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How to Deal With a Pain in the Coccyx

By Krista Elliott

When I was a teenager, my mom used to occasionally tell me I was being a pain in the coccyx. This is what passes for humor among nurses, evidently.

Her statement was accurate, however. The coccyx is the tailbone, which is located at the very bottom of the spine. And goodness knows I was a pain in her bottom (figuratively, not literally). 

The strain of smart-mouthed teenagers notwithstanding, there are many other reasons why someone might experience true physical pain in their tailbone. But when is tailbone pain something to worry about? And how can you find relief?

Structure of the Tailbone

The coccyx consists of three to five bone segments that are connected with joints and ligaments. Unlike most of the rest of the spine, the tailbone has a very limited range of motion, so anything that forces it to move beyond that can cause significant injury. Because women have a broader pelvis and hips that tilt forward, our tailbones stick out a bit more, making women more susceptible to injuries in this area. (Women: Putting up with giant pains in the butt for over 200,000 years.)  

How Do Tailbone Injuries Happen?

Most tailbone injuries result from falls, like when you slip on ice and land on your backside, or if you fall down the stairs. Less commonly, the tailbone can be damaged or even fractured in childbirth due to the pressure of the baby’s head. It can also be injured through excess pressure, such as if you sit on a hard seat for a long period of time or experience hard bumps and jostling when on a bike, motorcycle, or horse.

How to Treat Tailbone Injuries

If you experience tailbone pain, you should first visit your primary healthcare practitioner to rule out the possibility of any fractures. Once you’ve been cleared for bodywork, your next step should be to visit the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic. With gentle and precise adjustments, the chiropractors at The Joint can help ensure that the segments in your tailbone are properly aligned, helping to reduce pain and speed healing. In addition, routine chiropractic care from The Joint will help ensure that ALL of your joints are in the best alignment possible, helping you feel great and improving your balance and resistance to future injuries.

So let The Joint help you handle YOUR pain in the coccyx. We mean your tailbone, BTW, not your sassy teenager: There are some pains even we can’t fix. 

To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.

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