Osteopathic Manual Therapy Versus Ganglion Impar Block for Chronic Coccygodynia

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two treatment methods for chronic coccygodynia (tailbone pain) in adults. The study aims to determine which treatment provides better pain relief and functional improvement. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does osteopathic manual therapy reduce pain and disability in people with chronic coccygodynia? Does ganglion impar block reduce pain and disability in people with chronic coccygodynia? Which treatment provides more sustained improvement during follow-up? Researchers will compare osteopathic manual therapy with ganglion impar block to evaluate their effects on pain, function, quality of life, and patient satisfaction. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Receive either osteopathic manual therapy or ganglion impar block. Complete pain, disability, neuropathic pain, and quality-of-life assessments before treatment and during follow-up visits. Attend follow-up evaluations at 3 weeks and 3 months after treatment.

Chronic coccygodynia is persistent pain in the tailbone region that can significantly affect daily activities and quality of life. Common treatments include physical therapy, manual therapy techniques, injections, and surgical procedures. However, evidence directly comparing osteopathic manual therapy and ganglion impar block remains limited. This prospective randomized controlled trial will compare the effectiveness of osteopathic manual therapy and ganglion impar block in adults with chronic coccygodynia lasting at least three months and not responding adequately to conservative treatment. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The osteopathic manual therapy group will receive a structured treatment program including manual mobilization and soft tissue techniques. The ganglion impar block group will receive a fluoroscopy-guided ganglion impar injection. Outcomes will be assessed using pain intensity, disability, neuropathic pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction measures. Evaluations will be performed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months after treatment. The primary objective is to compare changes in pain and disability between the two treatment groups. Secondary objectives include comparison of neuropathic pain symptoms, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.