Science Past from the issue of September 26, 1959

Many Americans suffer “television bottom” — Many Americans are suffering from a condition called “television bottom.” The medical term for the condition is coccygodynia, pain in the tail of the spine. It arises frequently from spending long periods of time before the television set.… Most patients habitually sit with a poor posture, with the lower portion of the back arched out instead of arched inward…. They slump in a chair and allow the middle portion of the sacrum and coccyx to press against a chair…. There is hope for these people, however. Of 100 patients, 62 were treated by massage only. This treatment was given an average of six times over a period of three to four weeks. Relief came to 50 patients, 80% of that group.

From the Nature Index

Paid Content