coccydynia

Pain in the area of the coccyx (tailbone) is called coccydynia .Coccydynia can be anything from discomfort to acute pain, varying between people and varying with time in any individual. The name describes a pattern of symptoms (pain brought on or aggravated by sitting), so it is really a collection of conditions which can have different causes and need different treatments.

Coccydynia can follow after falls, childbirth, repetitive strain or surgery. In some cases the cause is unknown. The pain can disappear by itself or with treatment, or it can continue for years, and may get worse. It is five times more common in women than men, probably because the female pelvis leaves the coccyx more exposed. It appears that in most cases the pain is caused by an unstable coccyx, which causes chronic inflammation.

Medical trials have shown that coccydynia can be cured eventually in the great majority of cases, given the right treatment. However, finding a doctor who can do a proper diagnosis of the condition and supply effective treatments is difficult, and many people suffer years of pain

One of the first aims of investigation is to rule out any diseases such as cancer as the cause of the pain. This is very unlikely, but it needs to be checked. X-rays, CAT scans, MRI scans and colonoscopy may be used for this purpose.

When deciding on treatments, it is important to distinguish coccyx pain from low back pain or other sources not related to the coccyx These other problems may cause discomfort when sitting, but require different treatments from coccydynia.

But the tests above don't identify the cause of the pain in most cases. It is necessary to do other tests to find the cause of the pain. Injection of local anesthetic and Dynamic (sit/stand) x-ray are usually more helpful in finding the cause. Unfortunately, many doctors are not familiar with these tests.

Treatment of coccyx pain

If the coccyx is identified the source of the pain, a number of people have reported good results from manual treatments of the coccyx, when applied by experts in this technique. Other modality is an injection of an anti-inflammatory drug around the coccyx as the initial treatment. If such methods are not successful, the coccyx may be removed if the patient is regarded as a good candidate for surgery

Controlling the pain by methods which don't affect the underlying condition has good and bad sides. The obvious good point about pain control is that it stops the suffering and depression that pain causes, and allows you to carry on a more normal life. The other good point about pain control is that it can prevent the changes in processing of pain messages in the central nervous system that chronic pain can cause. Unrelieved pain can put the system out of balance and lead to more widespread pain that is difficult to treat.

But controlling pain has its drawbacks as well. If your pain is caused by an unstable coccyx, for instance, and you can't feel the pain of that any more, then you may well cause further damage to it without realising. You therefore need to be careful not to make your condition worse. Another problem with pain control is that some methods, such as drugs, have side-effects which may be unpleasant themselves, or even have long-term consequences if continued for a long time.

coccyx cushion

Coping with coccyx pain

Although coccydynia should be curable, many people have to endure it for years..

People are often too embarrassed to use the tricks for avoiding pain, like standing when others are sitting, or carrying a coccyx cushion with you. You imagine that everyone is watching you. You have to ignore this feeling, and do what is best for yourself. The first time is the hardest. But if you take it as something natural, everyone else will as well.