Are tailbone adjustments "normal/standard" procedure

Funny--I found your post looking for the same answers.
My chiropractor has brought me incredible relief from years of daily migraines thru adjustments. Throughout my pregnancy, he manipulated my round ligaments and activated the ribs under my breasts to ease pain--both awkward treatments, but were a means to an end.
Now I continue to complain about my tailbone which has shifted from being twisted sideways to being tucked into my pelvis. I had horrendous back labor w/ my last pregnancy and am determined to 'fix' my tailbone so that I don't have to go thru that again.
Like you, I was caught off-guard w/ the description of the manual treatment of the coccyx...but I'm finding tons of articles describing this as both a valid and successful method.
Here is a link that may help:
www.coccyx.org/treatmen/manual.htm
Look up coccydynia and you should find more.
Good luck. Hope it works for you. I'm sure you're saying the same thing I am--'Why couldn't I have a bum shoulder or something?' ;)

I believe i broke my tailbone a few years ago and it has been permanently bent. I think my lumbar spine may have lost a lot of its curve in it because of some compensation. It is difficult for me to sit up straight or stand straight without feeling this "tucking" sensation in my pelvis. Does this sound familiar? I have had low back problems, but no chronic pain that I can think of. I am very active and am wondering if I should look into internal or external adjustments...I am nervous about the invasive method--but i am also able to look at the body as a mechanical structure enough to get passed that--if it works. does it work? does it stay? does it relieve back pain and help alignment?
does anyone know anyone in Los Angeles who does this??

a

All - I broke my tailbone when I was a child and just recently learned about this internal procedure that could "fix" my tailbone. I've done a lot of research and it looks like a successful method. I am actually going to have it done next week.
During my research - I located two doctors that do this treatment near Los Angeles California. One of them is Dr. Chris Kemper in California. The other is Doctor Marc Heller in Oregon. Dr. Heller is definitely less expensive.

kemperspinecenter.com/meet.htm

www.marchellerdc.com/patient_resources/coccyxpain.htm

You can also go to the following website to locate a doctor that does this procedure in your area. I couldn't find one in my local area, but the doctors on this list were able to help me - and I eventually found one just 15 minutes from my house! You'll want to go to a doctor on this list that does "manual treatments." Good luck! :)

www.coccyx.org/treatmen/docsusa.htm

Here is a physical therapist in Lake Forest, CA that also does the procedure. There may be other physical therapists in Los Angeles that are closer to you - you would just have to make some calls. Hope this helps!

www.primitivetherapy.com/PT/Coccodynia.aspx

From an anatomical perspective, the coccyx is the base of the spine at which many neural tissues attach. The theory goes that if the coccyx is out of alignment, the neural tissues are placed on increased tension. This can result in increased neural tension throughout the bocy, impacting anything from the head/neck all the way down to the biomechanics of the foot/ankle.

So in this regard, a coccyx mobilization may have been indicated for the runner or a person suffering neck pain. It all depends. What seems to be missing is the explanation. It is usually best to wait for several sessions before entering that region of treatment. Generally, patients must sign a waiver for an internal coccyx mobilization procedure. In this day and age of lawsuits, perhaps a waiver for an external mobilization is also indicated.

As a physical therapist trained in manual therapy, I believe addressing the coccyx can be helpful, though I rarely address it in my practice. The body is complicated, and I believe there are multiple treatment approaches that may work for any given patient at any given time.

A lawsuit? Absolutely not. A phone call to get a better explanation, absolutely.

Hello. I'm the John who started this post. Wow, interesting to see this thread still getting responses after 2 years. Thanks for the feedback, advice and links. Great to know people care enough to help.

I am responding today because of Max's post. I want to be clear that I had -- and have -- no intent to build a case for a lawsuit against the PT who adjusted my coccyx. I just found it VERY strange that he opted to treat me and my two friends the exact same way, in what appears to be an un-conventional, albeit legitimate, manner.

I ended up going to another PT and received no such adjustment or even a suggestion that my coccyx be fixed. Of course, that's an even 50-50 split and no means scientific.

Best to you all.

Hi, John! I hope you still read these. Can you please give me the name of the PT that did that adjustment? I'm looking all over for someone close to Sacramento that does the internal tailbone alignment and haven't had much luck in my search. I had originally planned to go to Dr. Kemper in Chico at the Kemper Spine Center, but was told that he retired. My tailbone is severely mis-aligned and goes down and off to one side and no other manipulations will work for it. It caused my low back to completely lose its arch and affects my ability to sit upright or bend over for any length of time, it affects my overall alignment, walking, etc. due to how my body compensates for it. I've been told it is really painful, but it should offer a huge amount of relief by being re-aligned. I have a great chiropractor who is absolutely amazing (Dr. Jenkins) in the area, but he doesn't do the internal alignment. I'd really appreciate a name of someone in the area that does this. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Allegra

I believe it was a Dr. Steven Campbell in Rohnert,Park , California (Sonoma County) south of Santa Rosa that adjusted my tailbone 31 years ago. I lost all lower feeling after hitting a bump on the road from a motorcycle. It worked. I think I was the first client he did that procedure on. He's on Golf Course Parkway... Listed in phone book.

I am a physical therapist who specializes in women's health. My entire caseload consists of patients who have pelvic floor dysfunction (urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, or coccydnia), lymphedema, or physical problems associated with breast cancer surgeries. I do both vaginal and/or rectal assessments and treatment techniques on patients, as needed. To find a PT that specializes in such treatment techniques, go the the website for the American Physical Therapy Association (www.apta.org) and click on the Find A Provider link. Then use your zip code to find women's health specialists in your geographic area. You'll need to call the clinics listed and ask if they do coccyx mobilization and verify they'll treat male/female patients. Some PT's specialize only in woment, most pelvic floor therapists treat both men and women. I don't know how to do a national search for a chiropractor or MD who do the same techniques.

I forgot to check back and report my update. I found a great chiropractor in Auburn, CA named Dr. Greenlee. He was amazing and not only adjusted the Sacrum and internal tailbone alignment, but aligned everything else including my spine, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. It turns out that the Sacrum and hips had to be adjusted first before I could get my tailbone done. My pain lessened dramatically with the sacrum alignment and the #2 incontinence subsided completely with the tailbone alignment. The #1 incontinence was dramatically reduced and has improved further with the physical therapy exercises I was given through Mercy's Rehabilitation center. They target the pelvic floor, so I now have a lot of great abdominal exercises that don't put pressure on my neck or other injured areas but still strengthen that specific area. A key to the tailbone only needing a couple of adjustments is that he spent time releasing the muscles surrounding the area first (internally) - it was the most paiful part of the procedure, which is saying something because my tailbone was off directly to one side and twisted a bit. By digging into the knot next to the tailbone first until it released, he had to do fewer adjustments with a greater success and I was able to progress more rapidly. The adjustments in conjunction with physical therapy exercises to strengthen the weakened areas and support the new alignments have worked together extremely well and the severe pain and horrible discomfort (and embarrassment) have subsided into a bad dream from my past. I tend to look at all that still needs done, but you've helped me remember to look at how far I've come. Thank you. :)

Allegra in Lincoln, California said: I forgot to check back and report my update. I found a great chiropractor in Auburn, CA named Dr. Greenlee. He was amazing and not only adjusted the Sacrum and internal tailbone alignment, but aligned everything else including my spine, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. It turns out that the Sacrum and hips had to be adjusted first before I could get my tailbone done. My pain lessened dramatically with the sacrum alignment and the #2 incontinence subsided completely with the tailbone alignment. The #1 incontinence was dramatically reduced and has improved further with the physical therapy exercises I was given through Mercy's Rehabilitation center. They target the pelvic floor, so I now have a lot of great abdominal exercises that don't put pressure on my neck or other injured areas but still strengthen that specific area. A key to the tailbone only needing a couple of adjustments is that he spent time releasing the muscles surrounding the area first (internally) - it was the most paiful part of the procedure, which is saying something because my tailbone was off directly to one side and twisted a bit. By digging into the knot next to the tailbone first until it released, he had to do fewer adjustments with a greater success and I was able to progress more rapidly. The adjustments in conjunction with physical therapy exercises to strengthen the weakened areas and support the new alignments have worked together extremely well and the severe pain and horrible discomfort (and embarrassment) have subsided into a bad dream from my past. I tend to look at all that still needs done, but you've helped me remember to look at how far I've come. Thank you. :)

How long after your initial injuries to your tailbone did you go see Dr Greenlee? How badly did you hurt your tailbone, was it displaced/dislocated on an xray? The reason I am asking is because I had badly dislocated my last tailbone vertebrate.

my lowe back and tale bone doesnt let me do nothing is so painful, the even when am on the bed i can roll over to my side or to my tomach or even stand up with out getting electroc chokes

nery in Los Angeles, California said: my lowe back and tale bone doesnt let me do nothing is so painful, the even when am on the bed i can roll over to my side or to my tomach or even stand up with out getting electroc chokes

I used to be the same way before neurontin now it happens but only when im tight. I've had people try to adjust the coccyx but with little success as seen by xrays and mris.

Sen in Toronto, Ontario said: How long after your initial injuries to your tailbone did you go see Dr Greenlee? How badly did you hurt your tailbone, was it displaced/dislocated on an xray? The reason I am asking is because I had badly dislocated my last tailbone vertebrate.

Hi - sorry I didn't get back right away. It was actually about four years after the initial injury. So re-training the muscles is a part of the over-all therapy. I actually suffered many symptoms and remained undiagnosed for several years prior to many of the treatments. The xrays showed the tailbone going directly to one side - ninety degrees - and complete loss of the arch. It wasn't mentioned in the reports, but I was lucky enough to get a chiropractor who saw it (looked at my films) and recommended treatment. Since he didn't do that particular adjustment himself, I had to find a reputable doctor who did. I actually found Dr. Greenlee by accident. He was working in an office that I went to for prolotherapy on some mid-back ligaments. I found out he did that adjustment and was also very experienced with adjusting my joints and the spine/neck, sacrum, pelvis, etc. I also got massage, thoracic outlet and myofascial release, acupuncture, atlas adjustments (my atlas was also very misaligned) etc. So, many other types of treatment combined with the chiropractic adjustments have improved my quality of life. I discovered I have moderate TBI (traumatic brain injury), which also affects the body in very strange ways - so I wasn't sure how many symptoms were coming from the brain injury and how many from the spine. After I had the tailbone alignment, I felt like I had spent years in unnecessary pain and discomfort and was struck by how much relief I got from the procedure. It was really important that he adjusted the sacrum several times first and released the muscles-nerve clusters near there before the procedure(the tailbone adjustment is more likely to "take" and stay in place.)

i had a sledding injury 30 years ago in college and broke my tailbone. i didn't really notice any problems after the healing until about 2 years ago when i went on a 15 mile bike ride and injured the tailbone again. at that point i started haveing some stress incontinence whenever i would jump, dance or run. i went to a doctor who suggested i have a tape surgery done. long story short, it made the incontinence much, much worse so i had the procedure reversed, but to no avail...still bad incontinence. a friend suggested i go to a chiropractor because the nerves in the spine affect all the areas and organs of our body. so, i did. found one of the only chriropractors in virginia who does the tailbone adjustment procedure and i immediately had success. the tailbone still wants to go back to the old way, so i have to be very careful in my activities in order to allow healing so the tailbone will stay put, but the chiropractic care was the best thing i ever did and i wish i hadn't spent $7k out of pocket on surgeries trying to fix a problem that a few adjustments with the chiropractor could have completely fixed.

Laurie in Virginia Beach, Virginia said: i had a sledding injury 30 years ago in college and broke my tailbone. i didn't really notice any problems after the healing until about 2 years ago when i went on a 15 mile bike ride and injured the tailbone again. at that point i started haveing some stress incontinence whenever i would jump, dance or run. i went to a doctor who suggested i have a tape surgery done. long story short, it made the incontinence much, much worse so i had the procedure reversed, but to no avail...still bad incontinence. a friend suggested i go to a chiropractor because the nerves in the spine affect all the areas and organs of our body. so, i did. found one of the only chriropractors in virginia who does the tailbone adjustment procedure and i immediately had success. the tailbone still wants to go back to the old way, so i have to be very careful in my activities in order to allow healing so the tailbone will stay put, but the chiropractic care was the best thing i ever did and i wish i hadn't spent $7k out of pocket on surgeries trying to fix a problem that a few adjustments with the chiropractor could have completely fixed.

Laurie,
Can you please let me know the chiropractor in Virginia that did this? I live in Virginia and looking for one.

light force ocean chriopractic, 210 25th st., vb, va they are on fb, pat and mike mclean

laurie in Virginia Beach, Virginia said: light force ocean chriopractic, 210 25th st., vb, va they are on fb, pat and mike mclean

Laurie,
Did he do internal adjustment? I am seeing a chiropractor in Richmond, VA. He did do some alignment on sacrum and pelvis. He did not do anything with coccyx. So I am fine for 2,3 days afteradjustments. Then I get the pain back. Would you recommend Dr.Mclean?

Allegra in Lincoln, California said: I forgot to check back and report my update. I found a great chiropractor in Auburn, CA named Dr. Greenlee. He was amazing and not only adjusted the Sacrum and internal tailbone alignment, but aligned everything else including my spine, hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. It turns out that the Sacrum and hips had to be adjusted first before I could get my tailbone done. My pain lessened dramatically with the sacrum alignment and the #2 incontinence subsided completely with the tailbone alignment. The #1 incontinence was dramatically reduced and has improved further with the physical therapy exercises I was given through Mercy's Rehabilitation center. They target the pelvic floor, so I now have a lot of great abdominal exercises that don't put pressure on my neck or other injured areas but still strengthen that specific area. A key to the tailbone only needing a couple of adjustments is that he spent time releasing the muscles surrounding the area first (internally) - it was the most paiful part of the procedure, which is saying something because my tailbone was off directly to one side and twisted a bit. By digging into the knot next to the tailbone first until it released, he had to do fewer adjustments with a greater success and I was able to progress more rapidly. The adjustments in conjunction with physical therapy exercises to strengthen the weakened areas and support the new alignments have worked together extremely well and the severe pain and horrible discomfort (and embarrassment) have subsided into a bad dream from my past. I tend to look at all that still needs done, but you've helped me remember to look at how far I've come. Thank you. :)

Hi,
Did you do chiropractor consultation and physiotherapy at the same time or did you do chiropractor first?

A couple of weeks go I was in Whistler and fell off a cliff and hit 5 trees, Luckily I was not severely injured but I damaged my back and tail bone. The pain was on and off but just recently I had trouble sitting for too long. I got a profesionnal massage done and it was very painful, I have to do exercices 10-15 times a day to get my strenght back and my tail bone still needs to be looked at later on this week. I am worried about what will happen but worst comes to worse, if it is bent It will need to be alligned. I have been snowboarding for 5 years and never though this would happen, I could of easily died. I am happy to be alive but now have to deal with the aftermath, physical and mental pain

I havent done any xrays yet of my back but I am thinking of doing it just to be safe

SaiRichnmond in Richmond, Virginia said: Hi,
Did you do chiropractor consultation and physiotherapy at the same time or did you do chiropractor first?

I did a couple rounds of physical therapy first, plus a bunch of other things - diagnostics, xrays, mris, etc. One thing I can definitely say - do not trust the first reading of your xrays and mris. Make sure they are read by a chiropractic radiologist (DACBR), as they may pick up on things that are missed otherwise. Even then, he didn't pick up on the tailbone, which was at a 90 degree angle. I mean, how do you miss that? Try to get a radiologist who has a great reputation for thoroughness and accuracy and competence. The physical therapy was really painful and I was in more pain afterward instead of less, due to not being properly aligned - my back, neck, all my joints - shoulder was dislocated for a couple of years... I really wish I'd gone to the chiro right after the films were done. Once I was aligned, I did another stint of physical therapy and this time, I was able to start building muscle and getting fit without it hurting so bad (although rebuilding the body hurts, it was the good kind of hurt, not the bad kind where you are just doing more damage.) My chiro did sacrum adjustments several times (and hip adjustments, back, neck, all the joints, etc.) before he did the internal tailbone. He says that if the sacrum isn't adjusted properly, then the it takes a lot more tailbone adjustments to get it to stay in place. He only had to do 3 tailbone adjustments, but I am going in for another tomorrow - just to tweak it a bit. He also pressed the knot of muscles next to the tailbone (inside) in order to release them before adjusting the bone into place. The muscle release was more painful than the actual adjustment. The first tailbone alignment was the most painful. I can now sit and I don't have bowel incontinence, thanks to it.

Marie_Whistler in Ottawa, Ontario said: A couple of weeks go I was in Whistler and fell off a cliff and hit 5 trees, Luckily I was not severely injured but I damaged my back and tail bone. The pain was on and off but just recently I had trouble sitting for too long. I got a profesionnal massage done and it was very painful, I have to do exercices 10-15 times a day to get my strenght back and my tail bone still needs to be looked at later on this week. I am worried about what will happen but worst comes to worse, if it is bent It will need to be alligned. I have been snowboarding for 5 years and never though this would happen, I could of easily died. I am happy to be alive but now have to deal with the aftermath, physical and mental pain

I havent done any xrays yet of my back but I am thinking of doing it just to be safe

I would definitely get xrays, if I were you. Best to know what you're dealing with.