How Do You Stop Bruised Tailbone Pain?
The tailbone, or coccyx, is a bone located at the bottom of the spine where the back joins the buttocks. Experiencing a fall onto a hard floor or other surface that does not provide any “give” can result in bruising of the tailbone, a condition that is quite painful. Tailbone pain caused by bruising can last for several weeks, and a fracture of the coccyx may take even longer to heal. Measures of self-care at home can help stop, or at least lessen, bruised tailbone pain. Ice the tailbone area 3 to 4 times a day for the first few days post-injury. Use flexible ice packs or bags of frozen vegetables that conform to your body’s shape for 20 minutes at a time. Lie on your side or back, depending on your comfort level, as you ice. Take a pain reliever every 4 to 6 hours while you are experiencing tailbone pain. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation. Ask your doctor for an alternative if you are unable to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs
