The tailbone (coccyx) is the last part of the spinal column. It is a remnant of a rudimentary tail-like protrusion that is present in a fetus at about the 4th week of development. The coccyx is made up of between 4 to 5 underdeveloped vertebral bones. The uppermost coccygeal vertebra fuses with the sacrum while the lower 3 to 4 bones fuse together. The joint between the sacrum and coccyx is almost immobile joint (synchondrosis). The coccyx, like the lower half of the sacrum, bears no weight when standing. Instead weight is transferred to it while sitting, particularly when sitting backwards. Pain emanating from this bone or the sacrococcygeal joint is known as coccydynia.
Period pain is frequent occurrence for more than half of all girls and women in their menstruating years. It typically occurs for 1 to 2 days at the start of the period or sometimes just before the onset of menstruation. Period pain is a result of cramps in the uterus hence it is also known as menstrual cramps. The medical term for period pain is dysmenorrhea. Most women who do experience pain, have only mild pain but in a minority of cases, it can be severe. The pain can be debilitating and affect a woman’s ability to continue with daily activities and even lead to depression.
Stomach cramps or cramping abdominal pain can be due to a vast number of causes, some easily manageable while others may be life threatening, requiring immediate medical attention. Often stomach cramps are mistaken for menstrual cramps in women and vice versa. This can hamper the diagnosis of other conditions responsible for the pain and cramping or even cause women to prevent seeking medical attention by attributing their abdominal cramps to menstrual pain.
A larger bust is often portrayed as key to feminine beauty and an indication of a woman’s appeal to the opposite sex. In the search for larger breasts, many women undergo breast augmentation, opting for implants rather than accepting their natural form. breast enlargement creams, push up bras and even vibration belts for the breast continue to sell globally as less ‘well endowed’ women grasp onto the hope that one of these methods will be the answer. However breast size can significantly impact on the spine, hip and major muscles and nerves of the body and this should always be taken into consideration before opting for breast augmentation.
Large breasts usually cause a significant shift in the center of gravity resulting in a number of effects on the body’s musculoskeletal system. The additional weight extending beyond the center will add up to 10 times its weight in pressure on the spinal column due to the action of gravity. Over time, this can affect the spine and cause long term back problems, initially experienced as back pain. Over time, the altered gait and posture may complicate to other spinal complications and nerve problems like a ‘pinched nerve’ or ‘bulging disc’ (herniation).
