Coccyx Pain: Coccydynia, Causes and Sitting

Coccyx pain, or coccydynia, is pain around the tailbone at the base of the spine. Coccyx pain can follow a fall, childbirth, prolonged pressure from sitting, or less commonly other local or medical causes. Because the coccyx bears more direct pressure when a person sits back or reclines, symptoms often change with sitting position and when moving from sitting to standing.

The first goal is to confirm that the pain is actually coming from the coccyx and not from the sacroiliac joints, lower back, pelvic floor or another nearby structure. Load modification, a suitable cushion, gradual movement and targeted rehabilitation may help some mechanical presentations.

This guide to coccyx pain, from coccydynia and its causes to pain when sitting, is published by Chiropractic Specialty Center, Bukit Damansara (KL) main center: WhatsApp+60 17 269 1873 Call+603 2093 1000

Key Takeaways on Coccyx & Tailbone Care

Top 3 Points:

1. Non-Invasive Approaches: CSC utilizes chiropractic, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation methods, avoiding aggressive techniques.
2. Care for Mothers: pregnancy and the months after birth change pelvic loading, and care is planned around those changes.
3. Assessment: the check looks for where the pain comes from before a plan is made.

Contact Us for Coccyx Pain Consultation

At Chiropractic Specialty Center (CSC), we emphasize non-invasive coccyx & tailbone care approaches, integrating chiropractic, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. Our methods avoid rotatory spinal manipulations, focusing instead on gentle techniques like the Activator Method, which targets specific spinal segments without excessive force. Physiotherapy interventions may include tailored exercises, manual techniques, and modalities aimed at enhancing function and reducing pain.

For expectant and new mothers, hormonal changes and postural adaptations can contribute to coccyx issues. Care is planned around what pregnancy changes about pelvic loading and positioning.

Contact Us

Tailbone Problems: Coccyx, Coccydynia & Tailbone Pain

The coccyx bone is the last bony structure in our spinal column. It is the smallest bony segment of the spine, located right below the sacrum.

The coccyx is made of three to five small bones joined to the bottom of the sacrum. The coccyx is not one solid bone but several small bones joined by fibrous ligaments, so it can move slightly.

The coccyx begins with a mass of cartilage at birth, ossifying gradually from the superior to inferior segments. The bones finish hardening around the end of puberty. Prolonged sitting is one cause of coccydynia. Prolonged sitting or a poor sitting posture places undue stress on the small bones at the end of your spine (coccyx bone).

Long periods of sitting can worsen an existing coccyx problem or start one.

Role Of The Coccyx Pain & Problematic Tailbone

The coccyx bone is the last bone at the bottom tip of your tailbone. The coccyx serves as an attachment point for several muscles in the pelvic region; for instance, the gluteus maximus has one of its origins attached along to the coccyx. The notion that the coccyx is entirely useless is false and based on old premises. In addition to providing attachment points for several tendons and muscles, it helps stabilize the spine in a seated position.

CSC offers back pain in KL through modern methods incorporating gentle and safe methods and techniques in chiropractic care combined with physiotherapy; WhatsApp us now if you have back problems or tailbone pain; we can help. 

The Levator-Ani and other Coccygeus muscles that form the pelvic diaphragm help delay defecation and urination by constricting the pelvic floor's organs. Lastly, the coccyx supports the anus by holding the external anal sphincter in place through the anococcygeal ligaments.

Where Is The Tailbone & Is The Sacrum Part Of It?

 The coccyx bone is the true tailbone. The coccyx is the bottom tip of the tailbone extending about 15-25 millimeters (less than 1 inch in length) upward, just beneath the sacrum. The sacrum is the triangular bone that connects to your pelvic bones on each side.

Some consider the sacrum part of the tailbone.

Are There Different Types Of Tailbone Problems?

In general, there are three different types of tailbone pain:

1. Congenital tailbone pain: pain from a coccyx or sacrum that formed with an unusual shape; spina bifida is a rare cause.
2. Pregnancy-related tailbone pain: pain that starts during pregnancy, childbirth or the months after.
3. Traumatic tailbone pain: pain after a fall onto the bottom or a hard landing on a seat.

Tailbone Pain During Pregnancy & After Childbirth

Tailbone pain during pregnancy is a common complaint. Several factors cause tailbone pain during pregnancy:

1. Changes in the center of gravity resulting from weight gains 
2. Hormonal changes
3. Poor posture
4. Nutation and counternutation

Nutation and counternutation are changes in position or forward and backward movements of the tailbones as it applies during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum (after pregnancy). During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the tailbone (sacrum and coccyx combined) is under excessive stress due to hormonal and ligamentous softening that widens the pelvis. 

Relaxin and progesterone are two hormones that increase significantly during pregnancy and stay at elevated levels for up to six months after childbirth. The primary role of the progesterone and relaxin hormones is to prepare for gestation (pregnancy) and delivery of the baby.

Most women start developing pregnancy aches and pain in the lower back, groin, hips, and tailbone regions during pregnancy, most notably in the second and third trimesters. If you are experiencing pregnancy hip related hip issues, consider getting care at out Bukit Damansara center; contact our main center in Bukit Damansara now.  

The uterus is connected to the pelvic bones, pubic bone, and sacral bone or sacrum. These connections are through a series of six ligaments:

1. Round ligament 
2. Broad ligament
3. Cardinal ligament
4. Infundibulopelvic ligament
5. Pubocervical ligament
6. Uterosacral ligament

What Are the Options For Tailbone Pain During Or After Pregnancy?

Chiropractic Specialty Center in Kuala Lumpur provides care for pregnancy aches and pain, including pregnancy tailbone pain and non-invasive care for back pain during pregnancy, by our chiropractors.

What Is Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)?

The pain arises from the coccygeal nerve's impingement that supplies neuronal stimulation to the skin's part around the tailbone's very bottom portion.

A fall onto the bottom is a common cause of tailbone pain.

Slip, and falls are common causes of degenerative changes in the spine, such as Modic Type-1 or Modic Type 2 changes.

Prolonged and improper sitting postures may lead to increased stresses on the tailbone.

Acute Coccyx Or Tailbone Pain

Acute coccydynia is often due to micro or macro trauma. Micro-traumatic injuries are related to improper sitting postures, while macro-traumatic events involve landing on the buttocks following a fall. In both cases, the coccyx may misalign at either the sacrococcygeal junction or between the coccyx's four bones.

Studies have shown that the activities that require prolonged sitting, such as biking and cycling, have a higher tendency to cause coccydynia due to repetitive micro traumatic events involving the tailbone and sacrococcygeal segments. So, avoid prolonged sitting and opt for our non-invasive physiotherapy and chiropractic care of the tailbone today.

Axial loading or repetitive micro traumatic events (cycling) may place undue amounts of pressure on the coccyx, resulting in misalignment in the coccyx and compression of the nerve. The compressed nerve can generate a burning or tingling sensation in that area, and some report numbness around the coccyx, with moderate compression of the coccygeal nerves. You may even experience leg pain.

What Are The Causes of Coccyx Pain Or Tailbone Problems During Pregnancy?

Your rib cage, abdominal muscles, and pelvic girdle need stretching and widening to accommodate the growing uterus during pregnancy. Relaxin is the hormone that prepares your muscles, ligaments, ribcage, and pelvis for your growing baby and, of course, the delivery process.

The Relaxin hormone is present at high levels throughout the entire pregnancy.

Tailbone Pain Caused By Sciatica & Slipped disc.

Sciatica and slipped discs are common causes of pain in the tailbone area. A slipped disc can pinch a nerve root in the lower back, and the result is called sciatica. A pinched nerve in the lower back involving the L4-L5 or L5 S1 causes nerve irritation, leading to muscle tension around the tailbone.

A large slipped disc, such as an extruded or a fragmented disc, can pinch the traversing nerve root. Traversing nerve roots are the nerves that exit at lower segments. A large extruded disc at the L5-S1 segment can impinge the exiting l5 nerve or the traversing S1 & S2 nerves. Pain from these nerves can be felt near the tailbone.

At CSC, we assess the entire spine for patients with coccyx, coccydynia & tailbone pain. If the pain comes from the lower back, care is aimed at the lower back as well. 

NSD Therapy® is a combined spine care program delivered through the combined efforts of CSC's clinical physiotherapists & chiropractors in Malaysia. 

Coccydynia & Its Link to Pinched Nerve Symptoms

Coccydynia pain at the tailbone, can result from inflammation, trauma, or abnormal coccygeal alignment, and may irritate nearby coccygeal nerves, causing localized or radiating pain when sitting or standing Conservative care, especially physiotherapy, has shown significant short-term pain relief and improved function for adults with coccydynia.

Learn more about Pinched Nerve causes and care options here.

Coccyx Pain During Pregnancy

Coccyx pain in expecting mothers and mothers with newborns is often the result of hormonal changes coupled with poor posture. Back problems and tailbone pain during pregnancy are everyday occurrences. All expecting mothers go through it. Unfortunately, for some, it becomes disabling to the point where they are bedridden.

Chiropractic and physiotherapy combined is the preferred method in non-invasive care when it comes to a  tailbone pain. But, for the expecting and new mothers, the type of chiropractic or physiotherapy you get matters. Relaxin letdown is the main culprit in tailbone pain or back problems during pregnancy.

What Type Of Care Is Good? And What Should You Avoid?

You must avoid the rotatory methods of spine manipulations or adjustments provided by chiropractors and physiotherapists.

The rotatory techniques are those where you lie down on your side with a knee bent, and the chiropractor or physiotherapist turns or rotates you, emitting a popping sound. It can feel good at the time, but it adds twisting load to joints that pregnancy has already loosened.

At CSC, chiropractic and physiotherapy are non-rotatory.

Can The Coccygeal Bone Misalignment Lead To Tailbone Pain?

These misalignments are referred to as "Subluxations" in chiropractic practice. Chiropractors have provided the highest benefits to those suffering from tailbone pain.

Generally speaking, there are two distinct methods of realigning the coccyx bone through targeted chiropractic care called "adjustments." Sufferers can have either an internal coccygeal adjustment (that realigns the coccyx) or external chiropractic adjustment.

At CSC, external tailbone adjustments are done with the low-force "Activator Chiropractic Methods." Another way of managing a malpositioned tailbone is through an internal coccyx adjustment.

Internal coccyx adjustments are somewhat intrusive. As such, we do not provide them.

What Are The Non-Surgical Options For Pain In The Tailbone?

Most coccydynia settles with conservative care. Care is paired with changes to the sitting habits and daily activities that keep irritating the tailbone.

What Should You Do For Coccyx Pain?

Start with how you sit. After falls, long or poor sitting is a common cause of pain at the bottom of the spine.

The pelvic floor muscles support organs such as the urinary bladder, bowels, and reproductive systems. Sitting in a poor posture for long periods can impact the pelvic floor muscles. Slouching forward in a seated position stresses the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Tailbone Pain Could Be Due To Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness Or Atrophy

A tired or achy pain in the tailbone or bottom of the spine is related to pelvic floor muscles' weakness. Like other muscles in your body, pelvic floor muscles can weaken and even degenerate.

The first step is a proper assessment of all causes. Our centers assess the spine, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and joints.

Coccydynia Exercises Of The Pelvic Floor Muscles

Exercise is central to coccydynia care. However, for exercises to be practical, they must be targeted and diagnosis-specific. A milder coccydynia exercise program is better for those with associated conditions such as spinal canal stenosis, sciatica, slipped disc (slip-disc), degenerative changes, and injuries.

Exercises are chosen after an assessment. The care we provide may include manual therapies, modern technology, chiropractic, physical management, physiotherapy, and targeted exercises for the pelvic floor and spine.

Non Invasive Tailbone Care In Kuala Lumpur

CSC provides holistic and non-invasive back care for slipped discs, backaches, and tailbone pain. Contact CSC for combined care through modern chiropractic & clinical physiotherapy today. 

The icing of the affected area is crucial when one has pain, as pain is one of the cardinal symptoms of inflammation. Thus, icing the bottom parts of the tailbone (coccygeal area) for 10 to 15 minutes five times a day can reduce swelling. However, we encourage all patients to avoid icing the areas unless they have been instructed by a healthcare professional.

There are conditions in which icing may be contraindicated. Also, there is a right and wrong method of icing. These must be well understood before icing an injured joint. Therefore, we encourage all pain sufferers and those with coccyx pain to attend a consultation with one of our clinical teams before employing any home remedies.

Pelvic Floor Exercises & Strengthen Praogs

In addition to icing and chiropractic care, our clinical teams may prescribe specific exercises. Pelvic floor exercises usually start once the pain has settled.

At CSC, our team may recommend that you initiate a focused and targeted exercise and strengthening program at our physiotherapy gym. CSC’s physiotherapy gym is in the premises of our main center in Bukit Damansara. All exercises in our physiotherapy gym are one-to-one and provided by our physiotherapists. 

Home care instruction is also an essential part of our care.

A coccyx cushion can take pressure off the tailbone. Special pads with customized shapes, such as O-shape, V-shape, and U-shape, can mitigate the coccyx pressure and, thus, alleviate the pain. If coccydynia is worsened by poor bowel movement or constipation, one must increase dietary fiber and water intake to ease defecation.

---

Tailbone Sticking Out, Popping or Out of Place: What It Can Mean

A tailbone that seems to stick out, pop or click when sitting down is a common worry. The tailbone, or coccyx, is made of three to five small bones joined to the bottom of the sacrum. It is meant to move a little. When a person sits, it bends forward slightly to share the load with the two sitting bones.

X-rays taken sitting and standing, then compared, show how much it moves. A well-known French study used these X-rays in people with tailbone pain and found a few clear patterns: a tailbone that moves too much, one that slips backward when sitting, and small bony spurs at the tip. The pattern was linked to body weight. Heavier people more often had a tailbone that slipped backward, while thinner people more often had a spur.

So a tailbone that “sticks out” may be a normal shape, a spur, or a joint that moves too much. The sitting and standing X-rays and a careful exam tell them apart.

Care at CSC for these problems is gentle. It can include cushion advice, changes to sitting posture, pelvic floor and hip muscle work, and careful manual methods, with the aim of taking load off the tailbone while the area settles.

Bruised or Broken Tailbone After a Fall

Falling onto the bottom, slipping on stairs or landing hard on a seat are common causes of tailbone pain. The injury can be a bruise, a sprain of the joint between the sacrum and the tailbone, a dislocation, or a small crack, which is a fracture.

All of these hurt when sitting, and often most when standing up from a chair. A plain X-ray can show a fracture or a clear dislocation, and sitting and standing X-rays can show a joint that has become loose after the fall. In the French study above, a fall in the month before the pain started made a loose tailbone more likely.

Most tailbone pain settles with simple care. A review of the research reports that conservative care works in about 90% of cases, and many settle on their own. Healing often takes several weeks and sometimes a few months. Helpful steps include a wedge or cut-out cushion, leaning slightly forward when sitting, breaking up long sitting and keeping bowel movements soft.

At CSC, care after a fall begins once a fracture has been ruled out when needed, and focuses on easing load on the tailbone, gentle pelvic floor and hip work, and a slow return to normal sitting.

Serving Nearby Communities for Coccyx (Tailbone) Care

• Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI): Residents in TTDI can find targeted, non-invasive care for tailbone pain, using posture alignment and physiotherapy to ease coccygeal stress and nerve irritation.
• Bangsar & Bangsar South: We serve Bangsar & Bangsar South patients with gentle coccyx realignment and tailored muscle training to reduce nerve pressure and improve sitting comfort.
• Mont Kiara: Mont Kiara locals benefit from structured physiotherapy and decompression techniques aimed at restoring coccygeal function and reducing nerve-related pain.
• Sri Hartamas: Our Sri Hartamas clinic provides tailored rehab exercises and spinal adjustment to support coccyx healing and reduce associated nerve sensitivity.
• Mid Valley & KL Eco City: Mid Valley & KL Eco City residents gain access to non-force coccyx care, using decompression and muscle activation techniques to support nerve relief and tailbone alignment.
• Solaris Mont Kiara & Publika: Near Solaris & Publika, our gentle chiropractic and physiotherapy plans help clients recover coccyx mobility and ease nerve irritation from prolonged sitting.

---

Care at Our Main Centers in Greater Kuala Lumpur

1. Bukit Damansara - Kuala Lumpur: Our Bukit Damansara team offers evidence-based coccyx pain care, combining spinal adjustments, decompression, and core-strengthening to support tailbone alignment and nerve relief.
2. Bandar Sri Damansara - Serving Northwest KL: Our Bandar Sri Damansara clinic supports coccyx recovery with non-invasive methods and therapeutic exercises designed to ease nerve tension and promote stability.