Shift Your Posture

Animated graphic of pelvic floor, sacrococcygeal joint, and coccyx

My Coccyx is Stuck!

Or “My Butt Hurts”.  Hopefully, you have not experienced this, but it is a real problem for anyone that has a fall on their buttocks. Some women can also have the coccyx that gets “shifted” to one side during childbirth. Some people may have what they consider is “sciatica” pain on one side that involve the coccyx. The sacrum is the lower fused bones of the spine and the coccyx is a small triangular bone beneath that. The coccyx can sometimes be stuck or tilted downward & inwards so that it is uncomfortable to sit on one side or even walking can prove to be extremely painful. Often the coccyx is referred to as the “tail of the body”

According to Erik Dalton, Founder of Myoskeletal™ Alignment Therapy & Freedom from Pain Institute, “In a fully functioning body, the coccyx acts as a shock absorber by flexing forward during sitting. Together, the coccyx and bilateral ischial tuberosities form a weight-bearing tripod that houses the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. The coccyx bears more weight when a seated person leans back, so we often see coccydynia clients flex at the hips to shift more weight to the sitz bones. They usually report dull, aching pain emanating from the gluteal cleft just superior of the anus and sometimes stabbing pain when rising from prolonged sitting.”

This can affect premenstrual issues, migraines, and sharp pains on one side of the buttocks when tipped back when sitting.  One of the reasons that I am such a fan of working with people with Myoskeletal™ Alignment Therapy is that is gets to the root of the problem. I work with my clients clothed so I can get into areas deeply and cautiously. The gentle “lifting” of the coccyx releasing the adapting tissues is done. Along with gentle movement with the client can give relief often in one session. The coccyx can affect the entire nervous system and its organs. I like the “Head to Tail” approach with MAT as there is involvement of the brain even the movement of the tailbone area. I incorporate craniosacral balancing to make sure that the “Head to Tail” connection is moving fluidly, and the body incorporates proper movement at the end of each session.

If you or anyone you know is having tailbone or coccyx issues please feel free to schedule a Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy session or call for more information