Lower spine/tailbone soreness

mandat28 · 09-16-2008, 03:45 PM

I am stubborn and have a hard time accepting this, but I think I am injured. I am almost finished with Stage 4 of NROL4W, but took the last week off in an attempt to recover. I seem to have done something to my tailbone, although I don't think it is the bone itself. It hurts as I am sitting or standing, if I lean a certain way, if I run and when I strain to go to the bathroom (sorry TMI).

While I say I took the last week off, I mean from NROL4W. I teach 2 cycle classes, 2 lift classes and a bootcamp each week. I have taken it easy during those as much as possible but can't seem to shake this. Anyone ever have problems with this area? My insurance is terrible and I can't really afford all the tests/images I'm sure a doctor will have me do. Not a fan of chiropractors either...I guess I'm just looking for some advice.

UConnJulie · 09-16-2008, 06:28 PM

Did you sustain a fall onto your butt?

Any numbness associated with it?

When you say "tailbone" where exactly do YOU mean? (ie a picture with an arrow might be helpful)

Is there anything that you can do to alleviate it?

Rokzane · 09-16-2008, 06:48 PM

I replied to this post in the other forum it was posted in...but hey, a repeat is always good.

I think you need to take a week off completely from EVERYTHING. I've had to deal with the injured tailbone before (usually from falling on my butt), and the only things that heal it are rest, icing (at least 3 times a day for 20 minutes each), and Advil. If you absolutely need some activity, I would swim laps--something relatively gentle on your body.

Also, massage therapy can really help by easing the spasms of the muscles surrounding the tailbone. If you have a Message Envy in your area, they are very reasonable in price.

mandat28 · 09-17-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Did you sustain a fall onto your butt?

Any numbness associated with it?

When you say "tailbone" where exactly do YOU mean? (ie a picture with an arrow might be helpful)

Is there anything that you can do to alleviate it?

No fall or impact that I'm aware of, it came on gradually and became constant after I was at a church meeting one evening for about 3 hours in a hard chair. Ever since then it has been a nuisance.

I don't know how to get pics on here, but it's literally at the base of the tailbone, a wee bit on the right side. Not the bone itself, but maybe nerves or a muscle that is attached. I've tried foam rolling over the last couple days and made my husband massage the lower back last night. Still bothering me this morning, but I taught spin today. I've been going really light, but think I may have to quit everything for a week to see how I do...bummer.
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UConnJulie · 09-17-2008, 04:36 PM

Yes, but what you think of as your "tailbone" and what I think of as your "tailbone" might not be the same thing. Are you talking about your sacrum or your coccyx? Or is it more in your lower lumbar spine?

mandat28 · 09-17-2008, 04:57 PM

pretty sure it's the sacrum.

UConnJulie · 09-17-2008, 04:58 PM

See ... I wouldn't call that my "tailbone"!!

Lots of things can cause pain in your sacrum as it is a common site of referred pain. Where you are describing (deep in the glute off to the side of the sacrum) indicates that it might just be piriformis/glute tightness.

What are you doing for stretching?

mandat28 · 09-18-2008, 08:36 AM

Awesome! I did some searching on periformis and that seems to be the culprit. I have only been doing foam rolls because I wasn't quite sure how to isolate that area while stretching. From the research I've done I have some good ideas of how to stretch the area and will more than likely back off cycling next week and see how I do.

Thanks for all your help!