What Is the Tailbone, and Why Does It Hurt So Much After an Injury?

Question

A few weeks ago, I fell while sitting down, and since then, I’ve been experiencing persistent pain in my lower back and tailbone. I didn’t realize how important the tailbone is until I started having trouble sitting, standing, or even sleeping. But what exactly is the tailbone, and why does an injury to it take so long to heal?

From what I understand, the tailbone (coccyx) is a small, triangular bone at the bottom of the spine that provides support when we sit and serves as an attachment point for various muscles. But why is it so prone to injury, and why does a tailbone bruise or fracture take longer to heal than other bones?

What are the common causes of tailbone pain besides falls? Can poor posture, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions like coccydynia also lead to tailbone discomfort?

Are there any natural treatments or Ayurvedic remedies that can help relieve tailbone pain and speed up healing? I’ve heard that castor oil packs, turmeric, hot compresses, and yoga stretches might help—do these actually work?

If anyone has suffered from tailbone pain, what treatments or adjustments helped you recover the fastest? Did you use cushions, exercises, or physical therapy to reduce discomfort?

Dr. Harsha Joy · Accepted Answer

The tailbone, or coccyx, is a small triangular bone at the end of the spine that provides support when sitting and serves as an attachment point for muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s particularly prone to injury because it's exposed to pressure when sitting, and any direct impact, such as falling, can cause bruising or fractures. Tailbone injuries can take longer to heal compared to other bones due to its limited blood supply and the constant pressure it endures when sitting or moving. Common causes of tailbone pain, besides falls, include poor posture, prolonged sitting, pregnancy (due to pressure on the coccyx), and conditions like coccydynia (chronic tailbone pain). To relieve pain and speed up healing, Ayurvedic remedies like castor oil packs (anti-inflammatory), turmeric (which has healing properties), hot compresses (to reduce muscle tension), and gentle yoga stretches (to improve flexibility and relieve pressure) can be beneficial. Using cushions designed for tailbone relief, adjusting posture, and performing exercises that strengthen the muscles around the coccyx can also aid in recovery. Many find that a combination of these treatments, along with taking care not to aggravate the injury, provides the most effective relief.

Dr Sujal Patil · Answer

Hello!

The tailbone, or coccyx, is a small triangular bone at the end of the spine that provides support when sitting and serves as an attachment point for muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s particularly prone to injury because it's exposed to pressure when sitting, and any direct impact, such as falling, can cause bruising or fractures.

Tailbone injuries can take longer to heal compared to other bones due to its limited blood supply and the constant pressure it endures when sitting or moving. Common causes of tailbone pain, besides falls, include poor posture, prolonged sitting, pregnancy (due to pressure on the coccyx), and conditions like coccydynia (chronic tailbone pain).

To relieve pain and speed up healing, Ayurvedic remedies like castor oil packs (anti-inflammatory), turmeric (which has healing properties), hot compresses (to reduce muscle tension), and gentle yoga stretches (to improve flexibility and relieve pressure) can be beneficial.

Using cushions designed for tailbone relief, adjusting posture, and performing exercises that strengthen the muscles around the coccyx can also aid in recovery. Many find that a combination of these treatments, along with taking care not to aggravate the injury, provides the most effective relief.

What Is the Tailbone, and Why Does It Hurt So Much After an Injury? - #15291

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