Tail Bone/Sciatica/Pelvic Floor Pain

Redpuma119

It looks like a lot of us have (or have had) this issue. Here is a one stop for all of your lower body pain questions. If you have experience with one of these, or insight, please share. We are obviously not drs, so please call yours to find out!

Redpuma119

Sacraltuberous Ligament issues.

How to know if this is you- tail bone, lower back or pelvic floor pain. Doughnuts and physio balls only exacerbate the pain. For some people, constipation. There is also pressure when walking at an incline, or pressure if you put your hands under your body and lift yourself up with them. Doing a Kegel will also hurt.

The sacraltuberous ligaments run along both sides of the tailbone, or coccyx. They essentially connect your upper body to your lower body. The upper part of the ligament connects to the muscles in the lower back, while the bottom of the ligament connects to the hamstrings. (As anyone knows, a long run can cause pain in the lower back- because tight hamstrings will cause pressure on the low back muscles and the knees.) When the sacraltuberous ligament is injured, it can wreak havoc. It can twist the pelvis, giving your entire body an imbalance. It can also cause you to become impacted. It happened to me  A strained STL can cause sciatica as well. It has also been shown to inhibit a smooth labor because the pelvis isnt in proper alignment.

Treatment- See your dr. They can recommend a good chiropractor, PT, or massage therapist. (I work with all 3, plus a personal trainer) If those are unsuccessful with treating the problem, they will do X-rays to rule out impaction. Sounds gross, but if you or someone else can push on the inside of your butt crack, kindve pushing onto a diagonal towards your outer buttcheek, you will be able to tell if this is where the pain is. (Google) Some good stretches are ones that you would do for your abductors, or hips. So, figure 4 stretches, cat/cow, down dog.  Squats and kegels  should be avoided until it has been resolved, but afterwords, core work along with pelvic floor work, can help strengthen the trunk of your body and help prevent it from happening again. (And before anyone freaks  out about core work during pregnancy, your core is sooo much more than your stomach.)

Google images of this and you will see massage technique and well as stretches, maybe it will help you figure out if that’s what you have. I had this a while back and let it go for a while. Towards the end, I had never experienced such excruciating pain. It’s not worth it.

edit because words

Redpuma119

SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction)
This is also known as pelvic girdle pain. I don’t know as much about this- so if anyone else has insight, let us know!

Symptoms- pain in the front side of the pelvis or pain in the are between the vagina and anus. (Perineum) Sometimes this can be described as lightening crotch- but not all lightening crotch is this. Incontinence, pain when rolling over, sciatica.

Basically, SPD is a gap in the pelvis that increases during pregnancy because of relaxin. 

Treatment- see a dr. A lot of this is postural, so sittting up straight helps. Pillows, doughnuts, and physio balls help. Be mindful of inner thighs- shouldn’t focus of inner thigh work or stretch too much. When getting in or out of bed, or into a car, try keeping legs together- avoid the opening/stretching. Also, sleep on left side with a pillow between the legs. 

magnolia209

@Redpuma119 Thank you so much for this and for starting the thread! The sacraltuberous ligament issues does sound like it could be what is going on with me. But I’m in the early stages. It’s so scary that this can make vaginal delivery harder. I thought it was just a pulled muscle, but this makes a lot more sense! I’ll talk with the Dr. and ask for a chiropractor referral. It can’t hurt to see a chiropractor either way. 

Redpuma119

Also-

Heels- heels cause pressure on the pelvic floor, so avoid them if you’re experiencing any pain.
Crossing legs- Try not to cross legs, or at best, just alternate.
Bags and purses- Alternate carrying side for bags, purses and kids. Helps balance out pressure.
Pain in ribs- watch for pain in your intercostal muscles (muscles in between ribs) These are directly tied to the pelvic floor and can be a sign that something is wrong. Can be confused with heartburn sometimes.
Breathing- Sit up straight and breath deeply. Don’t let your ribs expand, but more think of breathing down towards your pelvis. Your diaphragm works like the piston of an engine. (Another good thing to google) Breathing properly can help with pelvic floor issues.

[Deleted User]

@AdmiralKitty knows allll about SPD... :/

pourmeanothermocktail

SPD: This is caused by excess looseness in the ligament that literally holds the front of your pelvis together. Some of the most important points are to try not to weight bear with your legs spread further than hips distance apart. If a doctor or PT confirms an excess tightness in other muscles that is contributing to this, then they can show you stretches to help-but for many people it's a chemical reaction or physical injury that causes this-nothing you can much do. Supportive maternity belts are a plus. Narrow squats can help strengthen the support muscles, which can help. Some yoga can help, but pretty much any position with feet spread involves a very tight control of muscles in hips and thighs to maintain correct positioning to not make it worse.

Avoid: running, skipping stairs on your way up/down, bike riding, horseback riding (trust me on that), and on a very personal note-be careful with sex-pushing too deeply in a way that spreads legs will cause more pain later.

Some people have luck with a chiropractor-personally it wasn't my thing-loosening up joints made it worse. I wish I could see a pelvic PT, because they could likely help, but know that the overwhelming majority of women fully recover by 2-6 weeks after birth. 

If you don't-it'll probably be months of strengthening to stabilize, and know it will be worse with subsequent pregnancies.

Eventually, when I'm done having kids, I need to be evaluated for surgery. But, I am SO not the typical case. 

samd6

I feel like I might be experiencing SPD as I read more about it but I only have pain on my right side, is that possible? 

pourmeanothermocktail

samd6 said:

I feel like I might be experiencing SPD as I read more about it but I only have pain on my right side, is that possible? 

Lol, nothing is impossible. Where on your right side is pain? Not that I can diagnose, but I can offer opinions. 

stothi

@Redpuma119 thank you for starting this thread. This has been really helpful to have an idea of what/how to discuss my pain with my midwife. Googling "pain all up in my business," wasn't giving me terribly helpful information for some reason.

jhjocelyn

I have something that still doesn’t line up w what I’m reading here... I wonder of it’s just general tailbone issues. I can lay down just fine, but once I am on my back, to get up the right side of my tailbone flares in excruciating pain. It doesn’t seem to matter how I try to turn my hips, or lift one leg over, using my legs/hips at all just hurts. Other movements can cause the flares too but are harder to pinpoint and describe. Walking doesn’t usually bother it u less I do alot and then it will just ache not flare and not really get worse than achey. So far it hasn’t really become an issue, but I’m a little scared of labor/birth of it doesn’t resolve...

Redpuma119

@jhjocelyn are you waddling? (I know that’s a dumb question right now.) but more so than usual? Regardless, call your OB! 

Redpuma119

@stothi But your description nails it!

jhjocelyn

@Redpuma119
not really? When this started a while ago it just felt like my tailbone was just crooked. Pretty sure I fell on it and damaged it in high school, but I had no issues while pregnant or birthing dd. 

I did talk to my OB who is a DO and does manipulation, she gave me some stretches, but it doesn’t feel muscular to me. Then again, I have also not tried them.... ssooo maybe I should have done that before complaining here... 

adirat

This is a really helpful thread @redpuma119 thanks!

I've started getting tailbone pain from sitting in my desk chair. I ended up working standing up for about an hour today, which wasn't great either since my desk isn't designed for that (so it was kind of hunchy to look at the screen). I'd be too embarrassed to get like a hemorrhoid pillow for my desk chair...other ideas? 

stothi

@adirat does anyone else use your chair? If not, I'd get whatever pillow and then drape a decorative throw over your chair and cushion.

samd6

@pourmeamocktail the pain is mostly in my hip & groin area. I called my doc today and she wants to do a pelvic exam to make sure things are going OK and that the pain is just that, pain. 

Redpuma119

@jhjocelyn I wonder if it’s your coccyx.. like a fall bruised it maybe. Let us know what you find out from your Dr! Hope you can find some relief!

Redpuma119

@adirat check out The Purple Pillow online. They’re amazing. 

I cant even describe how amazing it feels. My coworker had one in a black pillow case and I hadn’t ever noticed it until I was complaining about my tailbone. Seriously- no words.

magnolia209

@Redpuma119 I want that pillow!!! I’m flying tomorrow and I’m so bummed (haha bum:) that I don’t have it! 

@adirat I was also totally embarrassed to get the donut pillow for work, but it seriously helped with the low back/upper butt pain I had around week 15 and I’m so glad I got it. Of course, now I’m having a different issue and it’s not helping at all! But I recommend trying it. We just can’t take all this pressure on our poor bums (and backs and pelvic floors etc!). But that purple pillow looks awesome and less embarrassing. 

spottedginger

@adirat you can get a black exercise ball and see if that helps. Those are recommended in third tri for alignment anyways. Last pregnancy I spent at least half the day on my exercise ball at my desk and had another for home watching tv that I took to the hospital for labor.  I didn’t have tail bone pain last time but do this time, so I’m not sure if the ball will help or hurt. 
Eta: I guess the color doesn’t matter for the purpose except that my office is conservative and I didn’t want to have a neon colored monstrosity. 

[Deleted User]

I have been enjoying crazy tailbone pain after laying flat on my back for all my extended scans, like the AS, and echo... Reason No. 462 why I don't want to be confined to a bed for L&D.  Most of the time, it's fine.  And when I'm sleeping, I can obviously shift positions as often as I need to, so my spine / tailbone / hips don't get stuck.  It even hurt when I had to get up from my first prenatal massage!...  :s 

*typo

nlc8424

@spottedginger I second the exercise ball instead of a chair. People thought I was nuts but it helped my hip and lower back pain a lot to sit on one of those.

Redpuma119

The physio ball will actually help determine what the issue is. If its your STL, the ball will HURT when you sit on it, since it increases the twist/strain as your body compensates. If its SPD, or another issue, it will relieve the pressure. Just make sure someone is there when you test it out. I brought a huge ball into work, sat down, tail bone said "NOPE!" and I rolled off the ball and onto the floor.

samd6

Last night I used a heating pad on my hip for about 15-20 minutes and then slept with a different pillow between my legs (more firm, and thicker) and also slept on my right side (with the ouchie side on the bed) I woke up this morning and still have a little pain BUT I can walk normal and balance on one leg. I’m still going to see the doctor but I feel much less nervous about the “what ifs”

nackie

I just had my first chiropractic appointment. Based on the amount of stuff he did to my back, there were a lot of reasons for my pain. He wants to see me again this weekend. That seems quick, but I’m hoping this leads to some pain relief. 

pourmeanothermocktail

@samd6 A check over isn't a bad idea. My spd pain is definitely both sides, but one is so much worse! Good luck!

adirat

Thanks all! I have an exercise ball at home so I'll try it out. @redpuma119 thanks for the pillow recommendation. 

I also looked up some stretches to try out that are supposed to help so we shall see...

@businesswife I've been thinking about getting a prenatal massage and you are making me think I should go for it....

[Deleted User]

Yeah @adirat I say go for it!  I had one at 20 weeks, so I'm trying to decide if I will go for it at 28, or wait till 30?  But by 32 latest, I'm going to go again.  I'd like to be able to go a few more times before delivery.

I will say too, that while I wasn't that big yet at 20 weeks, I think by now, it will likely be more satisfying if you can find a place with a table that has the belly hole cut out.  The place I went, the pracritioner was great and all, but what I really wanted was to lay on my front and get the kind of backrub I'm used to, and without that cutiut, you'll be on your back as much as you're comfortable, propped up, and flipping sides etc.

adirat

@businesswife Good call. There's a massage therapist near us that I went to twice before my FETs but I'm not sure if she has that.

Car0liiine

Got PT appointment scheduled for my butt/hip whatever, so that will be next Thursday and I can't wait! Crappy thing is that a referral was made to the same place months ago for pelvic floor PT, but the scheduler told me they are just now getting to people who have been on the waiting list since January/February. Dude. I neeeed to make sure my vajayjay isn't locked shut like a damn bear trap preventing the baby from getting out like last time! Apparently the therapist I saw for PF issues previously no longer does PF and has switched over to the ortho side of things, so I am seeing her for my PITA and am hoping i can convince her to give my hoohoo a quick check to see if I'm in bad shape and need to find somewhere else to get pelvic floor PT.

Car0liiine

Oh, just wanted to add that when I saw my OB about the hip pain she didn't want me to try a chiropractor unless the muscle relaxers and PT didn't work. She said prenatal massage would be okay though.

samd6

I also bit the bullet and bought some “sensible” shoes for work today. I ended up getting dansko clogs since I work retail and am on my feet 9+ hours a day. They are ugly AF but my god are they comfy. I had no back pain at the end of my shift today. Here’s to hoping my uterus isn’t falling out and I’ve just been real shitty to my body by working long hours in vans

adirat

I went for a prenatal massage this morning and talked to the massage therapist about my back pain and tailbone pain. She identified that my hips are slightly out of alignment, most likely because the baby is hunched up on one side (which I had sort of assumed because of where he's been kicking). 

I loved the massage but I don't think the baby did...he kept wriggling around during the back massage portion and when I flipped over onto my back for the last few minutes, he moved from being on one side toward the middle. Hopefully that helps my pain too!

[Deleted User]

Oh wow! @adirat. That sounds like they were really doing something there!  Hopefully baby was like jeez, ma!  Can a kid just hang out all scrunched up in here if I wanna???  And you and the massage therapist are just like, ah, ya but no.  Not really.  But we promise you'll actually be more comfy this way!!! ;)  I have my first real prenatal yoga class tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will help with positioning, too, as we get closer to delivery...

rachel1008

My supervisor said no exercise ball because I might fall off. So I asked for a sensory deprivation tank. No response yet.  

BostonBaby1

*Mayo Clinic copy & paste

Meralgia paresthetica

Is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in your outer thigh.

• Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh
• Burning pain on the surface of the outer part of your thigh

These symptoms commonly occur on one side of your body and might intensify after walking or standing.

Treatment (for me) was:

- Support belt *I highly recommend the Baby Bella Band by Cabea for any pain or even preventative. Huge help for SPD and low back pain.

-Lidocaine patches 

- Nerve block under guided ultrasound.

Redpuma119

@businesswife You might have posted this elsewhere, but I was out of town, but how as your yoga class?

Redpuma119

@rachel1008 Have you seen the bases for the balls? They're what they "sit" in when not in use. They also have chairs that you can put them into. My only issue with the chair set up is that I feel so low to the ground, and the one that I had couldn't be adjusted. So I felt like I was reaching up to my computer all day.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for keeping me accountable!!! @Redpuma119. ❤❤❤

Well, I'm a bum.  I actually didn't make it, mostly bc DH and I were out running around together and totally lost track of time. :/  but the next one in the series is June 17th, so I am bound and determined to make it to that one!!!  :D. I really wish I had been tho, bc now I have a new pain in my left calf, which I'm sure would have benefited from it.

Redpuma119

@businesswife haha I am just a follower, so I needed to see if you liked it before I went to one!