The tailbone, or coccyx, is located at the lower end of the spine. Coccyx pain can be caused by a fall or occur after childbirth, but one third of the cases of coccyx pain have undetermined causes.
Coccydynia
Pain in the tail bone is known as coccydynia and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. It also change over time. Coccydynia can occur after a backward fall, in childbirth or from a repetitive strain injury. It can continue for years, although it might go away suddenly without treatment. According to Coccyx.org, coccydynia is five times more common in women than men, most likely because the coccyx is more exposed in the female pelvis.
Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy involves lying on a table, secured by a harness or safety straps. The table then is tilted until the body is completely inverted. Inversion therapy dates back hundreds of years and has been used to separate the vertebrae to alleviate back pain and improve posture. According to Mayoclinic.com, although studies do not show that inversion therapy is effective for long-term relief, some patients have found it helpful for short-term relief of lower-back pain.
Study
A 1988 study titled "Spinal effects of head-down tilting. Part 1 - Low back contour changes," published in "Physical Therapy," revealed that inversion therapy is effective for reducing the depth of lower-back contours when sitting. This means that the curvature of the spine is flattened, taking pressure off the spinal discs. Although there have been no formal studies to test the effects of inversion therapy on coccydynia, a significant reduction in curvature and back pressure might lead to less pressure and sensitivity of the tailbone.
Warning
You should not use inversion therapy if you suffer from hernia, heart disorders, circulatory disorders, high blood pressure, unhealed fractures, spinal injury, retinal detachment, glaucoma, ear infections, obesity, swollen joints, cerebral sclerosis if you are pregnant or obese, or have recently had a stroke. Consult your doctor before using inversion therapy.
