Tailbone Injuries

As part of our practice of providing natural solutions to pain and health problems at the Carolina Chiropractic Center, we’re prepared to help our patients with injured tailbones. Scientifically known as coccydynia, pain in the tailbone is rare but can be severe. In the worst cases, it interferes with patients’ bowel and sexual functions, which makes it all the more important to treat.

The tailbone is actually made up of five different bones. Their position prevents them from getting injured often, but they can suffer blunt force trauma from activities such as bike and horseback riding and childbirth. Of course, it is possible for the tailbone to be the location of spinal stenosis, meaning that the pain is the result of a pinched nerve. This is why our clinic will have to do a thorough diagnostic, possibly including x-rays, before developing a treatment plan.

Fortunately, there are therapeutic exercises for treating tailbone pain. These can involve relaxing the pelvic floor and strengthening the surrounding ligaments. If the tailbone is dislocated, an adjustment may be necessary. Ice is also commonly applied, and the patient may benefit from a specially-shaped cushion to sit on. It may take eight to twelve weeks for a broken tailbone to heal, but it’s more common for the tailbone to merely be bruised.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.