Q&A for How to Alleviate Tailbone Pain

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Question

Is ice or heat better for tailbone pain?

David Schechter, MD
Family Medicine Practitioner
Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.

David Schechter, MD

Family Medicine Practitioner

Expert Answer

Ice works well. You can try an over-the-counter topical NSAID gel like diclofenac. Just rub a small amount onto your tailbone area 3-4 times a day, or as directed on the label.

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Question

How do you release tension in your tailbone?

David Schechter, MD
Family Medicine Practitioner
Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.

David Schechter, MD

Family Medicine Practitioner

Expert Answer

If the pain is due to a soft tissue injury in the area, your doctor may recommend injections around your tailbone to help relieve your pain.

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Question

I think I am seriously injured because its been a week and the pain has not changed. I tried all the home remedies and I have football practice this week. What should I do — should I go to practice or tell my mom to call my doctor?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

I would seek the advice of a doctor. Were you wearing your tailbone pad while you were playing? A lot of athletes these days don't wear a girdle while playing football. This could have lead to your tailbone pain. You need to get an x-ray to make sure you did not fracture your sacrum or coccyx.

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Question

My pain has lasted for 18 days now. I had x-rays and nothing was found. I have used ice and heat as prescribed, but pain and burning still exists. I take 600 units ibuprofen twice a day and Tramadol 50mg as needed every 12 hours. Pain is greater when rising from sitting to standing. Any advice?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Try to buy a cushion for your seat. You may have soft tissue damage to the area surrounding the sacrum and coccyx. There is a lot of connective tissue in that area, and this could lead to some extreme pain if it is torn. Unfortunately, you may need to learn how to live with the discomfort. Consider having an MRI of the pelvis to see if there is any other pathology present.

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Question

How can I ease tailbone pain quickly?

David Schechter, MD
Family Medicine Practitioner
Dr. David Schechter is a physician in Culver City, California. With over 25 years of experience as a family and sports medicine physician, Dr. Schechter specializes in mind-body medicine, preventive medicine, and chronic pain. Dr. Schechter received his MD from New York University and is an attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He was named a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine and Men's Health Magazine. He has also written several books, including The MindBody Workbook.

David Schechter, MD

Family Medicine Practitioner

Expert Answer

If you can tolerate it, use an ice bag or a bag of frozen peas or corn placed against the lower tailbone area for just about 5 minutes. Since that area doesn't have a lot of padding on it, it will get a little sensitive if you keep it on too long. However, you can ice the area again in an hour or two, up to 3 or 4 times a day.

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