In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about coccyx pain and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called prolotherapy.
Coccyx Pain (Coccydynia): Causes & Effective Treatments
Table of Contents
- What is Coccyx Pain?
- Coccyx Pain: What Causes It?
- Diagnosis
- Coccyx Pain Treatment Options
- Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
What is Coccyx Pain?
Coccydynia, or coccyx pain (also called coccygodynia), is pain at the base of your spine. It can be a dull ache or severe pain, often worse when sitting, getting up, during sex, or using the restroom. The coccyx is a critical part of the lower back, serving as an anchor for muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Most cases resolve within weeks or months, but persistent pain may need further evaluation.
The most common cause is direct trauma (like a fall), but pain can also result from childbirth, prolonged sitting, infection, or rarely, cancer. Sometimes, the cause is unclear (idiopathic coccydynia). Anatomical issues such as coccyx hypermobility, limited movement, or displacement can also contribute.
Coccyx Pain: What Causes It?
Trauma
Direct injury (e.g., a fall) is the most common cause. This can bruise, fracture, or dislocate the coccyx, leading to inflammation and pain.
Consistently High Levels of Stress
Activities like horseback riding or sitting on hard surfaces for long periods can cause pain. If untreated, inflammation may become chronic. Constipation and sciatica can also aggravate coccyx pain.
Childbirth
During delivery, the baby’s head can put pressure on the coccyx, sometimes causing injury or even fracture.
Referred Pain
Pain from other spinal or pelvic issues (like a lumbar herniated disc or cervical stenosis) can be felt in the coccyx. Obesity, pelvic rotation, and infection (e.g., pilonidal cyst) are also risk factors.
Gender
Women are more likely to develop chronic coccydynia due to pelvic anatomy and stress after childbirth.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a detailed history and physical exam. Your doctor may ask about pregnancies, digestive issues, muscle or nerve problems, and perform:
- Pelvic and rectal exams
- Imaging (X-ray, MRI) to check the coccyx and spine
- Blood tests to rule out infection or autoimmune disease
Coccyx Pain Treatment Options
Prolotherapy
Many coccyx structures have poor blood supply, making healing slow. Prolotherapy involves injecting a regenerative solution directly into the area, delivering oxygen and nutrients to stimulate healing and collagen production. By addressing the root cause, prolotherapy is considered a permanent fix for coccyx pain.
Other Treatments
- Medication: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin) and topical gels (e.g., Voltaren) can help. Local anesthetics may be used for severe pain.
- Lifestyle Changes: Gentle stretching, yoga, pilates, massage, and posture correction can relieve mild pain.
- Seating Aids: Wedge or donut-shaped cushions reduce pressure on the tailbone.
- Physical Therapy: Strengthening surrounding muscles and pelvic floor support can help.
- Prescription Pain Medication: For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers.
- Surgery: Rarely, part of the coccyx may be removed (coccygectomy) if other treatments fail.
- Injectable Steroids: Used for short-term relief but not recommended long-term.
Treating underlying issues (e.g., hemorrhoids, infection) is also important. Coccyx pain after pregnancy often resolves on its own.
Summary
Coccyx pain is most often caused by trauma, childbirth, or prolonged sitting. Most cases improve with conservative care, but persistent pain may require prolotherapy, physical therapy, or rarely, surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is coccydynia?
Coccydynia is pain at the tailbone (coccyx), often caused by trauma, childbirth, or prolonged sitting.
How is coccyx pain diagnosed?
Through history, physical exam, and imaging (X-ray, MRI) to rule out other causes.
What are the best treatments for coccyx pain?
Prolotherapy, NSAIDs, physical therapy, seating aids, and in rare cases, surgery.
Can coccyx pain be prevented?
Use cushions when sitting, avoid prolonged pressure, and maintain good posture.
When should I see a doctor?
If pain is severe, persistent, or associated with fever, numbness, or bowel/bladder changes.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let Coccyx Pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
- Phone: +44 1234 380345
- Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
- London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
- Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
- Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating Coccyx Pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with Coccyx Pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Connect with Oliver Eaton on LinkedIn
References
- Foye PM. Coccydynia (coccyx pain) caused by chordoma. International orthopaedics. 2007;31(3):427–427. View Study
- Lirette LS, Chaiban G, Tolba R, Eissa H. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Ochsner Journal. 2014;14(1):84–7. View Study
- Foye PM, Shupper P, Wendel I. Coccyx fractures treated with intranasal calcitonin. Pain physician. 2014;17(2):233–229.
- Mabrouk A, Alloush A, Foye P. Coccyx Pain. StatPearls [Internet]. 2020;
- DUNCAN GA. Painful coccyx. Archives of Surgery. 1937;34(6):1088–104.
- Foye PM, Buttaci CJ, Stitik TP, Yonclas PP. Successful injection for coccyx pain. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation. 2006;85(9):783–4. View Study