The coccyx is the lower part of the spine, consisting of fused vertebrae. This process is considered an altered tail, which we inherited from our distant ancestors - primates. Despite this, the coccyx has a rather complex functional value.
The main functions of the tailbone
- The front sections of the tailbone are designed to attach the muscles and tendons that are involved in the genitourinary system and the distal colon.
- Part of the muscle fibers related to the gluteus muscle, which allows to extend the hips, are attached to the tailbone.
- During sitting, when tilting back, part of the body load is transferred to the coccyx.
Sometimes people, especially during ice, fall to the “fifth point” and hit hard with the tailbone. Such a bruise can not be ignored. If your tailbone hurts after falling, it is best to consult a doctor. After all, this part of the skeleton, as you already noticed, performs functions important enough for good health. Even a slight bruise that has not been cured can cause money-dystrophic changes in the tailbone. What are the symptoms of bruising?
Signs of tailbone injury
The complexity of the diagnosis lies in the fact that patients complain of pain of a different nature. Therefore, self-medication is not worth doing in any case.
If the tailbone is sore (after a fall, cycling along rough roads can become a cause), this condition in medicine is called anokopchikovy pain syndrome. This syndrome is common, but it manifests itself in different ways - it can be aching, sharp, tingling, or paroxysmal pain, giving to the perineum or buttock. At the same time, sometimes the trauma that took place in the distant past makes itself felt after many years.
However, most often the pain syndrome manifests itself immediately after the injury - the injury is so worrying that the person does not find a place for pain. A few hours after the injury, the pain subsides a little, but trying to sit down or walk is painful enough. However, a decrease in pain intensity makes it possible to neglect a visit to a specialist. But the absence of symptoms does not guarantee that the injury is not dangerous - in the end, the patient develops a chronic bruise, which is fraught with the appearance of complications, up to damage to the spinal cord. In addition, as a result, pain will occur with each squat or just an active walk.
One of the main symptoms of a tailbone injury (in addition to being a tailbone sore after a fall) is a bruising. At the site of the injury, small vessels rupture, causing hemorrhage in the soft tissues. Also, bruising can indicate a fracture of bone tissue.
Symptoms of a tailbone injury include:
- Pain during bowel movements.
- Pain during intercourse.
- Pain while standing and walking.
- Soreness in the lower extremities (pain gives back).
- Edema. In this case, there is a risk of more serious injury.
- The formation of a painful lump on the tailbone.
If your tailbone is sore, what should I do? To begin with, exclude the likelihood that pain in the tailbone indicates a disease - osteochondrosis, hemorrhoids, etc. If there was an injury, it is recommended to consult a doctor - he will refer you to an X-ray, because, in addition to a bruise, there is always a risk of dislocation or fracture.
If the tailbone hurts, which doctor diagnoses the problem and prescribes treatment? An experienced osteopath can eliminate the pain in the tailbone and its consequences - it is he who specializes in diseases of the spine and joints.
Many women on forums are interested in: "Fell, a tailbone hurts, what to do?" First aid in this case:
- Apply a cold compress to the bruised area. It can be an ice cube if damage has occurred in the house, or even snow. You need to apply cold in the first few hours after the injury, but no more special actions aimed at improving well-being should be done to avoid complications.
- Take an analgesic if necessary. It will help reduce the intensity of pain for a while. Of course, constantly, if the tailbone is very sore after a fall, you can’t use pain medication, but at first it is necessary.
- Do not press on the damaged area (the patient is transported on his side so as not to load the tailbone).
- Get medical advice immediately.
Coccyx injury
So, if a woman hit her tailbone, it hurts, what should I do in this case?
First of all, you should limit physical activity - do not walk, lie more, preferably on your stomach. Sitting is not recommended, as this can lead to complications. If you have to sit down, then use a special orthopedic pillow or rubber circle - it is important that there are no loads on the coccyx.
Cold compresses are allowed, but hot compresses or baths are strongly discouraged. In a sitting position, relaxing baths and special gymnastic exercises are done. It is important to refuse to massage the damaged area.
Exercises for damage to the tailbone:
- Lie on your back. Stretch your legs and squeeze and unclench a ball sandwiched between your feet for about 5 seconds. No more than 10 repetitions, taking a break of 10-15 seconds between them.
- Lie on your back. Having bent your knees, raise your pelvis and squeeze your buttocks, keeping them in tension for 5 seconds. Do the exercise as much as you can.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees. Squeeze and unclench the ball used in the first exercise with your knees, straining the press, but not protruding the stomach. Take breaks between repetitions.
Doing exercises is by no means recommended immediately after the injury, after a bruise a certain amount of time should pass. It is important to consult a doctor before starting exercise.
Medication for tailbone injury
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended for inflammatory diseases of the joints, fever and pain in various etiologies. These include drugs such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Piroxicam.
Muscle relaxants are drugs aimed at relaxing smooth muscles, which reduces pain in the area of damage and accelerates recovery. These drugs include "Tizanidine", "Midokalm", "Baclofen."
Physiotherapeutic procedures are also applied with exposure to cold, high-frequency current, ultrasonic vibrations, magnetic fields, etc.
Ointments in the treatment of tailbone injury
When the tailbone hurts after a fall, ointments are prescribed that have an analgesic effect. They also remove bruises. Often, such ointments include plant components - chamomile, arnica, calendula. Another series of ointments are gels that help improve blood circulation, which helps to avoid the formation of bruises and seals. Such ointments include Traumeel, Dolobene gel, Arnica, and calendula and chamomile ointments.
Folk remedies in the treatment of tailbone
If hit by a coccyx, it hurts, what should I do? How to treat at home? It is possible to treat pain in the tailbone using folk remedies. One of these is an onion compress or crushed wormwood, which must be applied to the damaged coccyx. But tincture of arnica, in turn, reduces the intensity of pain.
Also crushed leaves of plantain or its juice are applied in the form of compresses. It promotes the healing of soft tissues and the coccyx itself. But remember: treatment at home is permissible only when the diagnosis is established in a medical institution.
Suppositories for the treatment of tailbone injury
Suppositories are also prescribed for coccyx injuries. Most popular:
- Suppositories with ichthyol are an antiseptic and wound healing agent. They are administered after a cleansing enema or spontaneous bowel movements. They put candles 1-2 times a day.
- Candles with novocaine. They are anesthetic, applied 1-2 times a day.
- Candles with belladonna. Used for hemorrhoids, increase sphincter tone. About three candles are used per day.
Prevention of tailbone injuries
If the tailbone hurts after a fall that has happened a long time ago, then re-contact a specialist. Any new injury can be very serious. Refuse sitting on hard surfaces until completely cured.
It is also recommended to visit an osteopath every six months, which helps to establish the functioning of the pelvic organs, blood circulation and metabolism. An osteopath will refer you to the right specialist if necessary. Be healthy!