Coccydynia

Pain in the Tailbone

Coccydynia is a condition commonly known as tailbone pain. It results from trauma or irritation of the coccyx (tailbone), a boney structure found at the bottom of the spine. Tailbone pain may start after a backward fall, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, joint degeneration, pregnancy, and vaginal childbirth.

While tailbone pain usually improves on its own, sometimes it may go undiagnosed and persist for several months or longer. A pain specialist can diagnose tailbone pain and provide treatments that bring you much needed relief.

What is the Tailbone?

The coccyx (tailbone) is the ending of the spinal column. It contains several bone segments that are fused and it attaches, through a joint, to the large sacral bone above. Because it corresponds to the location of an animal’s tail, the coccyx is called the “tailbone." 

• The coccyx is an important attachment site for tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the pelvis. It bears the body’s weight and acts as a shock absorber when a person sits.
• Its position under the skin, leveled with the cleft of the buttocks, makes the tailbone likely to get bruised or fractured.
• Some people have a coccyx that curves too far instead of pointing straight down, predisposing them to injuries and pain.

What Causes Tailbone Pain?

In most cases, tailbone pain starts after a trauma and is not a sign of a threatening condition.

Tailbone pain is caused by:

• Falls. Tailbone pain may start with a fall where a person lands on the buttocks, bruising, breaking, or dislocating (shifting out of place) the tailbone.
• Repetitive Strain. Sports like bicycling and rowing require back and forth movements that stretch the ligaments and tendons attached to the tailbone.
• Pregnancy and childbirth. Pregnancy hormones soften the pelvic tissues, causing the tailbone to shift. Constipation, the weight of the growing baby, and vaginal birth can push against the tailbone, causing pain.
• Obesity or excessive weight loss. Excess weight puts pressure on the coccyx, changing its position. Conversely, an underweight person, does not have enough fat in their buttocks to prevent the tailbone from rubbing against surrounding tissues. This creates inflammation and pain.
• Sitting too much. Sitting on a hard and narrow surface puts pressure on the tailbone.
• Cancer. In rare cases, the tailbone may develop cancer.

80% of adults will experience back pain in their lifetime. Take the FREE back pain risk assessment to understand your risk factors, and aid in preventing complications in the future.