Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Get medical attention
• Method 2 of 2: Using home remedies
• Tips
• Warnings

Coccygodynia, or coccyx or tailbone pain, can be caused by structural abnormalities, falls, or unknown reasons. Tailbone pain occurs especially when you sit for a long time. In some cases, acute pain occurs when the patient stands up from a sitting position. There may also be pain during sex or when defecating.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Get medical attention

1. Go to your doctor and get examined. Your doctor knows what to look for when evaluating tailbone pain. He / she can have X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI scan. The two most effective studies in diagnosing coccygodynia are injecting a topical anesthetic into the coccyx area to see if it temporarily relieves the pain, and comparing sitting and standing X-rays to see if the tailbone shifts when you sit down.
   • Your doctor should also keep an eye out for hair nest cysts, which only occur near the tailbone and are caused by inflammation of an ingrown hair follicle. Successful treatment of these types of cysts usually relieves pain or disappears completely.
2. Know the symptoms associated with tailbone damage. You will have to go to the doctor for the official diagnosis, but if you know the symptoms you can already see if it has to do with your tailbone. Symptoms associated with tailbone disease include:
   • Pain in the tailbone or tailbone without back pain
   • Pain when getting up from a sitting position
   • Often having to defecate, or pain when defecating
   • Reduction of pain when sitting on the knees or on one buttock
3. Think about the possible causes of the pain in your tailbone. If you hurt your tailbone in any way, tell your doctor during the appointment. It can help the doctor determine the right treatment method.
   • Coccygodynia is about five times more common in women than in men. This may be due to damage to the tailbone during delivery.
4. Ask your doctor if he / she can prescribe your medication to relieve the pain in the tailbone. There are certain anti-epileptics and antidepressants that also help with tailbone pain. Ask your doctor if it is possible to start using one of these medications.
   • Note that drugs are usually only given if the tailbone is broken. If you have a broken tailbone, your doctor can prescribe a strong pain reliever. An X-ray shows whether there is a fracture in the tailbone.
5. Consider having surgery if nothing else helps. Most people who undergo surgery to get rid of tailbone pain have already tried multiple treatments that don't involve surgery. Try all other options before moving on to the painful and sometimes grueling operation.
   • If the pain is bad enough, has been present every day for more than 6 months, and / or is affecting your quality of life, ask if you can be referred to an orthopedic specialist who specializes in coccyx removal.

Method 2 of 2: Using home remedies

1. Keep the place cold. Applying ice to the tailbone will reduce pain and inflammation. For the first 48 hours after you get hurt, put ice on your tailbone every hour. Place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on your tailbone for 20 minutes. After 48 hours, you can still chill it if you prefer, three times a day, the same way.
2. Take a pain reliever. Take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever to reduce the pain and swelling. You can buy these over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, at the drugstore, supermarket or pharmacy.
   • Take 600 mg of ibuprofen every eight hours, or take 500 mg of acetaminophen every 4 hours. Do not exceed the recommended daily amount of 3500 mg paracetamol per 24 hours.
3. Have good posture. Bad posture can contribute to tailbone pain. Try to sit upright, keep your core muscles tight, your neck straight and your back in a slight curve. If you feel severe pain while sitting, lean forward slightly and arch your back before standing up.
4. Sit on a pillow. There are special pillows with a hole in them for people who have pain in their tailbone. This can help if it hurts to sit. You can make your own pillow by purchasing a piece of foam rubber. Cut a hole in the center to make it look like a toilet seat.
   • A donut pillow is uncomfortable for most people, as it relieves pressure on the genitals, not the tailbone. Talk to your doctor about using a wedge-shaped pillow.
5. Put something warm on it. Research shows that the pain decreases when you put something warm on your tailbone. Place a heating pad on your tailbone 4 times a day for 20 minutes.
   • If you don't have a heating pad, try a warm compress or bath.
6. Take time to rest and recover. If it turns out that your tailbone is broken, it cannot be put in a cast. Therefore, you should rest for eight to 12 weeks and avoid strenuous activities. If you have a physically demanding job, you need to take time off from it so your body can heal.
7. Don't put too much pressure when you poop. Some people experience tailbone pain when they have to defecate. Avoid constipation by eating enough fiber and drinking water. If necessary, take a mild laxative while your tailbone is healing.

Tips

• Pain in the tailbone can indicate problems with the SI joint. The hips and tailbone may not be properly aligned. This can lead to pain in the tailbone or on the sides of it.

Warnings

• You can suffer from your tailbone for a very long time. Doctors report that many patients continue to experience pain for months after injuring their tailbone.
• Contact your doctor or the emergency room as soon as possible if your tailbone pain becomes excruciating or if you have pain for no apparent cause.