Tailbone Hurts When I Sit Down
Coccydynia is the main reason why the tailbone or the coccyx feels pain when patients sit. Below is a list of facts that are associated with coccydynia.
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Normal symptom of coccydynia is mild to severe pain when pressure is applied to the tailbone or coccyx.
This usually happens when sitting down especially on a hard surface. -
Other symptoms that are associated with the condition include sudden and severe pain when shifting from a sitting to a standing position. Pain and discomfort during removal of bowels can also be experienced along with a deep ache in the tailbone area.
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Secondary symptoms include pain in the feet, fatigue, depression, lack of sleep, back pains, buttocks become hypersensitive, and plantar fasciitis. One or majority of the symptoms can be experienced by a patient who has coccydynia. These symptoms are brought about by the inability to use the area where the tailbone is located properly.
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The condition can be diagnosed by thoroughly investigating a patient’s medical history. Then a lateral x-ray will be taken to see if there are fractures in the tailbone. Other tests that help in the diagnosis include CT scans and MRIs.
Causes and Treatment for Hurting Tailbone
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There are also other reasons why tailbone hurts when pressure is applied to it. Some of these mimic coccydynia symptoms. These include fracture of the tailbone, sciatica, pilonidal cysts, and infection.
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Trauma or injury can cause coccydynia and thus lead to pain in the tailbone. A good example is trauma from childbirth.
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Tumors. This rarely happens to patients but when it does, it can cause coccydynia and severe pain in the tailbone.
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NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat coccydynia. Ibuprofen and naproxen are some of the widely used drugs under the mentioned category.
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Doctors also recommend the use of therapeutic sitting cushions. This helps in removing pressure from the tailbone when patients sit. Other doctors would recommend a customized sitting cushion that is made by a biomedical engineer.
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Physical therapy together with heat, massages, and ultrasound can aid in strengthening the muscles supporting the tailbone which leads to faster recovery.
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Coccygeal manipulation can also be done wherein the coccyx or the tailbone is moved back to its original position. The process helps alleviate pain.
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Coccygectomy. A surgical procedure that will permanently remove the tailbone can be done in very severe cases.
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There are times when a rehabilitation program for multidisciplinary pain relief is recommended to treat the condition along with its secondary symptoms.