Causes a painful tailbone which can be bothersome

A sore tailbone can make you uncomfortable with activities. In fact, the pain caused can spread to other parts, such as the hips, thighs, and rectum. As a result, it can be difficult for you to sit up, exercise, or even get disturbed sleep. So, what causes a sore tailbone and how to deal with it? Here's more in-depth information about tailbone pain that you need to know.

What is coccyx pain?

Tailbone pain, or in medical parlance is called coccydynia, is pain that occurs in or around your tailbone. This condition occurs when your tailbone becomes inflamed as a result of a stimulation, which then causes very disturbing pain.

The coccyx (coccyx bone) itself is a curved, V-shaped part of the bone that sits in the lower area of ​​the spine. This part of the bone supports the body when in a sitting position and helps to transfer weight when changing the sitting position. It is also the area where muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons from other locations in the body come together.

Most people who experience coccydynia feel dull aches and aches in the tailbone area and around it. This pain can be sharp or tingling when doing certain activities, such as sitting, leaning on your back, rising from a sitting to standing position, or standing for long periods of time.

This pain can also appear when a person defecates, and during sex. For women, a sore tailbone due to coccydynia can be very uncomfortable during menstruation or menstruation.

Causes of pain or pain in the coccyx

Most cases of coccydynia are caused by injury or trauma, either external or internal, to the coccyx that causes inflammation. However, in rare cases, this condition appears to appear on its own for no apparent reason. Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic, this unknown cause is found in one-third of people from total cases of coccydynia.

Inflammation of the coccyx can arise due to various health problems, ranging from trivial to serious. Trivial things, like sitting on a hard or narrow surface, can cause your tailbone to hurt.

However, this condition can also occur due to various other causes. The following are the most common causes of coccyx pain:

• Fall down

Falling towards the back, such as falling from a ladder or chair, is the most common cause of tailbone pain. In severe cases, falls can cause bruising to fracture or a bone that falls out of place (bone dislocation).

• Pregnancy and childbirth

During pregnancy, the bigger the trimester, the greater the pressure on the sitting bones. This makes it easier for the coccyx to experience pain.

In addition, late in pregnancy, a woman's coccyx becomes more flexible to facilitate vaginal delivery. However, sometimes, childbirth causes spasms of the muscles and ligaments around the coccyx. This condition then makes your tailbone feel pain.

• Repetitive movements

Repetitive movements that put pressure or strain on the tailbone can also be a cause of coccydynia. This usually occurs when you are cycling and rowing, which requires you to lean back and forth and stretch your spine.

• Weight not right

Incorrect body weight, be it excess (obesity) or less, can be the cause of your tailbone pain. The extra weight or stress on obese people can cause your tailbone to tend to lean back or get out of position, causing pain.

In addition, someone who is underweight generally does not have enough fat in the buttocks area. The insufficient fat in the area can cause friction between the tailbone and muscles, ligaments and tendons, which can be the cause of coccydynia.

• Infection

Infection of the spine can also be a cause of pain in the tailbone. One of them is osteomyelitis, which can start in the bone itself or an injury to another area of ​​the body exposes the bone to germs.

• Tumor or cancer

In rare cases, pain in the tailbone can be a sign of a more serious condition. One of them is a tumor or cancer in the spinal area.

How to deal with tailbone pain?

A diseased tailbone may go away on its own within a few weeks or months with home remedies. If you feel pain in the tailbone, you can try the following simple remedies and remedies:

• Lean forward while sitting.
• Sit on a pillow shaped like a donut or V.
• Take a hot shower to relax muscle spasms.
• Use a hot or cold compress on the back and down area, for no more than 20-30 minutes, several times a day.
• Do stretches around the lower back and pelvis.
• Spend less time sitting, alternating with occasional walks if you have to sit for long periods of time or use a standing desk.
• Wear loose clothing.
• Take an over the counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.

If you do not recover in these ways, you should consult a doctor immediately, especially if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as severe back pain, tingling or numbness, prolonged constipation, or unable to control urine and feces..

In this condition, the doctor will find out what is the cause of your condition and provide appropriate treatment. However, in more severe conditions, some medications and treatments you can take for a sore tailbone can include:

• Medications, such as steroid or nerve block injections, antidepressant drugs, anti-epileptic drugs, or stool softeners.
• Physical therapy with a therapist, such as performing pelvic floor relaxation techniques.
• Massage therapy in the muscles around the coccyx (usually only gives a temporary effect).
• Account punktur.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
• Surgical removal of part or all of the tailbone (coccygectomy), especially for very severe conditions.

Some other types of treatment may be given by doctors for a sore tailbone due to other health problems, such as tumors, cancer, or fractures. Consult with your doctor for the right type of treatment for your condition.