Any kind of pain can be managed when you are armed with the right information. It is important to read about the facts surrounding a coccyx problem, for remedies, treatment, and understanding of causes and symptoms.

Coccyx pain, more commonly known as tailbone pain, can indeed pose a big problem for many people. The coccyx is said to be the remnant of our ancestral tail, which is believed to have existed long before the homo sapiens came to exist. It does not serve any identifiable purpose in our body, but can be a major source of debilitating and chronic pain. Coccyx pain is medically called coccydynia.

Coccydynia often has symptoms that are similar to sciatica. A sufferer often experiences pain when sitting or lying down and the kind of pain associated with the condition is one that radiates, tingles, or creates numbness in the legs. It is also common for sufferers to experience pain during bowel movement as well as sexual intercourse.

Some people – women in particular – have a more prominent coccyx, which makes them more prone to coccyx pain. In the case of women, a prominent coccyx is actually designed to allow easy passage during childbirth. Coccyx pain is often caused by falling on your lower back. Naturally, a prominent coccyx will be more likely to get injured in case of such a fall. If your coccyx gets fractured during the fall, the pain you feel can be excruciating and may last for more than a year!

Even childbirth, which is the reason why a woman’s coccyx is designed to be prominent in the first place, can cause coccyx pain. As the child passes through, the coccyx can get in the way and get bruised or fractured in the process, thus causing a lot of pain. Sometimes coccyx pain can also be caused by a bone-related tumor or other medical conditions.

Most of the treatment methods used for coccyx pain is similar to those used for treating lower back pain. Pain medication, chiropractic therapy, epidural injections, and physical therapy may be included. Using coccyx support doughnut cushions and other support products may also help in taking pressure off of your coccyx and relieving the pain. At the very least, these products can make the pain more bearable until the condition is completely healed.

If none of these treatment options work, then you can opt for surgery as a last resort. Surgery can involve repair or removal of the coccyx. Although your body’s normal functions shouldn’t be affected by the removal of your coccyx, remember that any type of surgery has its share of risks. You’ll really have to weigh your options carefully before deciding to undergo coccyx repair or removal surgery.

If you have recently injured your coccyx and are suffering from coccyx pain as a result, take hope from the thought that most cases of coccyx injury and pain heals by itself. What’s important is that you avoid putting too much pressure on your coccyx for the time being and get enough rest. Remember that a coccyx injury can take up to a year to heal completely.