What Is Coccydynia? Signs, Causes & Treatment Options
Tailbone Pain Isn’t Just in Your Head — It’s Coccydynia.
If you’ve been struggling with deep, aching pain at the very bottom of your spine — especially when sitting, standing from a chair, or during certain movements — you might be dealing with Coccydynia.
Tailbone pain can be:
- Sharp
- Aching
- Stabbing
- Constant or intermittent
And it’s far more common than most people realise — particularly after injury, surgery, prolonged sitting, or physical trauma.
What Is Coccydynia?
Coccydynia refers to pain and inflammation of the coccyx — the small triangular bone at the base of your spine.
It can occur when:
- The coccyx is bruised, dislocated, or fractured
- Soft tissues and ligaments around the coccyx become inflamed
- Nerves in the area become sensitised
Common Symptoms
âś… Pain at the very base of the spine
âś… Worsening discomfort when sitting, cycling, or transitioning from sit-to-stand
âś… Tenderness over the coccyx when touched
âś… Pain during bowel movements or intimacy (in severe cases)
âś… Radiating pain into buttocks, hips, or thighs (sometimes)
Common Causes
🔹 Trauma:
- Falls directly onto the tailbone (e.g., slipping on ice, sports injuries)
- Childbirth trauma
- Direct blows during contact sports
🔹 Repetitive Strain:
- Prolonged sitting on hard or narrow surfaces (e.g., cyclists, desk workers)
🔹 Postural Imbalance:
- Pelvic tilt abnormalities
- Core and glute weakness
- Prolonged poor sitting posture
🔹 Degenerative Changes:
- Age-related wear of the coccygeal joints
Who Gets Coccydynia?
Anyone can develop it — but it’s especially common in:
- Cyclists
- Office workers
- Postpartum women
- Gym-goers after impact injuries
- People recovering from pelvic or spinal surgery
đź’¬ Real Patient Story: Alex, 41
“I thought I just bruised it. But 6 months later, I still couldn’t sit through a meeting without shifting constantly.”
“Shockwave therapy and core retraining finally broke the cycle. It wasn’t instant, but it worked.”
How Coccydynia Is Diagnosed
âś… Clinical history (injury? childbirth? sitting patterns?)
âś… Physical examination (palpation, seated pain reproduction)
âś… Exclusion of fractures or tumors via imaging (rare but important)
Most diagnoses are clinical — meaning no scan is needed unless there’s a red flag.
Treatment Options for Coccydynia
The good news?
Most cases can be resolved without surgery.
At Male Health Clinic, we offer:
âś… Shockwave Therapy
Stimulates healing, reduces chronic inflammation, improves blood supply.
âś… Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
Releases abnormal tension and restores normal pelvic mechanics.
âś… Postural Retraining and Sitting Advice
Corrects mechanical strain at the coccyx.
âś… Targeted Strength and Mobility Work
Stabilises hips, pelvis, and core to reduce coccygeal load.
âś… Pain Education and Emotional Support
Understanding the cycle of sensitisation and fear avoidance is crucial.
⚖️ When Is Surgery Considered?
Rarely.
Only in chronic cases (12+ months) where conservative treatments have failed — and after MRI confirmation of severe coccyx dislocation or degeneration.
Even then, recovery after coccygectomy (tailbone removal) is long and not guaranteed.
âś… When to Seek Help
You should book an assessment if:
- Pain has lasted more than 4–6 weeks
- Sitting, standing, or movement are consistently painful
- Self-management (cushions, posture changes) isn’t enough
- Symptoms affect work, sport, sleep, or emotional health
Pain at the base of your spine isn’t something you have to “just live with.” You deserve answers — and a real recovery plan.
