Physical Therapy and Coccydynia Exercises For Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain is a relatively common ailment that can affect many people. In most cases, it will go away on its own, but in more severe cases the discomfort can be debilitating. The discomfort may be dull and aching or sharp and stabbing depending on where it originates – usually from sitting too much, falling over, having arthritis in one’s joints due to age or childbirth.
Inflammation and overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles can aggravate pain symptoms. Exercising specific stretches can reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on the tailbone.
Stretching the Piriformis and Iliopsoas Muscle: This simple stretch can help relieve tailbone pain by stretching the piriformis muscle, which originates from the tailbone and may irritate the sciatic nerve if inflamed. As you increase the stretch over time, more range of motion will be provided.
Happy Baby Pose: This simple pose not only stretches the inner thighs and hips, but can also relieve tailbone pain. While you can do this exercise lying down, it is recommended that you consult a physician prior to beginning this exercise.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Pelvic floor physical therapy can be beneficial for people suffering from coccydynia/tailbone pain, as it helps reduce pelvic floor muscle tension and promotes proper posture and balance. Physiotherapists trained in pelvic floor physical therapy will be able to teach patients proper positioning and relaxation techniques that will alleviate their symptoms.
Utilizing Heat or Ice: Applying heat or ice directly on the coccyx can help alleviate pain immediately. A physical therapist can offer specific advice and exercises that will reduce discomfort, increase mobility, and strengthen muscles surrounding the coccyx.
Avoid Sitting on Hard Surfaces: Avoid sitting on hard surfaces whenever possible as they can cause the coccyx to become painful or stiff. It is recommended to sit on a soft or padded surface such as a couch, chair, or stool whenever possible in order to protect your coccyx from further aggravation.
Treating Coccydynia/tailbone Injuries: A physical therapist can accurately identify the injury causing your discomfort and suggest treatments, such as coccygeal manipulation and/or steroid injections for inflammation reduction.
If none of these treatments work, a doctor can accurately diagnose the source of your discomfort and suggest other measures to relieve it. They may even determine if surgery is necessary.
Coccyxectomy (removal of part of the coccyx) is an extremely rare procedure and should only be considered when other treatments have failed or are ineffective. Recovery usually takes around six months to a year, and if you must undergo this operation it’s wise to consult a physical therapist for guidance on how best to manage any remaining pain.
Other Treatments: Your physical therapist can suggest a variety of other treatments to alleviate symptoms and lower the likelihood of recurrences. These may include coccygeal nerve block injections, numbing medications or massage therapy, stretching exercises, as well as improving posture.
