Hip & pelvis
Tailbone pain
Pain when sitting or getting up from a seat
What it means
Coccydynia is pain centered around the coccyx, the small bone at the bottom of the spine. A fall, childbirth, or prolonged pressure may precede symptoms. The exam and history help distinguish local tenderness from pain referred from nearby areas. [1, 2]
What I check in the clinic
I ask whether hard seats, leaning back, or standing up cause the familiar pain. I can compare your sit-to-stand with a different seat height or support to see which part changes.
What the evidence says about care
Research includes a range of conservative and specialist treatments, with uneven evidence across options. I’d start by understanding what limits sitting and discuss whether a medical exam or specialist assessment fits your history. [3, 2]
Common questions
Why can I sit on the couch but struggle on a kitchen chair?
I’d ask when it starts in each seat and what happens when you stand. We can compare seat support or height and see which part of the task feels different.
How do I tell if sitting improved when I still feel it getting up?
Keep those as two observations. Notice how long you sit before shifting and how the first stand feels. We can decide which is the bigger limit for you.
Why does it hurt as I stand but settle after a few steps?
Show me where in the stand you feel it. We can compare that movement from two seat heights and see whether one changes the familiar feeling.
What if the drive home feels fine but dinner sitting still hurts?
Tell me what each seat feels like and how long you’re in it. We can use those differences to choose what to check and what to track.
What if I fell directly onto my tailbone?
Tell your clinician how you fell and what has changed since. Persistent or severe pain after a fall can warrant medical evaluation before hands-on care. [1]
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring one example of a movement or activity you want back, along with any relevant imaging or treatment notes you already have.