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Writer's pictureDr. Maya Gonzales

How to Minimize Pain After a Tailbone Injury: Effective Therapies to Help You Heal

Tailbone injuries are notorious for causing lingering discomfort, making it hard to sit, stand, or even sleep comfortably. Whether you’ve experienced a direct impact to the coccyx or developed pain from long periods of sitting, effective management and therapies can make a significant difference in your recovery. Here, we’ll explore how to minimize pain after tailbone injury and some of the best treatment options.


how to minimize pain after tailbone injury

Chiropractic Manipulation for Tailbone Pain Relief

Chiropractic care can be an effective way to reduce pain in the coccyx area by realigning the spine and pelvis, which helps alleviate tension and pressure around the injury. A skilled chiropractor may use gentle techniques to assess and adjust the sacrum and lower spine, creating better stability and balance in the pelvic region. Not only can this reduce pain, but it can also improve your posture, which may help prevent further strain on the tailbone as you heal.

Benefits of Chiropractic Manipulation:

  • Restores proper alignment in the lower spine and pelvis

  • Relieves pressure on the coccyx

  • Reduces inflammation and improves mobility

  • Promotes better posture and spine health


Active Release Technique (ART) for Soft Tissue Relief

After a tailbone injury, muscles and soft tissues around the coccyx can become tense or develop scar tissue, limiting movement and causing additional pain. Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue therapy that targets these tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments to break down scar tissue, reduce tension, and improve range of motion.

A trained ART provider will identify and isolate specific problem areas, then apply targeted pressure to release the tension. The gentle stretching and movement incorporated into ART can be especially beneficial for relieving muscle tightness around the coccyx, accelerating healing and restoring comfort.

Benefits of Active Release Technique (ART):

  • Targets scar tissue and adhesions around the coccyx area

  • Reduces pain caused by muscle tightness and spasms

  • Improves flexibility and movement in surrounding muscles

  • Supports a quicker return to everyday activities


Dry Needling for Pain and Muscle Spasm Relief

Dry Needling is another effective treatment for pain relief and muscle relaxation after a tailbone injury. This technique involves inserting thin needles into tight or painful muscle areas, known as trigger points, to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. By releasing these trigger points, dry needling can reduce muscle spasms, inflammation, and chronic pain around the coccyx area.

Many patients find dry needling helpful for pain that persists despite other treatments. Combined with chiropractic care and ART, it can provide a comprehensive approach to minimizing pain and improving function.

Benefits of Dry Needling:

  • Reduces muscle tension and pain around the tailbone

  • Alleviates chronic pain and muscle spasms

  • Promotes blood flow to the injured area

  • Speeds up the healing process when used with other therapies


Assisted Stretching for Increased Mobility and Flexibility

Assisted Stretching is a gentle and controlled approach to stretching that can target tight muscles around the coccyx and lower back. With the help of a trained professional, assisted stretching allows for a deeper and safer stretch than one might achieve on their own. For those recovering from a tailbone injury, assisted stretching can relieve muscle tension, improve flexibility, and reduce pressure around the injured area.

Guided stretching can also alleviate strain in surrounding areas, like the hips and lower back, helping to distribute weight and pressure more evenly and prevent further injury.

Benefits of Assisted Stretching:

  • Safely stretches tight muscles around the coccyx and lower back

  • Improves flexibility and mobility in the affected area

  • Reduces tension and pain by enhancing blood flow

  • Prevents compensatory strain in surrounding muscle groups


Shockwave Therapy (EPAT) for Acute and Chronic Pain Reduction and Healing

For individuals dealing with acute and long-term tailbone pain or a stubborn injury that doesn’t seem to improve, Shockwave Therapy can be an excellent treatment option. Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, breaking down scar tissue and improving blood flow to the injured area.

This non-invasive therapy is particularly helpful for chronic pain cases, as it targets deep tissues that may be difficult to treat with manual therapy alone. When applied to the coccyx area, Shockwave Therapy can reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and promote better function in surrounding muscles and ligaments.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy:

  • Breaks down scar tissue that may be contributing to pain

  • Increases blood flow to promote natural healing

  • Reduces chronic inflammation and pain in the coccyx area

  • Supports long-term pain relief and improved function


Tips for Self-Care After a Tailbone Injury

In addition to these therapies, taking proactive steps for self-care at home can help you manage pain and support your recovery. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Use a Cushion: Sitting on a cushioned surface, or using a specially designed coccyx cushion, can help reduce pressure on the tailbone and make sitting more comfortable.

  • Avoid Prolonged Sitting: Take frequent breaks from sitting, and try to stand or walk every 20-30 minutes to relieve pressure on the coccyx.

  • Apply Heat or Ice: Heat can relax muscles and improve blood flow, while ice can help reduce swelling. Alternate these therapies based on your comfort.

  • Practice Gentle Stretching: Stretching the hip and lower back muscles can reduce tension and pain in the surrounding area.


Finding the Right Combination for You

Tailbone injuries can be complex, and the right combination of therapies will depend on your unique situation. Working with an experienced chiropractor and a skilled team at Evergreen Spine & Sports Medicine that offers ART, Dry Needling, Assisted Stretching, and Shockwave Therapy can provide a holistic approach to recovery, helping you minimize pain and return to the activities you love.

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