Injuring the coccyx can become very exasperating depending on the case.
Coccyx pain is one of the pains that generates the most impotence . Beyond the area of the body in which it is located, when a person suffers from this condition, there is not much that can be done in the first instance. You can’t put on a cast and it’s hard to avoid sitting on many occasions, so you suffer in silence.
However, there are ways to intervene when suffering from coccyx pain. Below is everything related to this problem, giving special importance to its causes, symptoms and treatment.
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What is coccyx pain?
Coccyx pain is known medically as coccydynia . It is a perception of pain by the nerve endings located in the end of the spine, which is called the coccyx.
The coccyx comprises the small bones that sit below the sacrum. These are three or four bones, which make up a vestigial structure that is related to the phylogenetic past of the human species. They correspond to what were once larger bones, that is, the tail of the primates that were our ancestors.
Coccyx pain is very confusing to those who suffer from it because of the difficulty of treating the problem. The pain does not always subside easily, and sometimes it becomes chronic.
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Causes
The causes of coccydynia can be varied, and sometimes even unknown . One of the main reasons why pain appears in this area is due to trauma.
Whether it’s from slipping, falling from a height, or a bad landing while playing sports, hitting the ground with your full body weight can lead to a coccyx injury. This is how most injuries occur in the area, although the possibilities are multiple.
This can lead to the breakage of these small bones or the dislocation of one of their joints, which can lead to a lot of pain. But not all causes are so obvious.
Sometimes coccyx pain develops idiopathically. This means that the exact cause for which it occurs is unknown. It is believed that it often has a lot to do with the mental state of a person, and that states of anguish and anxiety can somatize this pain in the coccyx and many others.
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Symptoms
Coccyx pain can be expressed in different situations . First of all, sitting down is always problematic, because while sitting the coccyx receives a lot of pressure from the weight of the body itself. Thus, the hard surfaces are those that cause more pressure, and therefore, more pain. Similarly, when the coccyx is palpated, there can be a lot of tenderness.
In any case, usually the person suffering from coccydynia suffers from pain even when standing. The moment of sitting down or standing up again is usually one of the most delicate.
However, other more unexpected situations can also cause pain to surface. When making some efforts, such as sneezing or coughing, the perception of pain can be very intense, as well as when going to the bathroom or when having intimate relations with another person.
Treatment
When coccyx pain appears, you have to act before the pain becomes chronic . Acute pain is a serious issue, and if it is endured for a long time without treating the cause, it can be difficult to remit in the future.
Below are the different treatments that must be taken into account in order to cure coccydynia. For this, it is very important to take into account all the information you have about the causes and symptoms, as well as the evolution of coccyx pain.
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Traumatology
In traumatology there are three basic treatments to combat coccyx pain , the first being very conservative and the third being extremely aggressive. This medical discipline does not respond to this problem in another way.
1. Conservative treatment
The most conservative treatment is to use a special cushion or float . In both cases, they must have a hole in the middle, so that when the person sits down, they do not suffer pressure in the affected area. This is intended to give the coccyx a rest so that it can heal naturally, although recovery may take weeks or months.
2. Infiltrations
When conservative treatment does not work, traumatologists tend to think of injections . They consist of injecting a steroidal anti-inflammatory liquid into the joint capsules that make up the coccyx. In this way, a substance normally derived from cortisone is placed between the different bones of the coccyx. In some cases it serves as a measure to relieve pain, but it is always effective.
3. Coccygectomy
Coccygectomy is a very extreme treatment . It consists of the removal of the cois by surgery as a way to combat coccydynia, in addition to burning some surrounding nerves. Undoubtedly a very aggressive solution, and that also does not have an excessively high rate of effectiveness, so it is worth thinking twice.
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Other treatments
In addition to trauma treatments, the truth is that there are more alternatives . Without abandoning medical treatment, there are pain clinics specialized in combating different types of pain (acute, chronic, etc.). This medical discipline proposes different measures to solve this problem, such as local anesthetic patches.
On the other hand, acupuncture, physiotherapy and psychotherapy can be very helpful. In addition, osteopathy responds by unblocking the sacrum and other bony structures such as the coccyx itself. One of the most surprising interventions requires the therapist to manipulate this bone by inserting a finger into the patient’s rectum.
Finally, comment that when coccyx pain has not been resolved and is persistent throughout the day, it is very necessary to take anti-inflammatory medications. In some cases, the person can feel a lot of pain and these represent a great relief.
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Bibliographic references
- Drake, R.L. (2006). Gray’s Anatomy for Students. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
- Foye, P., Buttaci, C., Stitik, T., & Yonclas, P. (2006). Successful injection for coccyx pain. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 85(9):783-784 .
- Maigne, JY and Doursounian, L. and Chatellier, G. (2000). Causes and Mechanisms of Common Coccydynia. spine. 25(23), 3072-3079
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.