My coccyx experience

Manon - ultimathule13@gmail.com

Posted 2010-12-12

I started having pain in my coccyx 4 months ago probably as a consequence of an almost imperceptible osteopathic manipulation. Pain increased over 3 weeks and then became unbearable. I have been living mostly lying on the side since.

I have tried most treatments without success so far including internal manipulations at Sayers clinic in London (see Doctors and specialists in the UK, London) and two steroid injections with Dr Maigne (see Doctors and specialists in France), with one notable exception that I will reference to later.

My coccyx is hypermobile and bends at 90' with the sacrum when sitting. I also have inflammation on the tip. Over time I have developed pudendal neuropathy, which seems to often come with coccyx issues and is far more complicated.

What I have learnt so far and what I would do if it happened to me again is what I would like to share with you:

• - take at least 3 weeks of complete rest and anti-inflammatories as prescribed (strong if possible). Never ever sit without a coccyx cushion and then just for a few minutes. Avoid travelling. Use fish oil and vitamin b.
• - do relaxation/meditation every day to keep tensions at bay
• - for that period I would avoid any sort manipulation. I know it's very difficult to have the patience
• - never ever let any doctor push on your coccyx from the outside
• - there is one type of anti-inflammatory treatment that has worked wonders for me now and I think that it might have resolved the case if done immediately. It's called electroionotherapy and is not easy to find. I had my treatment in Italy with a machine called bio-ejt. Some medical articles in English can be found on it for the cure of knee inflammations or arthritis. It is only electricity based, involves no drugs and is n times more powerful than ultrasound or laser. It's not Tens. A similar, more easy to find, treatment is called Tecartherapy and works on the same basis. It is effective as well but is more targeting muscular issues and the apparatus seems to require massage, which can be harmful to the coccyx. Although I would not exclude that a therapist could try without massage.
• - if you have persistent pain, with a sensation of a foreign object in the anus and other signs of discomfort in the area of the perineum, it might be worth checking the pudendal nerve. It is a related pathology which requires specific treatments. For me apart from the usual painkillers for chronic pain, the key for this at the moment is warm baths and relaxation of the perineum (done by specialised physio, it's the opposite of Kegel exercises). My neurologist seems to believe that if we manage to sufficiently relax the area the pull on the coccyx might also be reduced.

All this clearly relates to my particular case of sudden onset with no significant trauma.

I would obviously welcome any advice you might have.

Manon