tailbone pain

Hi there,

I am 27 with what seems to be a chronic problem with hypermobility (I've posted here a few years about about hypermobility).

It hurts a lot to sit. It also hurts to lie on my back. My doctor thought it might have been a cyst, but that was ruled out and now I'm left with a really painful backside. I've had no trauma to my tailbone. I feel like it's probably my huge issue with hypermobility at work again. I've had some issues with my SI joints subluxing a bit (nothing major, my massage therapist said that was likely the cause). For sitting I use a gel cushion (meant for cars) at work and it seems to help a bit. Hard surfaces hurt the most, but sometimes even soft surfaces can really hurt. I dont know what to do because it's affecting me really badly. I can't go on long car rides, sit long enough to use the recumbant bike, sit in class or a work. Sleeping is also difficult because it hurts to sleep on my back because of my tailbone (I have a tempur foam mattress, and that's not even helping) and I can't side sleep because of instable subluxing shoulders. Also, sometimes when I'm sitting the pain is manageable and without realising, I'll stand up and the pain is much worse. I don't know why I don't notice and stand up earlier!

I've been managing with hypermobility syndrome or something like that for a few years now. I have been very compliant with my treatment plan. I exercise everyday. I don't do crazy workouts. My whole routine was divised with a physiotherapist. I go to the gym and use the elliptical mostly, only for half an hour. Every other day I do a weight training program. I haven't been able to increase the weight for anything, but I'm happy with maintenance. I stretch for 15 minutes (I have ridiculously high muscle tone). Usually at this time I will do a very quick (five minutes) of core exercises. I also do a pilates class once a week, and I Highland dance once a week (though that is looking really pathetic and I know I need to quit it soon). I tape my calves and arches for dance. I also do a fair bit of walking, as I live in a city and don't have a car.

I'm not sure what I can do to help with poor tailbone of mine. I wanted to see if I can do anything for myself before trudging off to the physiotherapist. Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Coley :)

Hm,

Tailbone pain is always really tricky and in my experience poorly treated by physiotherapists. You certainly sound really complex and worthy of assessment.
We cannot be sure your pain is from hypermobility or not... but there appears to be no injury so it seems fair.

I suggest you do see a physio but you phone ahead and ask if they have had experience working with tailbones because it's a bit of a niche subject and you'd do well to find someone with experience in the matter.

Four your referance the muscles that attach to the coccyx are the gluteus maximus and the pelvic floor muscles. so if you wish to attempt to try to strengthen around the area you should be doing pelvic floor and glut exercises... However given your long history with hypermobility and your structured gym program you may do well to get some guidance on prescription. if the coccyx is hypermobile you don't want to tug on it with vigorous exercise and risk hurting yourself further.

cheers,
pudding

---------- Post added at 12:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------

OH and also as a bit of pain management... I find coccydinia cusions to not be very helpful. While working around obstetrics (which was uncomfortable for a 22 year old male at the time) I saw alot of coccyx pain and best thing i did was just talk to my boss who had experienced the same in her pregnancys. She basically said to sit on 2 pillows one under each thigh so the coccyx has no pressure on it at all. this may be helpful to allow you to sit for a length of time.

good luck

Thank you pudding. I have an assessment on Tuesday with a physiotherapist who specializes in pelvic floor rehab.

Hello,
Lately I have encountered tailbone pain so much and my tailbone was really hurt me because lifting weight that is too heavy and sitting too long in front of the computer daily and now I am on the recovery stage.