From time to time osteopaths are confronted with a case of coccygeal pain. A vestigial joint exists between the sacrum and the coccyx and it is at this location that strain can occur. Most commonly it exists after pregnancy after a difficult labour. However it can also occur after a fall on one's bottom.
During pregnancy the mother's body undergoes drastic changes in a very short period of time. Not only is there a sudden weight gain due to the increase of the weight of the foetus, amniotic fluid and breast tissue but there are drastic hormonal changes occurring to prepare the mother's body for the upcoming birth. Let us not ignore the emotional changes that must be taking place too and the effect on the body tissues of perhaps anxiety or depression.
As the weight changes so does the posture. There are a variety of changes that occur through the lumber spine with an initial increase in the lordosis followed by a flattening of the lumber spine as the foetus grows and pushes out the ribs.
To accommodate the changes in the lumber spine the pelvis has to change it relative position by rotating either anteriorly or posteriorly depending on the stage of the pregnancy. The result is an increased tension in the sacroiliac joints as they attempt to accommodate the changes in the spine, illium and increased weight from above. The alteration would of course not be complete without making mention of the changes that have to occur in the femoral joints.
All ligaments connected to these areas will be under significant strain and it is no surprise that the sacroiliac, ischiosaral and coxxgeal ligaments will take much of the brunt.
During labour, the head of the baby passes through the pelvis and slides along the sacrum and coccyx to make its exit. These ligaments come up against enormous pressure as the contractions of the uterus force the head of the baby up against them.
During pregnancy the mother's body undergoes drastic changes in a very short period of time. Not only is there a sudden weight gain due to the increase of the weight of the foetus, amniotic fluid and breast tissue but there are drastic hormonal changes occurring to prepare the mother's body for the upcoming birth. Let us not ignore the emotional changes that must be taking place too and the effect on the body tissues of perhaps anxiety or depression.
As the weight changes so does the posture. There are a variety of changes that occur through the lumber spine with an initial increase in the lordosis followed by a flattening of the lumber spine as the foetus grows and pushes out the ribs.
To accommodate the changes in the lumber spine the pelvis has to change it relative position by rotating either anteriorly or posteriorly depending on the stage of the pregnancy. The result is an increased tension in the sacroiliac joints as they attempt to accommodate the changes in the spine, illium and increased weight from above. The alteration would of course not be complete without making mention of the changes that have to occur in the femoral joints.
All ligaments connected to these areas will be under significant strain and it is no surprise that the sacroiliac, ischiosaral and coxxgeal ligaments will take much of the brunt.
During labour, the head of the baby passes through the pelvis and slides along the sacrum and coccyx to make its exit. These ligaments come up against enormous pressure as the contractions of the uterus force the head of the baby up against them.