Understanding Coccyx (Tailbone) Pain: Finding Relief Through Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Jennifer Gelfand, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist in Scarborough, Maine, teaching a postpartum patient with her baby about pelvic floor and tailbone pain recovery.
The coccyx, or tailbone, is a small but mighty structure at the base of your spine. It connects to several muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your pelvis and help you move comfortably throughout the day. When this system becomes irritated or strained, tailbone pain (also called coccydynia) can make sitting, exercising, or even relaxing feel uncomfortable.
What Tailbone Pain Feels Like
Coccyx pain can show up in different ways. Some people feel constant aching or soreness, while others only notice pain when sitting on hard surfaces or after prolonged sitting. For many, discomfort can also increase during certain activities such as intercourse, exercise, bowel movements, or long car rides.
Common Causes of Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain can develop from a variety of sources with some easy to identify and others more subtle. Common causes include:
Trauma: A fall, sports injury, or childbirth can directly impact the coccyx.
Postural habits: Slouching, leaning back, or asymmetrical sitting can increase pressure on the tailbone.
Constipation or straining: Repeated pressure can irritate surrounding tissues.
Pelvic floor tension or imbalance: Tightness or weakness in the pelvic floor muscles can pull on the coccyx and surrounding structures.
Repetitive activities: Prolonged sitting, cycling, or rowing can overwork the area.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Identifying the root cause of your tailbone pain is key to finding lasting relief. At Root To Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health, our approach starts with understanding you. This includes your movement patterns, posture, lifestyle, and the unique demands of your day.
Your pelvic floor therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation, which may include:
Observing posture, breathing, and movement patterns
Assessing for muscle tension, weakness, or imbalance in the pelvic floor and surrounding areas
Discussing your routines, habits, and roles to understand contributing factors
If needed, you may also be referred to your physician for imaging of the coccyx to rule out structural concerns.
Treatment Options for Tailbone Pain
Once we identify the contributing factors, treatment focuses on restoring balance, reducing pain, and improving function. Your plan may include:
Posture and movement retraining to decrease pressure on the coccyx
Ergonomic recommendations, such as specialized cushions, adjusting your workspace, or standing breaks every 30–60 minutes
Manual therapy techniques like soft tissue mobilization, myofascial release, cupping, or dry needling
Breathwork and gentle stretching to ease tension and support relaxation
Targeted strengthening of the hips, core, and pelvic floor to stabilize and support the tailbone
When to Seek Help
If your tailbone pain has lasted more than a few weeks, or if it’s impacting your ability to sit comfortably, exercise, or participate in daily life, know that relief is possible. Pelvic floor physical therapy offers a personalized and effective path forward- addressing not just your symptoms, but the underlying causes.
At Root To Rise, we help individuals in Southern Maine find freedom from pain and reconnect to movement with confidence.
✨ You don’t have to live with tailbone pain. Schedule a pelvic floor assessment at Root to Rise Physical Therapy & Pelvic Health in Scarborough, Saco or Bath, Maine, and discover what your body really needs to feel strong and supported.
Interested in learning more? Read another blog post we wrote about tailbone pain: