Coccydynia – A Pain in the Butt!
Coccydynia – A Pain in the Butt!
What is a tail bone?
Your coccyx (Tail bone) is the last segment of bone at the bottom of your spine. This little segment is thought to be the remnant of the tail we once had. The coccyx consists of 3-5 simple vertebral units that are generally fused together.
What is Coccydynia?
Coccyx pain (Coccydynia) refers to pain in and around the coccyx (Tailbone), though it can radiate to the lower back and buttocks. It can be particularly disabling as one of the main issues is sitting down or moving from sitting to standing – something we do a lot of!
The coccyx is also an attachment site for many important muscles of the pelvic floor and it helps to support the anus. So it can be painful going to the bathroom.
What is causing my coccyx pain?
Coccyx pain can be contributed to by a number of factors including:
- Giving birth .The position of the coccyx makes it is susceptible to injury especially in a difficult labour or if instrumentation is needed.
- A hard impact onto the base of your spine, such as a fall, can potentially fracture or dislocate the coccyx. Luckily, most of the time this will only cause bruising.
- Prolonged pressure or strain on the coccyx. Certain sports such as rowing or cycling particularly for long periods of time can increase the pressure through the coccyx.
- Poor sitting posture. When you are sitting the coccyx acts like one leg of a tripod alongside your two sitting bones to distribute your weight when you are sitting.
- Weight loss or being overweight. A rapid weight loss can also decrease the cushioning around your tail bone.
- Increased tension in the deep pelvic floor muscles that attach to your coccyx.
- Being Female – Women are five times more likely to develop coccyx pain than men.
Should I see a Physiotherapist for Coccydinia?
Absolutely!
Our Physiotherapists at Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic Colac are here to help.
You shouldn’t have to put up with this pain.
Our Women’s Health Physiotherapist Sonam Jethwa is the ideal therapist to see for this issue.
How can Physiotherapy help my Coccydina?
Our Colac Physiotherapist Sonam Jethwa can use a combination of:
- Soft Tissue Therapy – to release glutes and hamstrings
- A specialised, progressive exercise program
- Provide a specialised cushion to make sitting comfortable
- Gentle mobilisations to reduce pain
- Referral for X -ray if required
- Real Time Ultrasound assessment of your Pelvic Floor – Check this out here –
- Real Time Ultrasound
To feel great again book an appointment today!
