Back pain in women may be due to their coccyx says the Huffington Post. Here’s what your doctor may be missing. Coccydynia can be the cause of your lower back pain especially if you are female. Unlike males, most females have a wider pelvis which is more ideal for childbirth. Unfortunately, the coccyx is also more exposed than their male counterparts increasing the likelihood of back pain, pain while sitting and even sciatic like symptoms. After years of practice, when female patients are not improving quickly with our effective treatment regimens, we always check the coccyx. More often than not, the coccyx is either shifted to one side, or forward, and there may have been a history of falling and landing on it in the past, and it may even have been fractured at one time. Childbirth is also a common cause of disruption at the coccyx, since the pushing of the baby through the birth canal can affect its alignment. Coccydynia often shows up as strange symptoms in the lower back that are unresponsive to treatment as other back pain contributing factors are resolved. The Huffington post recently posted an internet article regarding the coccyx which mentions manipulation as a recommended treatment for the condition. From a chiropractors perspective, we wish it were that easy, since most coccygeal problems are chronic, and also involve tight surrounding ligaments as well as lower back or leg involvement after having their gait affected. The idea of trying a number of things for the condition, when the condition is straight forward makes little sense. In general, based on our experience, patients with Coccydynia respond well to Coccygeal manipulation with muscle work to the surrounding areas to improve the response to manipulation. Tight ligaments will make manipulation very uncomfortable and difficult when done in the absence of muscle work first. Evaluation of the patients gait and consideration of other possible contributing problems such as C -section scars, which now has growing evidence that is a common reason for post pregnancy back pain. Strengthening of the core muscles and spinal manipulation of the pelvis, and extremities if necessary. Often, when Coccydynia is present, so are gait abnormalities that can cause back pain including asymmetries in the feet. Unless your evaluation is thorough and considers a number causes of back pain including Coccydynia, you may not get the results you expected. Chiropractors often are your best choice for the condition as they are the most experienced at manipulation of the spine, coccyx and extremities. Check out the Huffington Post article here Pain in the Butt – Coccydynia Means Coccyx Pain 09/13/2016 03:59 pm Coccydynia refers to pain and tenderness originating from the coccyx. The coccyx is commonly referred to as the tailbone (Figure 1). It is a small curved V-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine (Figure 2). It is the final segment of the vertebral column comprising of two to four separate or fused vertebrae (lies below the sacrum). The coccyx provides an important attachment for tendons, ligaments and muscles. Most doctors are not very familiar with the coccyx or its problems. The coccyx has very little movement, excessive movement of the coccyx is abnormal. When sitting, the coccyx shifts forward and acts as a shock absorber (Figure 3). The coccyx bears more weight when the person is sitting and leaning backwards compared to when leaning forward. Read more