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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:
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.
sit correctly – maintain good posture with your lower back supported
use a specially designed coccyx cushion when sitting
lie on your side to reduce the pressure on your coccyx
try pelvic floor exercises – also good for leaks (urinary incontinence)
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
do not sit for a long time
In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.
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:
If physiotherapy and injections do not help reduce the pain, surgery to remove part or all of your coccyx may be recommended.
Common causes of tailbone (coccyx) pain include:
Sometimes the cause of tailbone pain is unknown.
