Thread: Tailbone/Coccyx Injury

I don't know what the heck happened but I have somehow injured or sprained my tailbone. It's so hard to sit down or sleep or even walk. Forget dancing! This happened two days ago and it seems to be getting worse. I was just sitting at the dining table when I felt like something pinched me in the tailbone. Because of the strain on the rest of the lower body, now everything around my lower back hurts.

Has anyone had an unknown injury to the tailbone that leaves you out of commission? When is it time to go to the doctor? I hate going to the doctor just for him to tell me that it's nothing. But it hurts! I've decided to give it a few more days to see if it gets any better before I break down and ask for an appointment.

Piriformis syndrome is something that could cause the symptoms you are describing. Also, it is more likely since a true coccyx injury would result from a known trauma (i.e. fall or birthing a really big baby) Good luck!

I cracked my tail bone after a fall. I was ice skating. It's crooked to this day. It hurt for a long time, but I was still able to do stuff.

If you haven't had a traumatic incident that could cause this type of injury, I'd go see a doctor.

Could it be a nerve issue caused by alignment problems? I had a similar problem with my hip and lower back...just horrible pain out of no where and caused by nothing in particular. I started seeing a chiropractor who said that these kinds of things often happen over time without you noticing until you're in a load of pain. I'd suggest seeing a doctor ASAP--living in pain is no fun.

I hate to say, I had a "mystery" tailbone/coccyx problem, and it lasted over a year. Everything was very difficult, including dancing and I suffered for it (not to mention how exhausting it is to be in constant pain). It seemed to miraculously just go away by itself after some time. I did happen to find a sports injury doctor in the area who had a specialty in that area, and he did a manual re-alignment attempt, which did seem to help but not cure the problem. He also prescribed an anti-inflammatory which gave me some slight relief. I had a special tailbone cushion that I purchased and carried everywhere. I even had to use it in my car when driving. You can find these online, and find a lot of additional information at coccydynia: coccyx (tailbone) pain: causes, coping and cures. Best of luck to you - I hope it goes away quickly!

I have had a similar experience as ErikaOH from a fall/slip on a deck and landed on my tailbone. I thought it would get better in time but I couldn't sit without pain and after 9 months I ended up with "piriformis syndrome" where the muscle learns to tighten up and it causes "sciatic Nerve" down the leg. I can't believe the pain it's like having a knife in your upper buttocks. Sleeping only made it worse as lying down was too much pressure. I found "icing" to be the most therapeutic and I believe I'm on a healing road now. I'm icing every 1-2 hours for 20 min at a time..I even take the ice pack to bed or on the go like Dr. appointments, driving, movies anytime I think I have to sit for some time I put the "TherapyGel" pack 6" x 10" in a gallon zip lock baggy and off I go. It also helps to massage the Coccyx or injured area helping to relax the area so the piriformis doesn't tighten. If it's a new injury wait for swelling to go down before massaging. My pain is dissipating a little at a time. I'm also taking Ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours with food and 1/2 tablet=5 MG of Flexeril (muscle relaxer) every 5-6 hours as needed keeping the "Piriformis" relaxed so the sciatic nerve doesn't get flamed up. Be your own advocate and pay attention to all your symptoms, use Google key words to find answers and don't count on your Dr. to find the problem....I had to figure out what was going on and to learn from others how to treat/heal myself with some help from the Dr. : )

Links that helped me:

coccydynia: coccyx (tailbone) pain: causes, coping and cures


[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome]Piriformis syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Life is a dance...let's dance together!

scubablue

I twisted my tailbone about a month ago. I had been seeing a physical therapist for something else at the time- and have just kept going, but now for the tailbone. She specializes in sports and does a lot of alignment and movement screens and assessments- then recommends exercises based on what I need. She did some manual straightening of the tailbone along with the weekly muscle relaxation/ electrode "stim"? / moist heat/ massage etc. PT is helping me immensely!
Have you gone to the doctor? Are you better?

The first week was incredibly painful and I've had to take it easy and rest since it started - feels like forever now. Pain killers and muscle relaxers helped, too. Talk about feeling depressed, impotent.

It's still tender but I can walk and move. I actually got some dancing in today for the first time. It's not feeling terrible right now, thank goodness. We shall see.

A family member told me that she has had a similar problem for years, it just comes and goes without rhyme or reason. And a friend of mine told me of a mystery tailbone injury where she was in pain for months and couldn't figure out how she got hurt. It's just a lousy spot to hurt. I hope it doesn't get worse and that it's gone for good.

I fell and hurt my tailbone and it took almost 8 months for it to heal last year.
Couldn´t find any replacement teacher so I still taught 6-7 classes a week.

In retrospect I can see that dancing was making it worse;
especially sitting on shaky trains with hard seats many hours a week on the way to studios.

Take it easy and don´t rush it,
here´s to you getting better Mayliz!
*raises glass*

Thanks for all of the well wishes everyone. I'm still in pain. It seems to get worse with certain movements and exercise; dance definitely makes things worse, as does my lack of patience. I am starting to wonder if I should just bite the bullet and go to the doctor. I'm actually kind of dreading of going in because I usually get the run-around before any real results come in and by then the problem has usually resolved itself.

In the meantime, I've gained three solid pounds that no diet seems to get rid of. Sheez.

I'm hoping by the beginning of 2010, I'll be able to jump into a new training session along with new dance classes. I won't hold my breath.

I injured mine about a year and a half ago (I learned mechanical bulls are not for 30 year olds ha ha). It hurt bad and for a long time. Being one that doesn't like to sit still it was really hard to allow myself to rest. Muscles and bones need a while to heal so rest is key. If your pain is still as severe as it initially was or you have seen a worsening of it you may want to strongly consider f/up with a MD, it may give you peace of mind. I hope that you get better soon, I remember the pain!!!

Have you at least purchased one of those pillows with the hole cut out in the back to make sitting more comfortable? My hubby fell down the stairs a couple months ago, landing on his tailbone, and the pillow has helped a LOT.

3 or 4 years ago i fell butt first on the ground off my galloping steed. it hurt like crazy for two weeks then the pain went away. just last summer when i went in to be examined by my neurologist (for a diff back thing, won't go into detail), i had apparently broken my tailbone. i've NEVER had any problems with it after that two weeks. however, i had a known reason for it to hurt like so. i suggest you go see your doctor and have it examined. it's always best to know. even if it's nothing, at least you won't have to worry!