Tailbone Pain: Reasons and Remedies to Prevent it

Due to a busy lifestyle, we often ignore taking care of our physical health. Prolonged sitting during office hours or study time is one of the main reasons for back problems, with tailbone pain being one of them. The tailbone, or coccyx, maintains our body’s weight when we sit. It is the last bone of the spine, which plays an important role in balancing our body and protecting the nervous system.

Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, can be caused due to bruising, dislocation, strain, or fracture of the coccyx (tailbone). Sometimes it becomes so intense it makes it difficult to perform daily activities. Therefore, identifying tailbone pain reasons is essential for determining the appropriate treatment.

Let’s Discuss a few Common Reasons for Tailbone Pain

1. Poor Posture: Poor posture, such as slouching, is one of the main reasons for tailbone pain. And sitting in the wrong posture for a long time can lead to this serious problem. Therefore, maintaining a correct posture is essential to prevent tailbone pain. To get some relief, one can perform tailbone
stretches regularly and use a coccyx seat cushion while sitting.

2. Overweight: People who are overweight often face the problem of tailbone pain, mainly while sitting for a long time. Extra weight puts more pressure on the Coccyx, causing Coccydynia. To avoid this, one should exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet plan to maintain body weight.

3. Injury: An injury that occurred due to a direct fall onto the tailbone is another common reason for tailbone pain reasons. Such falls can result in bruising, dislocation, or fracture of the tailbone, causing significant pain. In such cases, applying ice packs or heat pads, along with pain-relieving ointments, can be the best first-aid treatment. However, if the pain persists for a long period, consulting a physician is necessary.

4. Pregnancy and Childbirth: Many women face tailbone pain during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. During that time, the secretion of the relaxin hormone in the female body softens the region between the tailbone and sacrum. However, sometimes the muscles and ligaments stretch so much that it results in tailbone pain. Performing gentle tailbone stretches, maintaining good posture, and using pregnancy pillows can be really helpful in reducing this pain.

5. Prolonged Sitting: Sitting for extended periods, especially on a hard surface, puts more pressure on the tailbone, which can lead to coccydynia. To alleviate the risk of coccydynia, one should avoid sitting for too long by taking small breaks every 20–30 minutes. Using a coccyx seat cushion provides proper support to the pelvic area and thighs, benefiting in reducing the tailbone pain.

6. Repetitive Strain Injury: The repetitive strain injury is another common reason for tailbone pain. It occurs due to repetitive motion of the tissues around the tailbone. This can happen while engaging in sports like bicycling and rowing. In such a case, a heating pad or ice pack can be applied to the affected area to reduce pain and discomfort.

The tailbone, one of the smallest and most important bones in our body, can lead to extreme discomfort if injured or dislocated. There can be several reasons behind tailbone pain, or coccydynia, including poor posture, injury, pregnancy, overweight, repetitive strain, and certain diseases.

This pain can be reduced by maintaining a good posture, using a heating pad or ice pack, managing body weight, applying pain-relieving ointments, and using a coccyx seat cushion.

Dr. Ortho offers an orthopaedically designed U-shaped coccyx seat cushion that can be very helpful in reducing tailbone pain. It can be placed on a chair, airplane seat, car seat, or floor to enhance your sitting experience. Its non-slip design provides ample support to the pelvic area and tailbone, making your sitting experience more comfortable. It is an ideal pick for people suffering from tailbone pain.

FAQs

What are the common reasons for tailbone pain?

Though tailbone pain can be caused due to several reasons, the common reasons include poor posture, injury, overweight, pregnancy and childbirth, prolonged sitting, repetitive strain, and certain diseases.

What are the remedies for tailbone pain?

One can try several remedies to reduce tailbone pain. Some of them include maintaining a good posture, doing some light stretching exercises using a heating pad or ice pack, managing body weight, applying pain-relieving ointments, and using a coccyx seat cushion.

Does Dr. Ortho Coccyx Seat Cushion provide relief from tailbone pain?

Yes, Dr. Ortho Coccyx Seat Cushion is ergonomically designed and U-shaped, which provides ample support and comfort to the pelvic region and lower back, reducing tailbone pain. However, if it does not work, consult a healthcare professional.

How can I use the Dr. Ortho Coccyx Seat Cushion?

Dr. Ortho Coccyx Seat Cushion can be placed on a chair, airplane seat, car seat, or floor to make your sitting experience more comfortable.