Category: coccyx or tailbone pain

coccydynia, Coccyx, coccyx or tailbone pain

COCCYX PAIN

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In general, coccyx pain is caused by injury. Coccyx injuries are due to direct impact from a fall onto your bottom. The severity of the injury can range from a bruise to a fracture. Most coccyx injuries heal on their own given time and self-management.

Below are some of the advice to help people with coccyx pain:

  • People with coccyx pain are advised to avoid sitting for long periods, so if you can stand during the day, that is recommended. If you must sit, leaning forward will take some of the pressure off your coccyx.
  • Some people find sitting on a “coccyx cushion”, which has a U-Shaped design at the back, helps to avoid weight bearing on the coccyx while sitting.
  • Cold compression can be applied for up to 20 minutes at a time, several times throughout the day.
  • Simple pain killers such as paracetamol and/or ibuprofen can be very effective for helping with pain and swelling, but don’t use them for more than 2 weeks without seeking medical advice.
  • Exercises. It is important to keep your lumbar spine moving normally. The exercises below will help to gently maintain or regain normal movement:
  • (a) Extension Facing Wall. Stand, leaning against a wall with your feet 30 cm (1 foot) from the wall. Puch your stomach and pelvis towards the wall and hold for 5 seconds before returning to the start position. Repeat 2-3 times each hour. (Note – if your stomach touches the wall, move your feet backwards a little for the next stretch.
  • (b) Side Flexion in Standing. Stand with your arms by your side. Slowly slide one hand down the outside of your leg so you feel a stretch. Slowly return to the upright position and repeat to the opposite side. Repeat 2-3 times every hour.
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coccyx or tailbone pain

COCCYX PAIN

S Bara

Pain in the coccyx (or tail bone) is generally due to injury. At times pain in the coccyx can be caused by degenerative changes in your body. Some coccyx pain can be due to seating on top of a hard surface for a prolonged period of time. The severity of injury can range from a bruise to a fracture. Injury can be due to direct impact from a fall onto your bottom.

The following may help reduce the coccyx pain:

back pain, Coccyx, coccyx or tailbone pain, sciatica, sciatica during pregnancy, seat cushion

5 BEST TIPS WHEN TRAVELLING BY AIRPLANE, COACH OR BY CAR WHEN YOU SUFFER FROM SCIATICA

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  • Get an aisle seat. If you travel by coach or taking a flight, make sure you get an aisle seat. With an aisle seat you don’t have to worry about disturbing anyone.
  • Have plenty of stops if travelling by car. Make sure you stop regularly to walk around and stretch.
  • Stretch regularly. This relives pressure in your sciatic nerve and promote blood flow and reduce the pain.
  • If its a long journey try and shorten it by going to sleep in a hotel and continue the journey the following day.
  • Sciatic pain relief cushion. Invest in a memory foam seat cushion. Simple to use and easy to carry, U-Shaped seat cushion designed to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve while sitting. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Products-Innova-Orthopedic-Cushion-Removable/dp/B07Q6RVPXB/ref=sr_1_30?keywords=coccyx+seat+cushion&qid=1581838770&sr=8-30
Picture of a U-Shaped memory foam seat cushion. Picture is placed on top of a car seat with a U-shape of the cushion against the back of the car chair
back pain, coccydynia, Coccyx, coccyx or tailbone pain, sciatica, seat cushion

WHEN SITTING ON A CHAIR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND/OR WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCES WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SEAT ON TOP OF A SEAT CUSHION?

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Seating on a chair for long period of time and/or driving long distances without taking a break will increase pressure in your lower back. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-to-sit-correctly/ This increased pressure in your lower back will not only cause pressure damage in your buttock but will also cause pressure in you sciatic nerve. If you have ever spent a long time sitting in a plane, you will remember that no matter how comfortable the seat starts out feeling, after few hours you get uncomfortable and anxious to get up and move around. Sitting on a chair and/or sitting in a car for long time may cause the discomfort as if you are sitting in a plane for long time. As on an aeroplane, this may cause not only stiffness but also pressure damage and either lethargy or restlessness. So, seating on the best seat cushion will not only make you comfortable but will also prevent pressure damage, promote blood flow and reduce pressure in your sciatic nerve and relieve pressure in your lower back and spine.

There are various types of seat cushions on the market today and this variety may cause difficulty in choosing the right seat cushion. So, to help in making the right choice, below are 5 things you need to know before choosing the right seat cushion:

  • Price

There are cheaper seat cushions on the market (which of cause come with inferior quality). There are also those moderate and luxury options that offer superior quality that will suit your specific demands.

  • The inner material

When selecting the seat cushion, you will need to think of the seat cushion that is made of an ultra comfortable memory foam that contours to the curves of your body and yet never loses its own shape even after prolonged use.

  • The outer material

For maximum comfort the material that make the outer cover should be plush & ultra cozy to prevent friction. The seat cushion cover should be hypoallergenic for those with sensitive skin and should be easily removable and machine washable.

  • Portability

The benefit of buying a portable seat cushion is that you can take it out of your car and use it inside your home when sitting in front of your study desk or when sitting on your sofa. Portable seat cushion is also useful for drivers who switch between cars. The seat cushion should be lightweight and compact, this make them convenient for travel and road trips.

coccyx or tailbone pain

HEALING TIME FOR COCCYX PAIN / TAILBONE PAIN

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Most cases of coccyx pain that are caused by injury improve within several weeks with proper medication and self-care with home remedies. However, the healing time for coccyx pain ultimately depends of many factors, for example:

  • the underlying cause of the coccyx pain (whether from trauma, tumour or infection).
  • if due to trauma, the severity of the injury (a bruise, fracture or dislocation) determines the healing time.
  • the patient’s ability to comply with medical treatment.
  • the person’s underlying general health and natural ability to recuperate and heal.
  • some people suffer from chronic coccyx discomfort despite medical treatment. This can be an extremely frustrating and debilitating problem.
coccyx or tailbone pain

TREATMENT FOR COCCYX PAIN / TAILBONE PAIN

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In addition to home remedies, a health-care professional may provide further relief of pain with other medical interventions:

  • > a doctor may prescribe stronger pain medication for severe coccyx pain not relieved with over-the-counter pain medication.
  • > injections of local anaesthetic or corticosteroids into the coccyx area may be performed in cases of continued coccyx pain that do not respond to other conservative treatment measures.
  • > if the cause of the pail is a pilonidal cyst, incision and drainage of the cyst may be required.
  • > infection of the tailbone may require antibiotics.
  • >Physical therapy may be recommended and helpful for some individuals.
coccyx or tailbone pain

5 HOME REMEDIES FOR COCCYX PAIN OR TAILBONE PAIN

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Coccyx pain can often be extremely painful and debilitating, home care remedies below are aimed at controlling the pain and avoiding further irritation to the coccyx:

  • Avoid sitting down on hard surface for long periods of time. When sitting on hard surface lean forward and direct weight away from the tailbone.
  • Purchase a U-shaped 100% memory foam seat cushion. This cushion helps to avoid direct painful contact against the coccyx area. You can purchase this cushion on Amazon at the following web address https://www.baraimporting.uk/innova-orthopedic-seat-cushion.html
A U-shaped 100% memory foam seat cushion designed to help with coccyx pain or tailbone pain. When seating on the chair at home or in the office or in a public place, car seat, stadium seat, wheel chair, this cushion has a U-shape design to help avoid direct painful contact against the coccyx area. This cushion feature an outer zippered pillow case that's ultra sleek and soft and feels minky to the touch. The pillow case is removable, easy to clean and machine washable. The entire coccyx cushion dotes a U-shaped design, making the entire set ergonomic and perfect for contouring to any body shape and size.
  • Use NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain control. These are available at any pharmacy without a prescription. However, if you want strong NSAIDs you will need to go to the Doctor who will make a prescription.
  • Eat foods high in fibre to soften stools and avoid constipation, which can sometimes cause worsening pain in the coccyx area.
  • For traumatic injuries, apply ice to the tailbone area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day, for first few days after the injury. Wrap the ice (or ice pack) in a towel so that it doesn’t directly touch your skin and cause an ice burn.