Low Back & Pelvis
Coccydynia
Also called: Tailbone pain
Pain at the tailbone from a fall onto the seat, childbirth, prolonged cycling/sitting, or hypermobility of the small coccygeal joints. Underestimated and undertreated — most cases respond well to pressure management plus targeted manual care of the coccyx and pelvic floor.
Common signs
- Well-localized pain at the tailbone
- Worse with sitting (especially leaning back) and standing up from sitting
- Tender to direct touch
- Sometimes pain with bowel movements or intercourse
Seek help now if
- Unexplained weight loss, night pain, or fever
- A mass or progressive numbness in the area
- Pain after significant trauma (fracture assessment)
If any of these is sudden or severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For the others, get examined before you start self-care.
What to do first
- A wedge or U-shaped cushion changes daily life immediately — sit on the thighs, not the tailbone
- Alternate sitting and standing; lean slightly forward when you must sit
- Get examined; the coccyx's position and mobility guide treatment
The longer road
- Chronic cases respond to manual therapy of the coccyx and pelvic floor muscles — often the missing piece
- Address prolonged-sitting ergonomics and any hard-saddle cycling setup
- Stubborn cases have injection options; conservative care resolves most
Natural healing options we use
- External (and where appropriate, internal) manual therapy for the coccyx region
- Chiropractic care for the sacrum and pelvis
- Pelvic floor relaxation training and breathwork
- PEMF for local tissue support
About imaging
X-rays (sometimes seated vs standing views) when trauma or instability is suspected; otherwise often clinical.
Daily self-care
- Cutout cushion everywhere you sit
- Hip-hinge to stand rather than pushing off the tailbone
- Soften stool if bowel movements aggravate it (hydration, fiber)
How we can help
Keep working on it at home
Once you have been examined and cleared to load it, these free home programs cover this part of the body.
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Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.