The tailbone or Coccyx, is located at the bottom of the vertebral column. It is bony, triangular structure and is composed of 3-5 segments and held together and in place by ligaments and joints. The tailbone is a sensitive area of the body and injuries and fractures can be extremely painful so further irritation should be avoided. A Tailbone fracture is simply a break in the cartilage or bone. It is typically the result of a trauma suffered to the tailbone, however it can also happen due to a bone disease such as Osteoporosis. There are a few types of fractures: compound, transverse, spiral, greenstick, and comminuted. They are classified according to their location and the character of the fracture.
Causes of a Fractured Tailbone
The most common cause of a fractured tailbone is trauma. And, this type of injury is most common in women, due to the fact that the female pelvis is broader, which in turn exposes the tailbone. The most common trauma that causes a fractured tailbone is a fall directly on the tailbone and onto a hard surface. A direct blow to the tailbone can also cause the coccyx to fracture. The Coccyx can even be fractured during childbirth. Some less know causes of a fractured tailbone are: nerve compression, tumors and infections.
Treatments for Fractured Tailbone
The good news is that with time, a fractured tailbone will heal on its own. However it is imperative that further irritation is avoided. One of the simplest ways that you can care for a fractured tailbone is to use a back pain seat cushion. This type of seat cushion has a cutout where the coccyx would rest. This allows the coccyx to not touch the hard surface of a chair, sofa , etc so it can heal properly.
Try to avoid sitting for an extended period of time as this can further irritate the tailbone. When sitting try using a back pain seat cushion, and try leaning forward to direct weight away from the coccyx.
Using ice for the first few days after suffering trauma, will help control the pain and inflammation. Although OTC pain medications and prescription pain medications help relieve the pain, we recommend trying an all natural pain relieving supplement such as Heal-n-Soothe to control the pain and fight off inflammation.
And lastly, try to eat foods high in fiber which will help loosen stools and avoid constipation. The less stress and strain put on the tailbone, the better it has a chance to heal more quickly.
For more information on Spondylolisthesis, please visit: https://losethebackpain.com/conditions/spondylolisthesis.html
