Tailbone Pain Can Make Sitting, Driving, and Daily Life Uncomfortable

There is a certain difficulty to everyday tasks when one has tailbone pain, or coccydynia. Sitting at work, rising from the bed, even just leaning back in a chair can become trying. While it often follows an injury such as a fall or is a consequence of childbirth, there are times it will develop with no obvious cause.

The tailbone is the lowest part of the spine and what bears your weight when you sit or recline. An irritation or injury to that small region is felt all the more acutely since any movement tends to put pressure on it.

Understanding the symptoms and what might be behind them is useful in determining whether home care will suffice or if a trip to the doctor is in order. For the most part, treatment is a matter of easing the pressure and letting the inflammation subside. Should the pain persist or have a habit of returning, a specialist can pinpoint the source and advise on how best to proceed.

Key Facts to Know About Tailbone Pain

What You Should Know

• Tailbone pain is called coccydynia, which means pain in the coccyx, or tailbone.
• Common causes include falls, direct impact, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, and childbirth.
• Pain is often worst when sitting, leaning back, or moving from sitting to standing.
• Symptoms may improve with activity changes, cushions, heat or ice, and anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate.
• Persistent pain may be related to joint inflammation, abnormal movement of the tailbone, or less commonly, another underlying condition.
• Evaluation may include a physical exam and imaging if symptoms don’t improve or if the cause isn’t clear.
• Treatment can include physical therapy, medication, activity modification, and in select cases, injections or surgery.
• You should seek medical care if pain is severe, lasts for weeks, or is accompanied by fever, numbness, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes.

What Is the Tailbone?

At the base of the spine is the coccyx, a small triangular bone more commonly known as the tailbone. Composed of a number of tiny segments, it is positioned directly under the sacrum, the wide bone that lies between the hips.

Do not let its size fool you; the tailbone is put to good use. It acts as an anchor for the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor, among other things, and is there to take some of the weight when one is seated and leaning back.

This is also what makes it so sensitive. The area is subject to pressure in the sitting position, so even a little bit of irritation can be enough to put a crimp in your day. For that reason, pain in the tailbone has a way of interfering with sleep, exercise and travel, not to mention work.

What Does Tailbone Pain Feel Like?

Tailbone pain usually feels like a deep ache or sharp soreness at the very bottom of the spine. Many people notice it most when sitting on a hard chair, leaning backward, or standing up after sitting for a while.

• Pain centered at the tailbone
• Worse discomfort with sitting or rising from a chair
• Tenderness when touching the area
• Pain during bowel movements or sexual activity in some cases
• More discomfort with long drives or prolonged sitting

Some people feel pain most of the time, while others notice it mainly with pressure or in certain positions. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to more severe pain that disrupts daily routines.

Common Causes of Tailbone Pain

There are few more common causes of tailbone pain than a direct injury. A hard fall on ice, or even an awkward landing in a seated position, is enough to bruise the area and put a strain on the tissues around it.

Then there is the matter of childbirth, which can place its own pressure on the coccyx and adjacent ligaments. And for some, the symptoms may be set off by the cumulative effect of sitting too long on a surface that is hard or too narrow.

• Falls or direct trauma
• Childbirth
• Prolonged sitting
• Inflammation of the tailbone joint or nearby soft tissue
• Abnormal motion of the coccyx
• Less commonly, infection or tumor

When Tailbone Pain Happens Without a Clear Injury

For some, coccydynia is not the result of any one particular incident or accident. The pain may be more insidious in nature, developing gradually as the tailbone endures its share of pressure.

One might put undue strain on the coccyx through body mechanics and posture, or by way of irritation to the soft tissue and adjacent joints. That is why a thorough examination is called for if the symptoms are not abating as they should.

Ways to Relieve Tailbone Pain at Home

There are simple measures one can take to put less strain on the coccyx and soothe any irritation, and for many it is an effective way to find relief. The objective is to let the area have some respite by steering clear of postures that would only aggravate it. In terms of comfort, such minor adjustments can be all it takes to make a world of difference.

• Use a cushion made to offload direct pressure from the coccyx, such as a coccyx-relief cushion or a wedge cushion with a rear cut-out
• Lean forward slightly when sitting if that feels more comfortable
• Avoid sitting for long stretches without standing up and moving around
• Try ice or heat, depending on which feels better for your symptoms
• Use anti-inflammatory medication only if it is appropriate for you and recommended by your doctor

These steps are often enough for mild cases, especially soon after an injury. If pain does not clearly improve, it is best to get evaluated rather than pushing through discomfort.

Medical Treatment for Lasting Tailbone Pain

If symptoms continue, treatment may go beyond home care. The best option depends on the cause of your pain, how long symptoms have been going on, and how much it affects daily function.

• Physical therapy to improve posture, sitting mechanics, and surrounding muscle tension
• Medication for pain and inflammation when appropriate
• Targeted injections in select cases when pain remains significant
• Surgery in rare cases when symptoms are severe, persistent, and caused by a problem unlikely to improve with other care

Most people do not need surgery. Conservative treatment is usually tried first, and many patients improve once pressure and inflammation are addressed.

What Recovery May Look Like

Recovery depends on the cause of the pain and how long symptoms have been present. A bruise or mild strain may improve with time and pressure relief, while ongoing irritation can take longer and may need more structured treatment.

Getting Help for Tailbone Pain

There is no reason to let tailbone pain get in the way of your day to day routine; have it looked at. We will put you through an examination to see if the source of the discomfort is the coccyx or some other adjacent structure, and from there can point you in the direction of treatments that will ease your symptoms and make sitting and moving about more comfortable.

For a proper diagnosis and a plan of action suited to your case, we recommend making an appointment for an exam should you be dealing with any lingering pain at the base of the spine.

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This blog post is meant to be informative and should not act as a self-diagnosis tool. If you’d like to see one of our doctors, please contact us here.