www.coccyx.org/
From the site:
Coccyx pain is often caused by falling backwards or by childbirth, though the cause of pain is unknown in about a third of cases. It makes it very painful to sit down. There are effective treatments available, and the great majority of sufferers from tail bone pain can be cured. You're not alone, and you're not going mad!
Pain in the area of the coccyx is called coccydynia or coccygodynia. I use the first because it is shorter, but if you are searching on the web you need to try both. 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 trigger 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 abnormal movement of the 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. There is still hope for the small minority of people who cannot be permanently cured of the condition. In 'The Tragedy of Needless Pain' (Scientific American, see links page), Ronald Melzack shows that chronic pain may be kept at bay indefinitely in most people by using morphine, without the risk of addiction.
First aid:
The best first aid is to avoid what causes the pain. Unfortunately that means avoiding sitting down, and that's very difficult to do, especially if you're hoping that it's just a minor injury that will go away by itself, and you don't want to make a fuss. But it really is worth trying. Every time you sit down you're aggravating the injury. If you carry on as before, you're like a runner who has sprained an ankle, but insists on carrying on running.
If you do sit down, a cushion with a slot cut out under your coccyx can help. Start now - don't wait till you're desperate. See the section on coping for hints on how to get through life without sitting down.
Some doctors recommend ice packs to reduce the inflammation. See if they work for you. Some people find a hot water bottle or heated pad relieve the pain. The doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Several people have reported that suppositories of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory, help with the pain. If you use drugs to help with the pain, you need to be careful not to use them to mask the pain, sit longer, and aggravate the cause of the pain.
If the damage is minor and you're lucky, the pain may go away without further treatment.
From the site:
Coccyx pain is often caused by falling backwards or by childbirth, though the cause of pain is unknown in about a third of cases. It makes it very painful to sit down. There are effective treatments available, and the great majority of sufferers from tail bone pain can be cured. You're not alone, and you're not going mad!
Pain in the area of the coccyx is called coccydynia or coccygodynia. I use the first because it is shorter, but if you are searching on the web you need to try both. 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 trigger 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 abnormal movement of the 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. There is still hope for the small minority of people who cannot be permanently cured of the condition. In 'The Tragedy of Needless Pain' (Scientific American, see links page), Ronald Melzack shows that chronic pain may be kept at bay indefinitely in most people by using morphine, without the risk of addiction.
First aid:
The best first aid is to avoid what causes the pain. Unfortunately that means avoiding sitting down, and that's very difficult to do, especially if you're hoping that it's just a minor injury that will go away by itself, and you don't want to make a fuss. But it really is worth trying. Every time you sit down you're aggravating the injury. If you carry on as before, you're like a runner who has sprained an ankle, but insists on carrying on running.
If you do sit down, a cushion with a slot cut out under your coccyx can help. Start now - don't wait till you're desperate. See the section on coping for hints on how to get through life without sitting down.
Some doctors recommend ice packs to reduce the inflammation. See if they work for you. Some people find a hot water bottle or heated pad relieve the pain. The doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Several people have reported that suppositories of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory, help with the pain. If you use drugs to help with the pain, you need to be careful not to use them to mask the pain, sit longer, and aggravate the cause of the pain.
If the damage is minor and you're lucky, the pain may go away without further treatment.
USA
