OT - Tailbone Pain- I need help

[dieselgal]

Here's the way it started. Probably 40 years ago I fell flat on my tailbone and it hurt for almost a year. Over time and no treatment it eventually felt better but now 40 years later I have had a flare up of that horrible tailbone pain that is really beginning to cause me problems. I have to sit at work and of course at night watching TV and it takes my breath when I have to move or get out of the chair. I have tried the chair cushion with the cutout at the tailbone but that doesn't appear to help me.
I told a Dr. about this at my last checkup a few months back and he ordered an xray which does show an old fracture at the 5th sacrum but he didn't offer any help or suggestion.
Any suggestions that might help me and would it even help to go to the Dr.?

[HeirloomGardener]

You may want to try a chiropractor. He may be able to determine the source of the pain and get the vertebrae adjusted to relieve at least some pain.

Also, you may have other problems along your spine due to that injury. The impact goes all the way up to your head.

[momomni]

You might also have your primary care doctor check for a pilonidal cyst. That is the location and they hurt like a toothache. I had one after a fall on a pool deck and finally had surgery to close the sinus. At that time- 1960- it was 16 days in the hospital flat on my belly to heal from the inside out as it was infected. Today it is outpatient surgery. How times have changed.

[dieselgal]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do have a chiropractor that I can go see so I may try that. Keep the ideas coming please!

[greenvelvetdragon]

ouch! all excellant suggestions, I think looking into a possible cyst is an excellant idea, I have had a few patients over the years with this same problem and several turned out to be cyst related and/or subcutaneous infection. You may also want to contact an osteopath, some do some dont assist with this type of problem.

all the best

GVD

[DreamStalker]

It is caused by poor posture. Find a good Yoga instructor and learn techniques for good posture and the pain will go away.

A few years ago I began having painful tail bone and doc Rx me one of those donut pillows ... only made DME $30 richer. So sit your butt way back in your chair while at work and keep your back straight and the lumbar region arched toward your belly button.

[dieselgal]

DreamStalker I will try that too and I have to admit that I do not have the best posture for sure. I also tend to sit on the front of my chair at work, I perch on the edge of it because I have to get up and down so often. ( I just almost broke into hysterical laughter when I thought about my big butt being PERCHED on the edge of a chair! LOL )
Thanks for the tip, I will be trying it for the rest of the day.

[Babette]

I have the same problem. Slid down a flight of stairs on my butt (damned carpet...) and cracked my tailbone good. No insurance, didn't hurt bad enough to beg my Mom to pay for medical care, so I just ignored it.

Over the years, a low grade nagging pain set in, and slowly, my coworkers convinced me that my INCREDIBLE BITCHINESS NEEDED TO BE ATTENDED TO. Finally had medical insurance, saw a chiropractor, and she diagnosed me with Spondola Lesthesis (sp?). She treated me, and it helped for the first few years.

Now I've found that yoga, stretching, and massage help way more. I've been to a personal trainer recommended by a different chiro, and the two of them both agree that my sit-down job is aggravating the issue, and I need to really focus on stretching my hamstrings. They gave me some specific exercises to do, which, when done regularly, help immensely. When I don't, I hurt. You're call which I do....

Do what I say, not what I do.

Talk to your Chiropractor about finding a personal trainer who can teach you some specific stretching exercises for you to alleviate and prevent pain. If they can't help you find one, try surfing the web, and just ask everyone you know. Someone's bound to have a suggestion for you.

THEN, when you hire the personal trainer, be really clear that you're there to learn techniques for self-care, not sign up for weekly sessions for the rest of your life.

Good luck!
Barbara

[OldLincoln]

Just an opinion, but from experience that pain is normally (non-cyst) difficult to treat. Your chiropractor might give you a shot of Lidocaine to ease the pain. It may last long enough for the other things to work.

[JoyD.]

Diesalgal,

I bought two of these covered molded ring cushions about a year ago - one for my car and one for my computer chair (even though it's a padded chair). The fact that it has a hole in the middle takes the pressure off when you are sitting. My tail bone was painful when I was housebound and sitting a lot . . . and this did the trick. I liked it so much that I continue using it for computer use and driving and it's so comfortable. The cover is washable.

I bought mine at a local DME, but it is from Duro-Med Industries (Briggs) and looks like you can buy it online. Mine is oval and measures 15 deep and 19 1/2 wide. The one on the Briggs site says it is 18 inches (round??) Hope this helps! ~Joy

Website: https://shop.briggscorp.com/e2wItemQuic ... %20Cushion

DMI® Contoured Foam Ring Cushion, 18", Navy
Item SKU # - 513-8018-2400
List Price: $8.60
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Details:
• Conforms to body contours, reducing pressure point discomfort

• High-density, puncture-resistant foam retains shape through repeated use

• Provides support when sitting for an extended period of time

• Removable, machine washable polyester/cotton cover

• Foam meets California #117 requirements

• Sizes available: 14", 16" and 18"

• Weight capacity: 250 lbs.