Tailbone Injury: Care Instructions

Overview

Injuries to the tailbone (coccyx) can occur when you slip or fall and hit your tailbone. A tailbone injury causes pain when you sit, especially when you slump or sit on a hard seat. Straining to have a bowel movement can also be very painful. Tailbone injuries can take several months to heal, but home treatment can ease the pain.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine to reduce pain and swelling. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your tailbone for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You can switch between using ice and heat 2 to 3 days after the injury. Take a warm bath for 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day. You can use a doughnut-shaped pillow or towel in the tub to pad the hard tub surface.
• Do not sit on hard, unpadded surfaces. Sit on a doughnut-shaped pillow to take pressure off the tailbone area.
• Avoid constipation, because straining to have a bowel movement will increase your tailbone pain.
  • Include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains in your diet each day. These foods are high in fiber.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase your fluid intake.
  • Get some exercise every day. Build up slowly to 30 to 60 minutes a day on 5 or more days of the week.
  • Take a fiber supplement, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, every day if needed. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Schedule time each day for a bowel movement. A daily routine may help. Take your time and do not strain when having your bowel movement.