What is Tailbone Pain?
Tailbone (or coccygeal) pain can be caused by trauma like a fall or childbirth.
It can also be caused by an imbalance in the pelvic bowl muscles.
Tailbone pain is also called coccydynia.
The tailbone is a series of 4-5 bones at the very bottom of the spine and sacrum.
What is the Treatment for Tailbone Pain?
Dr. Caroline Peterson uses craniosacral therapy and intra-pelvic work to balance the muscles in the pelvic bowl that connect to the tailbone.
The dura is the layer of the meninges we treat in craniosacral therapy.
It hooks on in the head, upper neck, and sacrum in the pelvis.
The tailbone has little joints in it that can be treated with craniosacral therapy to gently allow it to unwind.
If there is not complete resolution of tailbone pain with craniosacral therapy, the next step is to add intra-pelvic work.
Dr. Caroline Peterson begins by relaxing the pelvic muscles that connect to the coccyx. These are best addressed through the vagina.
If pain persists after addressing those muscles, Dr. Caroline Peterson will encourage treating the coccyx through the anus to complete resolution of the pain.
Back and Hip Pain
Back and hip pain that have not responded to chiropractic, massage, PT, and acupuncture are probably not musculoskeletal in origin.
Typically I see patients who experience temporary relief with an adjustment or massage, but the pain comes back in days.
Pain that returns after great musculoskeletal care is not of musculoskeletal origin.
Degeneration, Disc Herniation, or Neoplasm Are the Exceptions
Degenerative hips that probably need replacing occasionally presents as hip or upper buttock pain.
However, degenerative hips commonly present as groin pain or knee pain.
You will need imaging if your hips do not respond to therapy and you are over 50 years old.
If your history and exam suggest the possibility of disc herniation or neoplasm, further imaging will be necessary.
How do Viscera, Vasculature, and Lymph Cause Back and Hip Pain?
Poorly moving viscera, vasculature, and lymph can cause back and hip pain.
Fluid congestion creates pain.
To resolve this etiology of pain, the viscera, vasculature, and lymph must be assessed and addressed.
I use the adjustment to help mobilize the fluid body, and help stabilize the viscera body.
The adjustment should be easy if the problem is truly of musculoskeletal origin.
The musculoskeletal system is the voice of the body telling us there is a problem that needs resolution.
A uterus that is out of position can cause persistent pelvic pain or SI pain.
Lumbar veins and pelvic veins that are congested can cause low back pain.
Lymphatic congestion can cause hip pain.
There are many, many potential causes of pain.
Don’t give up!
Keep searching for your solution.