Do you find it difficult to sit for an extended period of time?
If you suffer from tailbone pain, any amount of pressure on your coccyx can feel unbearable. This can hinder your ability to engage in everyday activities, from working to driving.
To ease your discomfort, there are several different sitting positions and tips you can try. Today, we're sharing our top recommendations to help you feel as comfortable as possible.
What is Tailbone Pain?
Tailbone pain is a type of back pain that is concentrated in your coccyx, or tailbone. This is the bony structure located at the base of your spine. There are many different issues that can cause you to feel pain in this region, including:
- Physical trauma (e.g. falling)
- Degenerative joint damage
- Long periods of sitting on a hard, narrow surface
Usually, the pain is defined as a dull ache, though it can become sharper with activity. Either way, tailbone pain tends to resolve on its own. For instance, that sharp jolt of pain you feel after exiting a long car ride should be gone shortly after you start moving around again.
However, there are some concerns that cause this discomfort to linger. This is especially the case if your pain is attributed to joint changes or physical trauma.
Sitting With Tailbone Pain
As you seek treatment for your tailbone pain, you might find that sitting for any length of time is difficult. Let's take a look at a few tips you can try to lessen the ache.
Change Position
Whether you're sitting cross-legged on the floor or upright in an office chair, the natural human tendency is to sit directly on your tailbone. When you do, you're putting all of your body weight on your lower back and tailbone. This can exacerbate your symptoms and lead to prolonged discomfort.
For quick relief, try leaning forward. This simple motion shifts your weight and helps relieve pressure from that sensitive point.
Another posture tip? Try to avoid slouching, as it can also put unnecessary pressure on your coccyx. By sitting up straight and keeping your head, neck and pelvis in a straight line, you can help keep your spine as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Use a Coccyx Seat Cushion
Any time you know you're going to be sitting down for a while, go ahead and bring along a special cushion meant just for tailbone relief, such as our Gel-Infused Memory Foam Coccyx Seat Cushion. Made from real memory foam that's both gel-infused and ventilated, this is one item you'll want to keep on hand.
No matter how long you sit, the ventilation holes ensure you'll stay cool and comfortable all day long. You'll also stay firmly in place, thanks to the cushion's non-slip bottom that prevents it from sliding around as you shift in your seat.
The best part? Our cushion's unique U-shape is ergonomically designed to cushion and cradle your curves for a natural fit. In fact, the memory foam is designed to be heat-responsive, which means it responds to your body heat and molds around you to provide additional support.
For all of these reasons and more, orthopedists and doctors alike recommend our Coccyx Seat Cushion to patients seeking relief from oppressive tailbone pain. Stash one in at your office, in your car, and at home for around-the-clock comfort.
Take Frequent Standing Breaks
Another way to make sitting with tailbone pain easier to bear? Don't sentence yourself to hours of uninterrupted sitting. Instead, remember to schedule short stretch breaks every 20 minutes or so.
Take a short walk around the office, head to the mailbox or make a snack. If you have the space, you can also incorporate some of these tailbone-relieving stretches into your break time!
Traveling a long distance? If so, it's smart to plan ahead to stop every few hours for a stretch break. In addition to your coccyx seat cushion, you can also check out our full travel collection for products that can enhance any car ride!
Apply Heat or Ice
You might not be able to travel to work with an ice pack every day. Still, heat or cold therapy can provide much-needed coccyx pain relief when you need it the most. Try using a heating pad or hot water bottle to soothe your achy joints, followed by a cold pack to reduce inflammation.
Apply each treatment for around 10 to 15 minutes for maximum efficiency. As you apply each one, massage the area around your tailbone to help loosen your stiff muscles and ease the pain.
Wear Loose Clothing
Did you know the clothes you wear can actually worsen your coccyx pain? For long periods of sitting, try to remember to wear comfortable, loose-fitting pants and shirts that you can freely move around in without pain.
Tight jeans or tops can restrict your muscles and limit your mobility, making it difficult to ease into a comfortable position. In addition, they can also create additional pressure on your tailbone.
Find Lasting Relief From Your Tailbone Pain
If you have temporary or chronic tailbone pain, you shouldn't have to sit and suffer in silence. From breaks and stretches to ice packs and coccyx seat cushions, there are myriad tools and resources you can use to help lessen your discomfort.
If your pain persists or becomes more severe, your doctor may also prescribe more advanced therapies, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkillers, steroid injections or surgery. Ultimately, you should be able to live free of any back pain, unworried about how sitting, working, or driving will impact your day.
Looking for more products that can help you live a cozy, comfy life? We've got them all in our online shop. Check out our range of health and wellness products today to learn more. Along the way, feel free to contact us with any questions!
Leave a comment