7 tips to release your coccyx pain

Tailbone or coccyx pain can be described as a painful sensation located right at the bottom of the spine and above the buttock. The causes can be multiple: overuse injury during a sports activity, fall, prolonged position…

But it is mostly common in women and during pregnancy to be precise. On the last trimester and with the baby constantly growing, the ligaments around the coccyx loosen up to make more room, which moves the coccyx. On a related note, it can as well happen during or after vaginal childbirth.

In general, tailbone pain will appear to be dull and achy but from time to time, it is possible to feel a shaper pain coming up. Not only it can as well get worse when you stay for too long in the same position, or move from sitting to standing, but the pain can arise during sexual intercourse too, or when you go to the loo.

Coccyx pain will limit your daily activities and simple tasks like driving or pick up something on the floor.

So how can you release tailbone pain?

There are a lot of ways to help treat it. You can start by self-managing your symptoms as much as you can before seeking help of professional methods:

  • Avoid staying for too long in the same (sitting or standing) position and use a special cushion when sitting down (doughnut-shaped or v-shaped)
  • Apply cold or hot pads in the affected region to bring an acute relief
  • Use self-medication such as anti-inflammatory and painkillers
  • Seek the help of physical therapy: if your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks, the best thing is to consult a physiotherapist. Stretching and advised exercises will be great help to make you feel better without hurting yourself furthermore. Some positions like the cat cow stretch, the child’s position or the pigeon pose can stretch your back, muscles and pelvic floor. Pelvic and breathing exercising will also help take pressure off the tailbone, releasing the pain effectively.
  • Local mobilisation of the coccyx and sacrum by a qualified osteopath or physiotherapist can be used to help realign the position of the coccyx. Firstly, you can start with an external manipulation. If this isn’t enough, internal manipulation can also be done, but the therapist will always ask for your approval and request you to fill a form to authorise internal manipulation.
  • Massage and soft tissue manipulation on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the coccyx will help release the pain, as they’re usually the reason why the coccyx is held in the wrong position.
  • Injection of local anaesthetic and painkillers in the tailbone and surrounding area can help relieve the pain for a few weeks

More information

Mummy’s Physio is a team of physiotherapists and osteopaths with years of experiences and qualifications. Passionate and highly trained, they will be able to provide you the best treatments and rehabilitation in London, at the practices or at home.

For further information, visit our website on www.mummysphysio.com or contact us on 0207 125 0262 or at info@babyphysio.com.