Think Your Tailbone Is Broken? Here's What to Do

Breaking the tailbone can be a painful ordeal. You will feel most of the pain when you try to sit down. Also, the tailbone usually curves under. The curvature will vary from one person to another, and it is determined by genetics.

So, what is the tailbone? As mentioned above, it is the remains of a vestigial tail. It is a group of three to five bones at the very end of the spine, depending on the person. So, what do you do if you break your tailbone? How do you know you have broken it? Read on to learn more about the tailbone.

What Can Cause Tailbone Pain?

According to experts, women, compared to men, are more likely to have tailbone pain. They are about five times more likely to have the pain. The likelihood of a woman developing tailbone pain increases during and after pregnancy. Other groups of people most likely to have tailbone pain are patients with osteopenia and car accident survivors.

• Possible Causes Of Pain

• Car accidents or other accidents causing a direct blow to the tailbone

• Falling on the tailbone on a hard surface

• Sitting for prolonged periods

• Standing for prolonged periods

• Urination or bowel movements

• Leaning back while you are sitting

• Getting up after sitting for a long time

• Sexual intercourse

You may experience pain radiating to the legs or lower back pain. You may also feel like defecating more frequently.

What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone?

You may experience the following if you have a broken tailbone.

• Worsening pain when sitting down or getting up after sitting for a while

• Increasing pain during bowel movements

• Experiencing irregular bowel movements

• Continuous dull pain above the buttocks or in the lower back

• Inflammation around the tailbone

• Intensifying pain when you are having sex

• Tingling or numbness in the leg
   

What Do You Do in the Event of a Broken Tailbone?

• Home Remedies

Home remedies are just a way to reduce your pain and avoid straining the body part. 

• Sitting

Avoid sitting for long periods and avoid sitting on hard surfaces that will add pressure to the tailbone. Try alternating the weight you put on the buttocks between the left and the right. Instead of leaning back when you sit, lean forward to ease the pressure on the tailbone. 

• Alleviate Pain From Traumatic Injuries

Use a cold compress on the tailbone four times a day for about 15 or 20 minutes. Do this for the days following the injury. 

• Medication

Take anti-inflammatory and nonsteroidal drugs to manage the pain and help you move around. Avoid these drugs if you have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, or are taking a blood thinner. 

• Cushions

You can get a doughnut cushion to help you sit without letting the tailbone contact the sitting surface. 

• Diet

To soften stool, eat foods with high fiber content.

When to See a Doctor

If the pain becomes unbearable or you do not feel better for some time, ensure you see a doctor. You may also see a doctor as soon as you get the injury to hasten the healing process.

To learn more or book a visit, call Dr. Dan Kirschner Chiropractic at our office in Arcadia (863) 494-7110 or Sarasota (941) 214-6150, Florida.