Coccydynia

Coccydynia is a Painful medical condition of Tail bone pain in other words coccyx pain. The coccyx is at the lower end of the spine below the sacrum. The lower back is called the lumbar vertebrae followed by the sacrum and in the coccyx the tailbone. The Coccyx provides an important attachment for the tendon, ligaments, and muscles. Excessive movement of the coccyx is abnormal.  The coccyx is the shock absorber as when sitting the coccyx shift forward. The coccyx bear more weight when the person is sitting and leaning backward compared to when leaning forward.

Symptoms of Coccydynia

Coccydynia includes pain during sitting or when getting up from sitting. Pain originating in the middle just above the anus. The pain improves while leaning forward or to the side. Local tenderness just above the anus.

If you have any accompanying issues like

painful urination

urinary urgency and frequency

urinary incontinence

painful bowel movement

incomplete emptying of your bowel movements

Hip/Back/SI joint Pain can mean that your pelvic floor is also impacted by your tailbone.

Causes of Coccydynia

The most frequent Causes of Coccydynia include falling on the buttocks or backward. Bike riding. Fracture/Dislocation due to trauma or injury. Malignancy. Infection. Pregnancy/Labour. Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction or spasm. Idiopathic without any apparent cause.

Coccydynia is caused by Falling on the tailbone, resulting in chronic inflammation of the sacrococcygeal joint.  Treatment of Coccydynia includes Physiotherapy, in addition to alteration in sitting habits like a Cushion for sitting.

Physiotherapy treatments for Tailbone pain are

firstly Realigning the tailbone with the chiropractic adjustment.
Then Tailbone manipulation.
Next is Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) on account of pain relief
Also Shortwave diathermy (SWD).
Then we start some exercises for example- The tail-wagging exercise.
Next is Cat & Camel exercise.
In addition Prayer stretch.
Cobra stretch.
Piriformis stretch.
Gluteal stretch.
Hamstring stretch.
Ilio-psoas stretch
Trunk rotation exercises.
Bridging.
Pelvic floor release.
Lastly Posture correction and Ergonomics training, etc.
Surgical Treatment

In very rare cases surgical treatment is required. If non-surgical Treatment and Physiotherapy fail to relieve the pain, and there are red flag signs then maybe surgery is required.