|
|
CE Forman - ceforman[NO.SP@M.PLE@SE.TH@NK.YOU]@pobox.com
Posted 2009-09-27
My discomfort started about 3 weeks ago, for no reason I can determine. When sitting in my office chair, it felt like I was seated on a thin metal bar right at the base of my tailbone. After about 3 days it started to get painful, so I stopped at a medical supply store and bought a coccyx pillow and a backrest.
Using these devices it's not outright painful anymore but it's still distinctly uncomfortable. When I'm at home I can get situated so it doesn't bother me, but at work I've gone through every chair in the office and even the best one leaves me shifting around constantly, even with the pillow and backrest.
It's not getting better though, so I'm considering getting actual medical advice. Does anyone know of any specialists in the Peoria or Bloomington-Normal areas? The closest practitioners listed on this site would require a drive of several hours. (Not looking forward to that.)
Thanks.
Update, 2009-10-04
Got an update, and it's good news. After a couple of pretty unbearable days, I made a chiropractor appointment. He took some X-rays and showed that my neck was curved improperly, most of my spine was very much out of alignment, and my pelvis was balanced unevenly. I noticed an improvement after one adjustment, and today after my second I'm sitting pretty comfortably without using the coccyx cushion. Apparently my neck and back issues were affecting everything further down. Most likely this was caused by years of normal repetitive stress from sitting on the job. I have a few more adjustments scheduled for next week but based on the first two the results seem positive.
I highly recommend seeking chiropractic treatment if you're experiencing coccyx discomfort that's not the result of a traumatic injury; it definitely helped in my particular case.
Update, 2009-10-11
Well, I may have spoken too soon. The chiropractic treatment has been marginally helpful -- I can now sit for short, 20-30 minute periods without the aid of a cushion -- but my discomfort is far from gone.
I've found that leaning forward in my chair when sitting eliminates the problem, but I can't do this all day as it makes the thoracic area of my back ache after about 3-4 hours. A freezer gel pack also helps, mainly because the cold temporarily distracts from the discomfort.
Feeling somewhat discouraged at the moment, and I really wish I had some idea of what caused this. I'll probably seek out other options if it doesn't improve after a few more treatments.
Update, 2009-10-25
I was going to the chiropractor for awhile, getting neck and back adjustments, and recently they moved to a couple in the sacrum/coccyx area. It was helpful, and the "sitting on a metal bar" sensation was starting to clear, and I did regain some movement in my neck that I didn't even realize I'd lost. But progress was slow, and at $40 a pop it adds up. Then this week I had a huge car repair bill, and I'm not going to be able to afford the treatments for awhile.
Frustrated and willing to try anything as long as it was free, I gave the yoga exercises a go. They are miraculous. I alternated between the 3 of them for about 15 minutes. The next day I was able to sit comfortably through almost all of my work shift using the cushion (which before was helpful but didn't completely stop the discomfort). The twinge in my coccyx area is mostly gone, replaced by a dull ache that comes and goes. Like the other yoga people, the pain seems to be migrating.
There's still some discomfort sitting any length of time, but it's definitely better. I'm still using the cushion and backrest, and plan to continue the exercises indefinitely. Will post further updates as they occur. If anyone else is experiencing this due to repetitive stress from sitting (and not a traumatic injury), I highly recommend, before you spend any money on treatments, try the yoga. It is incredible.
Update, 2009-11-01
Well, it seems I once again spoke too soon. The yoga does help somewhat, but I've had a couple of relapse days this week where it's just plain uncomfortable to sit, even with the cushion.
Finally broke down and went to an M.D., he did a quick exam and they took some more X-rays. Should know more next week.
I promise I'll wait at least a week before posting anything, so I don't keep giving people any false hope.