The CDC says that slip-and-fall accidents are incredibly common but less than half of the people who experience these falls tell their doctor. It's important to reach out to your doctor since these accidents can result in a variety of issues, like fractures to wrists, arms, hips, and ankles. One common injury you may experience is coccydynia, or tailbone pain. Besides feeling pain around the tailbone, people with this injury may also experience constipation, incontinence, numbness/weakness in their legs, and/or swelling.

In worst-case scenarios, tailbone pain may be treated with steroid injections or even surgery. However, one study found that short-term conservative treatments, like those with a chiropractor, could be considered first when there are no bone breaks present. Here are three treatments to try.

Manual Adjustments

You may have heard of manual adjustments before, as this kind of treatment can be used for a variety of back ailments. During an adjustment, your chiropractor will use his or her hands or a specialized instrument to apply a small force to spinal joints. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that instrument-aided adjustments to the coccygeal region could be effective and comfortably tolerated by patients.

Cushion Fittings

When you've injured your tailbone, it may be difficult to sit properly without experiencing a lot of pressure and pain. Your chiropractor can fit you with a cushion that you can use at home. These cushions help to distribute your weight, and they contain a gap in the middle so that you aren't placing direct pressure on the tailbone when sitting. These cushions may be made of memory foam for extra comfort and support. Some cushions may have gel inserts, which can be refrigerated for ice therapy or microwaved for heat therapy. Ice therapy is usually used immediately after a slip-and-fall accident to reduce swelling and numb pain in the area. Heat therapy can be used later on to improve blood flow and decrease muscle guarding in the area.

Ultrasonic Therapy

You can undergo ultrasonic therapy at your chiropractor's office to improve healing times and reduce tailbone pain. Some people only need a few minutes to feel the benefits of this treatment. Your chiropractor will place a conducting gel around the tailbone area and then use an ultrasound transducer on your skin to help sound waves penetrate through soft tissue. Ultrasound devices help to warm the skin and improve blood flow, and they also act like a massage and reduce tension in muscles surrounding the tailbone.

Reach out to a chiropractor today to learn more about slip-and-fall therapy.

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