Coccyx (tail bone) pain can be very debilitating. The pain is usually localised to the area directly over the coccyx and is most often noticed when sitting, particularly on a hard surface. Some people also experience pain with getting up after sitting, and when opening their bowels. Coccyx pain can start after a fall onto the coccyx, following child birth, or due to increased sitting or poor sitting ergonomics. 

Effective management of coccyx pain requires thorough assessment of the coccyx itself, the muscles and ligaments attaching to the coccyx, sitting ergonomics and any other activities that bring on your symptoms. Given the location of the coccyx, proper assessment often requires an internal (rectal) examination to enable assessment of the mobility of the coccyx and the muscles attaching directly to it. 

Treatment will often include normalisation of the mobility of the coccyx, addressing the tension of the muscles attached to the coccyx, correcting sitting ergonomics (including implementing changes to reduce load on the coccyx), and addressing any other movement or mobility dysfunctions that are contributing to your symptoms.  

Our physiotherapists trained in Women’s Health have the skills and knowledge to help you address your coccyx pain, so don’t suffer in silence – help is at hand!