Tailbone pain is one of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis. The pain can occur anywhere along the back, including between the ribs and through the hip joint. There are many contributing factors that can contribute to this painful condition.
What Causes Tailbone Pain?
Tailbone pain can be caused by a direct injury to the tailbone (fractured bone), prolonged sitting or standing on a narrow or hard surface, degenerating joints, pelvic floor contractures, or trauma to the tailbone during a fall. These causes can affect all areas of the body, but the back is unique in that it can have several different joints affected at once. This combination of joints that may be affected may result in pain, instability, or stiffness. Other times, the pain may occur in only one area of the back. For example, there may be pain in the lower abdomen or groin areas.
Most causes of tailbone pain are temporary and will disappear after the cause of the pain goes away. It is important to pay attention to your body when you are experiencing pain. If tailbone pain is present, there are many options available for treatment. Although some are more effective than others, it is important to know your options. In order to make an informed decision on tailbone pain treatment, you will need to take some time to review the possible options and decide which one is right for you.
Tailbone Pain Treatment
One option that doctors often recommend is exercise therapy. Your doctor may prescribe exercise equipment for you to use or recommend an exercise program that you can follow at home. Although exercise does not cure your problem overnight, if done regularly, it can help strengthen and protect your back, improve flexibility and strength, and reduce pain.
As previously mentioned, the tailbone pain causes can include falls, injury, aging, arthritis, pregnancy, and pelvic floor contraction. Exercise therapy can also help to treat the pain caused by these problems. To avoid future injuries to your spine, it is important to always be careful while you are walking, and use safety equipment like slip-resistant shoes when you are walking and doing any other activities. Your hips should remain properly aligned while you are walking because the tendency for the upper part of your body to sink in the steps can cause your lower back to shift forward or curve downward.
Some people seek out pain relief from pain medications to relieve their tailbone pain. Many of these pain relievers work by reducing inflammation and swelling and decreasing muscle spasms. They can also be used as a preventative measure. A number of herbal remedies are available that can provide pain relief. However, it is important to check with your physician before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever.
Other Effective Options
There are several options that are effective, and in many cases, have helped people to avoid a more serious condition, such as osteoarthritis, by treating the pain from their tailbone. These treatments include hot and cold therapies. The heat from a steaming bath can relax the muscles in your back, increase blood flow, and increase circulation to your muscles and connective tissue.
Cold compresses can also help to reduce the pain in the area. Hot water baths are also very effective. Ice packs can help to reduce pain and inflammation and reduce inflammation of swollen muscles. Other treatments include the use of a heat pump to apply ice directly to the tailbone or spinal column or applying a lubricant cream.
Chiropractic care can be effective for the treatment of spinal conditions like pain in the back and tailbones. This type of treatment is often referred to as therapeutic care. A chiropractor will manipulate your spine in order to release muscle tension and corrects vertebral subluxations, which are not only painful but can be a cause of back pain.
Chiropractors can also treat other conditions that can be associated with pain in the back and tailbone. Joint pain is a common problem that results in stiffness, inflammation, and even arthritis. In some cases, chiropractic adjustments can help to relieve pain and stiffness, and improve range of motion, improve joint mobility and improve blood circulation.
Physical therapy can also be beneficial for relieving tailbone pain. This form of treatment is most effective for people who have suffered from an accident, have undergone spinal surgery, or have had a herniated disc.
For more information about tailbone pain, you should contact a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. To learn more about tailbone pain treatments, call Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery of Texas today!
