How to describe TAILBONE PAIN (coccyx pain)

by Dr. Foye... www.TailboneDoctor.com 

IntroductionHow do you best describe your sore tailbone (coccyx) to your doctor? Being able to describe your symptoms to your physician can help the doctor to understand what is causing your tailbone pain and how to treat it. In my medical career as a physician who has treated at least hundreds of patients with tailbone pain, I commonly see patients who are unsure how to describe their tailbone pains. The steps below will ask you some questions that should help you to organize your descriptions of your tailbone symptoms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Steps

Step One

Location: First, your doctor will want to know where your pain is coming from. Notice which location seems most painful. If you can point with one finger to the most painful area, that will help the doctor to know whether the pain seems to be coming from the tailbone (coccyx) rather than coming from some other nearby locations.

Step Two

Severity: Try to rate the severity of your tailbone pain on a scale of zero to 10, with zero being no pain at all and 10 being the worst pain imaginable. Is the tailbone pain excruciating, or is it just a mild annoyance?

Step Three

Duration: How long have you been experiencing the tailbone pain? When did the tailbone pain first start? Be as specific as you can.

Step Four

Onset of pain: Did the tailbone pain start suddenly or did it start more gradually? What do you think might have caused it?

Step Five

Pain descriptors: What phrases would best describe the type of tailbone symptoms that you are having? Would you call it pain, soreness, discomfort, burning, stabbing, or aching?

Step Six

Is the tailbone pain constant, or does it come and go?

Step Seven

Exacerbating factors: What makes the tailbone pain worse? Is it worse with sitting? After you are sitting for a while, does the coccyx pain suddenly get worse when you first stand up? Is sitting worse on some chairs or surfaces than on others?

Step Eight

Relieving factors: Notice what makes the tailbone pain feel less. Does it feel better with over-the-counter pain medications? Does it feel better when you avoid certain activities?

Step Nine

See your physician: Have your doctor evaluate your symptoms and perform a careful physical examination that should specifically include checking to see if the pain is really coming from the tailbone are not. The doctor may also want to order some tests.

Step Ten

If your doctor is not experienced at evaluating tailbone pain or is not aware of non-surgical treatments to offer you, seek a second opinion from a physician with more expertise in this area.

Overall Tips & Warnings

• For more information on Tailbone pain, please see TailboneDoctor’s other articles on eHow, or go to www.TailboneDoctor.com
• WARNING: This information is intended to be educational and is NOT to be considered as medical advice. This information is NOT a substitute for direct medical care from a physician who evaluates you in person.
• WARNING: coccyx pain can sometimes be due to very serious underlying medical conditions, so it is important to seek in-person evaluation by a medical professional.
• WARNING: Many physicians and other health providers have little or no experience in evaluating or treating tailbone pain or coccyx injuries. If you are not satisfied with the first physician you see, then seek medical attention from a specialist with experience in treating tailbone pain.