![]() In these cases, the coccyx can become bruised, dislocated or even fractured. Traumatic coccydynia typically occurs either with a backwards fall on the bottom or during childbirth. What causes it? Coccyx pain is typically divided into two categories– traumatic and non-traumatic. Coccydynia seems to affect women more than men (5x more approximately!) and is more common in people with obesity. I think it’s likely under-reported (as are many things in the pelvis), and I believe the lack of understanding on treatment options contributes to this. Some literature state that it is “uncommon,” but I don’t really think that’s true. How common is it? The prevalence is actually unknown. Clinically, I also will often find that people with tailbone pain will begin to have low back pain too– I believe this occurs as people alter sitting positions and “side-sit” to avoid sitting on the tailbone. ![]() Most people with coccydynia will complain of pain in sitting (especially on hard surfaces), pain in standing for a long period, and pain when moving from sitting to standing or from standing to sitting. Since the pelvic floor muscles attach to the coccyx, many people with coccyx pain will have pelvic floor muscle involvement to some extent and may complain of constipation or pain with bowel movements, changes in urinary frequency/urgency or pain with sexual intercourse. What is it and what are the common symptoms associated with it? Coccydynia translated means “pain in the coccyx,” and that is how coccydynia is defined. Now that we got that out of the way, here are a few things to know about coccydynia (tailbone pain): In fact, the coccyx moves as we sit and moves again as we stand. The coccyx does not stay still when we move. Several ligaments and muscles attach to the coccyx, including the gluteus maximus and the pelvic floor muscles. You will feel a very small boney structure, and can often feel the tip of the coccyx (which will be very close to the anus!). To feel your coccyx, slide your fingers down from the sacrum between each cheek of your bottom. These fused segments attach to the sacrum. The coccyx (tailbone) refers to the 3-5 fused bones at the very end of the spine. I have had this happen in reverse too where a patient told me his “back hurt” but pointed to his coccyx. Several months ago, I received a referral from a PT colleague to treat a nice lady who was having “tailbone pain.” She came into my office and when I asked where her pain was, she pointed directly to the sacrum. So, my goal today is to tell you exactly what tailbone pain is, how it happens, and what it feels like… and then in part 2 to tell you what you can do about it.įirst, where exactly is the tailbone? Seems easy, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t actually know where it is. Many people with the same pain will stay in pain for a long time before getting the treatment that helps. I was lucky, because I know about tailbone pain…I was able to get it treated and I got better very quickly. ![]() I sat in one place for 7 hours straight (likely in a slumped posture)– and my tailbone didn’t like it. The truth is, my story is not a totally uncommon one. (Yes, it literally went, “Hi, my name is Jessica, will you treat my coccyx?”) She did, and one day later it felt totally better. Thankfully, in my case, I was headed to a course full of pelvic health practitioners, and I begged one of them to treat my tailbone on the first day. Then I boarded the plane and sat for another 3 hours (finished the book!). I believe I got up one time over those four hours. ![]() My flight was delayed…and delayed… a one hour wait became a four hour wait. I arrived to the airport early for my flight and settled in at the gate with a good book waiting for the boarding call. Several years ago, I was on my way to a continuing education course in Minneapolis, MN.
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