The coccyx is the last bone at the lower end of the spine. Pain in the coccyx (known by the medical term coccygodynia) can develop as a result of a fall, fracture, dislocation, childbirth, tumor, or not having a specific cause. It can be severe and limit the ability to sit, walk, work and move in everyday life. One way to alleviate this is to use a pillow designed specifically for this type of problem. It is usually made of a durable gel or foam and has a hollow on the back that relieves the pressure exerted on the tailbone or spine.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using the Coccyx Pillow
Step 1. Use the pillow all over
The action of this cushion will be most effective if you can use it in the car, at home, at work and wherever you need to sit. You can buy more than one cheaply or opt for one to take with you and use it everywhere.
- Consistency is the recipe for relieving coccyx pain using this special pillow.
- However, please note that it is not suitable in all situations. For example, it can be useful when you are sitting at your desk, but it is not as effective while you are driving. Try using it on several occasions to figure out when it can offer you the most pain relief.
Step 2. Sit in a chair with a backrest
Use the coccyx cushion on a backed chair for extra support. It will help you naturally improve your posture by lifting your hips slightly, while the chair with the back will allow you to assume a standing position and take the pressure off your spine and pelvis.
When you use a cushion on a chair that in itself allows you to sit at a fairly comfortable height, your thighs are likely to be slightly higher than normal. To compensate for this difference, try using a footrest so that your lower limbs are comfortable too. If the chair is adjustable, also try adjusting the seat height to feel more comfortable
Step 3. Place the coccyx cushion directly on the chair
Do not use it with other cushions, otherwise the seat will not be uniform and you will be forced, in turn, to distribute the weight and pressure in an uneven and unhealthy way for the back. Place it on the seat or place it slightly tilted, as most people prefer.
- If you need extra thickness, buy it taller instead of adding pillows or other types of padding.
- If you put it on a rather soft seat, such as a sofa or an armchair upholstered in soft material, insert a hard board under the cushion for extra support.
Step 4. Add a cold or warm compress if you want extra relief
Try using the tailbone pillow in conjunction with a cold or warm pack if you need heat therapy. Wrap two bottles of hot water or ice in a towel and place them in the side recesses of the pillow.
- Some cushions may have gel inserts that you can heat or freeze before being put back in their place.
- Consult your doctor to find out if the effect of the cold or hot compress can help you.
Step 5. Keep the pillow clean
Try to get a tailbone pillow with a removable, machine washable cover. It will help you to keep the product you have purchased clean and in optimal hygienic conditions.
Step 6. Buy a better one if needed
If your tailbone pillow doesn't relieve your pain satisfactorily, try another one.
For example, you might use one made of soft foam and find that it doesn't decrease your pain at all. In this case, buy another stuffed with a stiffer and denser foam so that it gives you more support. The choice of padding varies from one individual to another based on personal needs
Part 2 of 2: Get yourself a coccyx pillow
Step 1. Find out exactly about the functions and structure of this support
The tailbone pillow (sometimes called a wedge pillow) is a V or U-shaped support that protects the tailbone from pressure discomfort. Some types are also wedge-shaped. Often the U or V shape compared to the donut shape offers greater comfort to those suffering from coccygodynia. These pillows can also be used to give relief to those suffering from hemorrhoids, prostate ailments, pilonidal cysts or degenerative bone diseases.
- Doctors often recommend that patients use this type of pillow after back surgery to reduce pressure on the spine and tailbone.
- It is often used to relieve pain caused by other conditions involving chronic and inflammatory pain or to relieve pressure on the back and pelvic area during pregnancy.
- It differs from ring-shaped or donut-shaped pillows (basically those that have a hole in the center) and helps to reduce the pressure on the anal region and prostate in case of hemorrhoids and prostate enlargement.
Step 2. Buy a tailbone pillow
You can buy it at a health care or pharmacy. You can also try searching online for expressions like "coccyx cushion" and "wedge cushion". It is less expensive to search for it on the Internet, but the advantage of going directly to the store is that you can try different types to see which one is best suited to your needs.
Find out in advance. There are several aspects to take into consideration when purchasing this product. Some cushions are softer and taller, others are inflatable, while still others have a washable cover. You can also find models that have padding made of different materials and realize that one type is more comfortable than another. Among the materials used there are memory foam, gel, semi-liquid gel and many others. Check with your doctor or orthopedist to find out if they have specific recommendations for you
Step 3. Consider making it yourself
If you can't find the right solution for your needs while shopping around shops, try making a tailbone pillow yourself. Most of the time it is a normal pillow with a small opening on one side. Get a piece of memory foam of a certain size or a pillow made of this same material and cut a small indentation on one side.
Here are other more creative solutions: tape pieces of floating pool tubes together, use a neck pillow or fill a sock with rice and fold it into a "U" shape
Step 4. Choose a comfortable pillow
Coccyx cushions are produced in various thicknesses and densities, so it is important to choose a comfortable one. Press it with your hand to feel how stiff it feels. This will give you a better idea of the feeling you will have when you sit down and the support it can offer you.
There are also cushions made with gel inserts that can provide softer padding and better adapt to the particular attitudes of the body. In some models these inserts are also removable in order to be heated or cooled in case there is the need to resort to thermotherapy
Step 5. Try the coccyx cushions with and without recess
Some models are U-shaped and have a recessed area that relieves the pressure exerted on the spine and coccyx. Many people find them more comfortable, so try the stiffer ring-shaped ones and the notched ones to figure out which type is best for your needs.
Step 6. Check if it is thick enough
Typically, these cushions have a height that varies between 7.5cm and 17-18cm. Most people prefer 7.5cm tall ones, but if they are thicker, they may suit heavier people.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist what the ideal height is for your physical condition and considering your build
Advice
- Coccyx pain can occur at any age, but older people are at a greater risk, especially if they suffer from degenerative bone disease. Women also seem to fall into this category.
- By constantly using the coccyx pillow and making cold or hot packs according to the recommendations given by your doctor, you should recover and relieve pain faster.
