tail bone (coccyx) pain

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I came here searching for why my tailbone hurts so much after biking, and I think this might be it. I've got a very cushy seat, and a pretty cushy bum, haha. I'm going to play around with adjusting the seat to see if it helps. Do you think it would decrease as my bum gets less cushy? Less soft tissue to push against nerves?

Riding with pain is no fun.
If you can try a different saddle that is less cushy and padded, you might have a solution. Beats waiting around to lose weight while you suffer in pain!

[Pangie]

Riding with pain is no fun.
If you can try a different saddle that is less cushy and padded, you might have a solution. Beats waiting around to lose weight while you suffer in pain!

I went in for a tune-up today and explained the pain in the butt I've been experiencing (literal pain, that is, haha) and the lady helping me agreed that my seat is way too cushy. We looked at a few options and eventually settled on this one:

http://globalbikes.info/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=38357

WOW! What a difference! I can tell that I'm actually on my sit bones, which is a new one for me, haha.

Thanks for recommending I try a different one!

[tctrek]

Wonder how the OP is making out? Sure you can have tailbone discomfort from the wrong saddle or saddle position, but I don't think I've heard of it going on and on into daily life, just sitting down, etc. That seemed extreme, unless maybe she rides daily.

[bacarver]

I had an MRI on April 8th and the report mentions disc degeneration, disc bulging and protrusion, and degenerative joint disease to the lumbar/sacral areas. No problems were found with my coccyx. So, I think the tailbone pain is radiating pain. My health care provider offered heat therapy and steroids. I don't see how heat will help and I do not want steroids because I'll gain all kinds of weight. The next option at some point is possibly seeing a spine/back specialist in Evansville IN.

I ride twice a week in most cases and I'm typically on the bike for less than two hours each time. My last few rides were pain-free in regard to my bike seat.

Couches are still my biggest problem. I sit and reposition myself carefully. No sudden moves!

How did this problem get started? Is it something I did or is this my aging process? I value exercise so highly and I want to ride and hike till I'm old. Is this going to result in a change of plans?

I'm only 48.

I do have the information provided by the MRI, but I'm still confused about the whole thing.

I sure miss the days when I was pain free . . .

Barb

[Leesann]

Hi Barb, I know its a year since you last posted, just wondering how you are doing with riding and your tailbone pain.

I've just started riding, and its aggravating my tailbone pain. Prior to riding, I've had tailbone pain for about 4 years. I've seen orthopedists, chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists. Had bone scans, x-rays, and nothing shows as abnormal. I didn't have an injury, I started a new job, with a new chair, and so began my pain. Fast forward 4 years. I still have pain, although more moderate now. Helps that I have a job where I'm on my feet all day. But riding my new bike has brought back intense pain.

I found coccyx.org. I highly recommend anyone with tailbone pain to go to this site. I've found that most doctors know NOTHING about treating this kind of pain. The Ortho told me I have a slight bulging disk. The Chiro told me my sacrum is out of tork. Yes, well, but no one has provided a solution that provides pain relief. The Coccyx website has a list of doctors who specialize in treating this kind of pain. Some do manual adjustments, or steriod injections, and for extreme cases, surgeons will remove the coccyx. I've moved and am now trying a new doctor I found from the site. Two years ago, I used one other doctor from the site who was very helpful. He did manual adjustments, which gave me significant relief. I will have to see how the new Doctor goes, have only seen him once, and my pain is slightly reduced, but don't think I could ride a bike right now.

I'm also in the market for a new saddle. Anyone with tail bone pain have a recommendation for a new saddle? I want one that has little or no contact with my tailbone area.

Lisa

[Bike Goddess]

Look into Egoscue Method. This form of PT is designed to help people with all kinds of pain. I"m currently doing a program of E-exercises which has helped me (posture related stuff) a lot. They have videos explaining how to do the exercises on the web. We are lucky enough in the SF Bay Area to find people who will tailor a program to your specific needs.

One of my bike buddies who is familiar with this kind of therapy (he has used it with patients in the past) says its quite good.

Our first introduction to this type of bodywork was through a book we found called "Pain Free". Lots of exercises in the book with pictures, etc. and explanations of what the exercise is meant to do in terms of areas of your body.

[bacarver]

Hi Leesann -

Thank you for thinking of me. I chased doctors and tests last summer and got no where. I bought a special v-cushion and it didn't help. I carried it everywhere for a month.
I decided to just live with the problem. Interestingly, the pain and the disruption to my life has decreased. For this, I am thankful. I still have occasional coccyx pain, but not like it was last summer. I have read that this pain sometimes disappears in the same way it appeared. I have no explanations for either.
I'm using the same saddle, and I'm glad I didn't take my time and money to locate the perfect saddle (if there is one). The angle of my coccyx when I'm on my bike is degrees off from the site of pain. Therefore, my bike seat has little to do with my tailbone pain. Sitting at a 90 degree angle (on soft chairs and couches and my bed) was causing me significant pain last summer.
For now I am doing well.
I hope the same for everyone else burdened by this perplexing problem.
Barb

[OakLeaf]

If it's improving with the measures you're taking, I wouldn't worry. If it's not, then if it were me I'd see a chiropractor who has or works with a good massage therapist. You've now twice mentioned the possibility of a structural problem with referred pain. Chiropractic and massage are the specialties that treat those conditions.


(I also wouldn't worry about the "TMI" on your MRI. Perhaps some Yoga or physical therapy to help re-align your spine and let the discs heal.)