely upright with proper posture — keeping your back firmly against the chair, knees level with your hips, feet flat on the floor and shoulders relaxed
* Sitz baths (which involves soaking hips and buttocks in warm water), which helps in providing pain relief
* Lean forward while sitting down
* Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion
affected area
*Physical therapy involving strengthening of pelvic area muscles , stimulation with ultrasound therapy
* Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil)
* If no response is found with analgesic medications, then local corticosteroid injections are given to give a substantially long term pain relief, which may last from few weeks to months.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Mostly Coccydynia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for your query.
Pain occuring around the tail bone area (coccyx) is termed as coccydynia. Coccydynia is felt as a localized pain and will generally feel worse when sitting or with any activity that puts pressure on the bottom area of the spine.
Apart from pain localized around tail bone area, coccydynia may also present with backpain.
There are numerous causes for coccydynia. An xray of the involved part (sacrum with coccyx) and an MRI scan will help in identifying the culprit.
The general treatment guidelines for this condition includes the following -
* Sit completely upright with proper posture — keeping your back firmly against the chair, knees level with your hips, feet flat on the floor and shoulders relaxed
* Sitz baths (which involves soaking hips and buttocks in warm water), which helps in providing pain relief
* Lean forward while sitting down
* Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow or wedge (V-shaped) cushion
affected area
*Physical therapy involving strengthening of pelvic area muscles , stimulation with ultrasound therapy
* Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil)
* If no response is found with analgesic medications, then local corticosteroid injections are given to give a substantially long term pain relief, which may last from few weeks to months.
I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
Dr. Saurabh Gupta
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :2004
Answered : 5930 Questions
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