The difference the right support can make
Pain may start to ease, and sitting can begin to feel less like something you have to plan around. A long drive, a full day at your desk or a meal out may become easier to sit through without constantly shifting in your seat.
Over time, this may help you get back to more of your usual routine and give your tailbone less say in what you can and cannot do. Coccyx pain can take a real toll on quality of life, and pain that lingers can become harder to settle. If it has not eased after a few weeks, it is worth having it checked.
Common causes of coccyx pain
Coccyx pain, also called coccydynia, can develop for several different reasons. For some people it follows a clear event such as a fall or childbirth, while for others it builds gradually with no obvious starting point. Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms helps guide the most appropriate next step.
A fall or direct injury
Landing heavily on your tailbone can bruise or injure the coccyx and the structures around it. Pain often starts straight away, though it can continue well after the initial injury has healed.
Childbirth and pregnancy
The coccyx and its surrounding ligaments come under considerable pressure during pregnancy and delivery. Symptoms may appear in the later stages of pregnancy or in the weeks following birth.
Prolonged sitting and pressure
Sitting for long periods, particularly on hard or narrow seats, places constant pressure through the tailbone. Slouching or leaning back shifts more weight onto the coccyx and can make symptoms worse.
Repetitive activity and sport
Activities such as cycling and rowing repeatedly load the tailbone and the muscles attaching around it. Symptoms often build gradually rather than starting with one particular session.
Joint and ligament irritation
The coccyx has only a small amount of natural movement, and coccygeal mobility that is either too stiff or too loose can become a source of pain. This is often what keeps symptoms going after the original cause has settled.
Pelvic floor muscle tension
The pelvic floor muscles attach directly to the coccyx, so tension in these muscles can pull on the tailbone. This can develop on its own or alongside another cause.
Coccyx pain with no clear trigger
Some people develop coccygeal pain without any fall, injury or obvious starting point. This is more common than people expect and does not mean something serious is going on.
Other contributing factors
Posture, body weight, general health and the demands of your work can all influence how coccyx pain is experienced. In some cases, medical review may be more appropriate than physiotherapy.
Your guide to coccyx pain
Everything you need to know, from symptoms and causes to treatment.
Your coccyx, commonly known as the tailbone, plays a crucial role in your body, despite its small size. Located at the bottom of your spine, it serves as an anchor for various muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and plays a vital role in supporting your weight when sitting, especially in a leaning back position.
Your coccyx also assists in many functions of the pelvic floor, including bowel movement control and childbirth. Its unique structure and placement make it an integral part of your body’s overall stability and function, balancing the demands of support, movement, and control.
Coccyx pain, or coccydynia, manifests in several ways.
- Sharp or aching pain at the base of the spine, made worse when sitting or moving from sitting to standing
- Increased pain intensity with long periods of sitting, engaging in physical activity, or applying pressure to the tailbone area
- Possible dull, throbbing pain radiating to the hips and thighs
- IMuscle tension around the coccyx area
- Discomfort during bowel movements or sexual intercourse
- Sensitivity or tenderness in the coccyx area, potentially indicating inflammation or trauma
Preventing coccyx pain involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and ergonomic practices. Look at incorporating some of the following:
- Optimise sitting posture and choose chairs with good lumbar support to prevent poor posture
- Use a coccyx cushion for added tailbone pressure relief
- Engage in regular exercise to strengthen core and pelvic floor muscles
- Avoid prolonged periods of sitting; take frequent breaks to stand and stretch
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on the coccyx
- When participating in physical activities, use proper technique and equipment to prevent tailbone impact
- Seek coccyx pain treatment early to ensure the issue is addressed early on
Sometimes coccyx pain can go away on its own, but if you’ve had discomfort for more than a few weeks, or if it’s interfering with your daily activities, it’s probably time to see a physio for coccyx pain. This is especially the case if your pain is accompanied by symptoms like swelling, bruising, or pain during bowel movements or sexual activity.
Our physios can assess the severity of your condition and tailor a treatment plan that might include exercises, manual therapy, and pain management. Early intervention can not only alleviate immediate pain but also prevent chronic issues and improve your overall spinal health.
Our approach to coccyx pain physiotherapy
Physio for tailbone pain starts with working out what is contributing to your symptoms. We assess the coccyx and the structures around it, then build a treatment plan around the findings and explain clearly what is happening.
Detailed coccyx assessment
Your first appointment includes a review of your symptoms, your medical history and how your pain began. We assess coccygeal mobility, the muscles and ligaments attaching around the tailbone, and how your pelvis and lower back are moving.
Treatment matched to your presentation
Treatment is selected according to the cause and pattern of your symptoms. This can include manual therapy directed at the coccyx and surrounding structures, soft tissue work where the gluteal muscles are contributing, or dry needling where muscle tension is adding to your pain. If the pelvic floor muscles require assessment and treatment we’ll refer you to a pelvic floor physio.
Strengthening and movement through the pelvis
Exercise is used to improve how the pelvis and lower back share load, which reduces the demand on the coccyx itself. Your program starts at a level you can manage and progresses as your symptoms improve.
Home strategies and ongoing review
You will receive a clear home exercise program to continue between appointments, along with practical advice for managing your symptoms day to day. We will review how you are responding and update the plan as needed.
A typical session includes an assessment of your condition, followed by treatment such as manual therapy, tailored exercises, and advice for managing pain at home. Treatment for coccyx pain may also provide ergonomic advice and posture correction techniques.
Improvement time varies but many people start to feel better within a few weeks of consistent treatment. The total duration depends on the severity and cause of the pain, as well as how closely you stick to your therapy and exercises!
Yes, exercises like pelvic floor strengthening, gentle stretching, and core stability exercises can be beneficial. Your physio for tailbone pain will provide specific exercises suited to your condition.
