Coccydynia
Coccydynia is a term used to describe pain around the coccyx, or “tail bone” at the bottom of the spine/top of the buttock crease
Coccydynia can be a challenging condition to manage however in most cases, people suffering with coccydynia will not need to see a physiotherapist and by keeping active and using over-the-counter painkillers their problem will settle.
If your pain persists, becomes severe, you have a high temperature or pain in another area, such as in your tummy or lower back, then please consult your GP.
Causes
- Coccydynia can occur if you injure your coccyx, such as a fall onto your bottom or prolonged sitting on a hard surface.
- It can also be brought during pregnancy or child-birth.
- It can come on gradually and may be due to repeated or prolonged postures or movements.
- Age related changes, often called arthritis can also cause coccyx pain.
- In very rare cases, infection or tumours near the coccyx can cause pain.
- In many cases, no obvious cause can be found
Symptoms
Common symptoms of coccydynia include:
Pain and tenderness in the coccyx area (just above the buttocks). The pain can be dull and achy most of the time with occasional sharp pains.
Symptoms are usually worse with sitting, moving from sitting to standing or prolonged standing can be painful. You may experience pain during sex or when opening your bowels.
It can make sleeping difficult and driving or bending may be painful.
Diagnosis is generally made through clinical assessment including medical history and physical assessment. Sometimes imaging such as X-rays or MRI scans are required to rule out other possible causes of the pain.
Coccydynia will often improve on its own after a few weeks and there are some simple treatments you can try at home to help reduce pain and allow you to get on with your everyday activities:
- Sit on well cushioned seats and avoid sitting for too long – try and stand up and walk regularly. Leaning forwards and avoiding slouching when sitting may also help.
- Use a specially designed coccyx cushion (can be purchase online) to help reduce the pressure through the tailbone when sitting.
- Applying heat or ice to affected area may help short term.
- Try lying on your side to sleep with a pillow between your knees.
- Try laxatives (medicines to treat constipation) if the pain is worse when you are having a poo – many laxatives are available to buy from pharmacies and supermarkets without a prescription.
- Over-the-counter painkillers may help alleviate some discomfort.
- Avoid wearing clothes that are tight around your bottom and lower back, like some types of jeans
- In a small number of cases, more invasive treatments may be offered such as injections or surgical options.
