Tailbone (coccyx) pain - NHS
Find out about tailbone (coccyx) pain, including how to ease the pain yourself and when to get medical help. Read about symptoms, causes and treatments.
The main symptom of tailbone (coccyx) pain is pain and tenderness at the base of your spine, near the top of your bottom.
It may feel dull and achy most of the time, with occasional sharp pains.
The pain may be worse:
- while you’re sitting down
- when you sit down or stand up
- when you bend forward
- when you’re having a poo
- during sex
- during your period
You may also find it difficult to sleep and carry out daily activities.
Tailbone (coccyx) pain may improve after a few weeks, but it can sometimes last longer. There are some things you can do to help ease the pain.
Do
-
sit correctly – maintain good posture with your lower back supported
-
use a specially designed coccyx cushion when sitting – sitting on an exercise ball can also help
-
lie on your side to reduce the pressure on your coccyx
-
try pelvic floor exercises (particularly important during pregnancy)
-
use an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes – you can also use a heat pack for longer
-
use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to help reduce the pain
-
use a laxative to soften your poo if the pain is worse when pooing – ask a pharmacist for a laxative that softens poo
-
sit correctly – maintain good posture with your lower back supported
-
use a specially designed coccyx cushion when sitting – sitting on an exercise ball can also help
-
lie on your side to reduce the pressure on your coccyx
-
try pelvic floor exercises (particularly important during pregnancy)
-
use an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes – you can also use a heat pack for longer
-
use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to help reduce the pain
-
use a laxative to soften your poo if the pain is worse when pooing – ask a pharmacist for a laxative that softens poo
Don’t
-
do not sit for a long time
-
do not wear clothes that are tight around your bottom and lower back, like some types of jeans
-
do not sit for a long time
-
do not wear clothes that are tight around your bottom and lower back, like some types of jeans
Further treatments are available if simple things like pelvic floor exercises and ibuprofen have not helped your tailbone (coccyx) pain.
The 2 treatments that may be recommended first are:
- physiotherapy – the muscles around the coccyx can be manipulated to help ease the pain
- corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections – into the joint that attaches the coccyx to the bottom of your spine; you’ll usually have a maximum of 2 injections given on consecutive months
If physiotherapy and injections do not help reduce the pain, surgery to remove part or all of your coccyx may be recommended.
If you have tailbone (coccyx) pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
- ask the receptionist staff at your GP surgery
- check your GP surgery’s website
- contact your local integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
- search online for NHS treatment for tailbone (coccyx) pain near you
Common causes of tailbone (coccyx) pain include:
- pregnancy and childbirth
- an injury or accident, such as a fall onto your coccyx
- repeated or prolonged strain on the coccyx – for example, after sitting for a long time while driving or cycling
- poor posture
- being overweight or underweight
- joint hypermobility (increased flexibility) of the joint that attaches the coccyx to the bottom of the spine
Sometimes the cause of tailbone pain is unknown.
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