What are the Causes of Sore Tailbone and Its Home Treatments

Sore Tailbone

Sore tailbone is a persistent pain felt at the bottom of the spine. This pain may worsen when a person sits abruptly or when doing any activity that exerts pressure in the coccyx bone. Such conditions include constipation, bicycling, and horseback riding. The site is tender and painful in between the buttocks, with the presence of some localized rash.

Sore tailbone can be relieved, but it will take some time depending on the extent of the condition. There are some other diagnostic tests that can figure the condition, such as CAT scan or MRI scan.

Symptoms of a sore tailbone may consist of the following;

• Worsening pain while sitting.
• Pain in the tailbone, especially when pressure is exerted on it.
• Worsening pain from sitting to standing position.
• Pain when constipated. This is usually relieved by bowel elimination.

This condition is more common in women than men, because this can be an effect of giving birth.

Causes of Sore Tailbone

It is said that the cause of having a tailbone sore is rare or unknown, but most of the cases happen due to some forms of trauma:

• Falls, especially in a seated position, is the most common cause.
• Childbirth
• Activities that cause straining or friction force against the coccyx, such as bicycling.
• Sitting improperly
• Infections and tumors are some of the rare causes.

Treatment for Sore Tailbone

The aim of the treatment is to alleviate pain. Management involves the following:

• A cushion that has a cut out at the back is recommended, to alleviate pain while sitting. Patients are also advised to avoid long periods of sitting. Other techniques include alternate seating, one side of a buttock in each try. Lean forward to keep the weight away from the tailbone.
• If straining during bowel elimination worsens the pain, use a stool softener for an easy bowel movement, or the patient must eat foods high in fiber to aid in the proper bowel elimination.
• Hot compresses and massages. Apply ice on the tailbone area for 15-20 minutes, repeated for four times a day, only for the first weeks of the injury only.
• Physical therapy. This usually involves coccygeal manipulation, where in the therapist tries to move the coccyx back into its proper position.
• Proper rest and posture.
• Refrain from doing rigid activities that would injure the site.