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Coccyx pain
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Pain in the coccyx area may be pressing, accompanied by tingling, burning, radiating to the perineum, groin, buttocks, rectum or thighs. If trauma is ruled out, the following may be the causes of pain:
- sciatic nerve neuralgia;
- inflammation of the genitals;
- salt deposits or inflammation;
- osteochondrosis;
- diseases of the intestinal tract;
- prolapse of the perineum;
- lack of stool;
- stress.
[ What causes pain in the tailbone area?
Sciatic nerve neuralgia is accompanied by muscle weakness, back pain, which can radiate to the legs and tailbone. The pain is usually shooting, causing a burning sensation and crawling ants, varying from mild to very strong. Such a disorder can be provoked by excessive physical activity, lifting weights, sudden and awkward movements. To diagnose the disease, the method of X-ray examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used. When treating this pathology, physical activity should be limited, it is advisable to use non-steroidal drugs - ketoprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, ibuprofen, indomethacin. Ice and a heating pad can be applied to the affected area, it is recommended to lie on a hard surface, a pillow can be placed under the knees. In the treatment of sciatic nerve neuralgia, physiotherapy methods are also widely used - UHF therapy, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, paraffin applications.
Pain in the coccyx area can be caused by inflammation of the uterine appendages. In this case, the painful sensations are concentrated in the lower abdomen, radiate to the lower back, increase with exertion, stress, hypothermia, sexual intercourse, sometimes vomiting and fever occur. Purulent or serous masses accompanied by itching can be released from the genitals. If the disease has become chronic, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, periods become painful. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat the disease, as well as agents that increase immunity.
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar region also provokes pain in the coccyx area. Associated symptoms include lower back pain, stiffness of movement, difficulty in lifting and straightening the leg. If the cause of pain in the coccyx area is osteochondrosis, a neurologist may prescribe physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory therapy (non-steroidal drugs are used both in the form of intramuscular injections and tablets, and in the form of ointments and gels for local use). In case of osteochondrosis, courses of massage, manual therapy, acupuncture are prescribed, and spinal traction is performed.
Pain in the coccyx area is sometimes associated with intestinal obstruction. Symptoms of the disease: abdominal distension, lack of stool or blood in the stool, vomiting. To diagnose the disease, an X-ray examination is performed, treatment can be both conservative and surgical, depending on the form and nature of the disease.
Pain in the coccyx area often occurs as a result of salt deposits or inflammation in the joint between the coccyx and sacrum. Such a disorder can be provoked by coccyx injuries, pathological processes of the pelvic organs and gastrointestinal tract, long cycling, difficult childbirth. In case of pain, it is advisable to sit on a hard surface, do not move actively, run, walk quickly, lift weights.
Perineal prolapse is characterized by a downward shift of the pelvic floor, which causes prolapse of the vagina, uterus, and rectum. Factors that can provoke such a pathology are surgical interventions, age-related changes (a decrease in collagen and a lack of estrogens cause weakening of the fascia and connective tissue), asthenic physique, heavy physical exertion, constipation, and multiple births. Surgical intervention is performed to eliminate the disease.
Pain in the coccyx area can be caused by the absence or delay of stool. The causes of this disorder can be a lack of fluid in the body, unbalanced nutrition, neuroses and psychoses, inflammatory processes of the intestines and genitals, intoxication of the body. Constipation can be accompanied by loss or deterioration of appetite, belching, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, general weakness, headaches and muscle pain, nervousness, sleep disorders. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to balance the diet, evenly distribute physical activity, try to avoid stress. To eliminate constipation and empty the intestines, laxatives (guttalax, softovac), agents for normalizing intestinal peristalsis (espumisan), drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora (lactovit, linex), and a therapeutic diet are prescribed.
To diagnose and eliminate diseases that cause pain in the coccyx area, consult a therapist, proctologist or gynecologist.