Tailbone pain, also called coccygodnia, can be quite a painful experience. If a fracture is ruled out in your case, it could take a few weeks for the tailbone to heal completely. But, it will heal in that duration only if you get adequate rest for about two weeks. Avoid running, exercising, standing for more than 20 minutes at a stretch, walking too much, lifting heavy objects, and doing household work. If you continue physical activity, stress the tailbone, and not get it treated immediately, it could take months or even years before it recovers completely. Immediate care must be taken as the pain in the tailbone can make sitting, standing, walking or just about any movement a painful task. The pain can also move to the legs, causing a great deal of pain to them too. If it becomes too intense, you may even experience pain during sexual intercourse and during and after defecating. Even if your doctor has ruled out any complication, you need to consult him about the pain. Don’t rely just on painkillers as they bring only temporary relief.
Till your doctor advises you a treatment, you can deal with the pain yourself. You must avoid sleeping on sponge mattresses or those that are too soft. Soft surfaces can aggravate pain; so sleep on hard surfaces. You must also try to sleep sideways or on the stomach as it will ensure that there is no pressure on the back and the tailbone. Application of ice pack to the injured area for about 30 minutes every three hours will also be beneficial. Ice compresses make the area numb thus bringing relief from pain. You can also alleviate the pain by taking warm baths and do some deep breathing exercises. Warm water relaxes muscles, tendons, and bones. Add some Epsom salt to the bath and soak in it for about 20 minutes.
Till your injury is healed, avoid wearing heels and wear only flat surfaced comfortable footwear. Comfortable cotton clothing will also help, as wearing jeans can cause irritation by rubbing against the lower back. It’s also important to prevent constipation as straining while defecating will worsen the pain. So consume enough fiber foods and fluids. This will also provide nutrients that help in healing injuries. Also make sure that your posture is right. Slouching will add more pressure to the tailbone and delay the healing process. These are tips to reduce pain and aid healing of the injury.