My coccyx treatment experience with Dr. Durtnall

Debora, London, UK - debora.bellintani@gmail.com

Posted 2014-06-08

I started suffering from coccyx pain in mid-March, after an extremely difficult time in my life, following the passing of my toddler daughter and a second miscarriage.

On top of that, sitting down was starting to become a problem... My GP really tried to help and, after my second visit, recommended I did some physio. I already had some not great experience with NHS physio, but decided to give it a go just out of curiosity. At the same time I found this site and made an appointment with Dr. Michael Durtnall from Sayers Clinic (see Doctors and specialists in the UK, London), as the pain was really impacting the quality of my daily life and I needed to act quickly.

Well, I am so glad I did! I deeply respect the NHS, but within this area it cannot compare to the specialist care and to the experience and knowledge of Dr. Durtnall; it's like going on 2 different planets.

Starting from session 1, I knew I was in the right place, with the right people. Dr. Durtnall is extremely confident, competent and professional. He X-rayed me straight away and found out my coccyx was slightly out of position and had some calcification probably due to a number of factors, including leading a sedentary life. He has a holistic approach through which he's not only treating my coccyx pain, but at the same time, he's helping me to regain my general well-being. We have been working on my posture, on some specific exercises, and every single session is really customised around my specific situation and needs.

Today, after 4 sessions, I can say that the coccyx feels 50% better and I'm very optimistic for the future as Michael says it will go back to 100%.

I am combining his treatment to remedial massage sessions with Olga, at the same clinic, and I think they are both really helping me to feel better and giving me the education I need in order to make myself feel better by improving my posture.

Many thanks again Jon, what you're doing is improving real lives!! I will get back to you with updates.

Best wishes,

Debora

Update, 2026-01-25

I'm writing this update almost 12 years after my tail bone troubles started and I am very pleased to report that the therapy as described above has been long lasting in my case. I completed my sessions with Dr. Durtnall after a couple of months and then continued with therapeutic massages for approximately another six months. The massages were very specific to address the extreme tension I had around my right sacro-iliac joint.

After that I can say that I managed to have two more pregnancies with natural deliveries and I managed to go back to an office job four years ago.

My coccyx remains a weaker point in the body and occasionally a flight or a long drive can trigger some discomfort, but if I rest and avoid soft seats, I recover quickly without needing any additional intervention. At work I use a C-shaped supportive pillow to minimise pressure on the area and it has been enough for me. I try to keep as active as I can and when I feel tension building go to a good therapist for massages and tips on what kind of exercises, stretching in particular, I should be doing.

All of these factors combined have been a great way to deal with that mysterious pain that started with the biggest grief in my life.

I sincerely hope this is helpful to whoever reads me. All the best.