Tailbone Pain When Sitting? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated October 20261 minute read
Tailbone pain that's worse when sitting — especially leaning back or rising from a chair — is coccydynia, often from a past fall onto the tailbone, childbirth, prolonged sitting, or tension in the nearby pelvic floor muscles. It's usually not serious and responds well to cushioning, posture changes, and pelvic-health physical therapy. Tailbone pain after a significant fall, or with fever or bowel changes, should be evaluated.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Coccydynia (tailbone irritation), often linked to a fall, childbirth, prolonged sitting, or pelvic floor muscle tension. Less common causes. A fracture after a fall, or rarely other local issues, can cause persistent tailbone pain.
What you can try at home
Use a wedge or donut-style cushion, avoid sinking into soft seats, sit with good support, and take standing breaks. Gentle pelvic floor relaxation can help since those muscles attach near the tailbone. Avoid sitting for long stretches while it settles.
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When to see a physical therapist
If tailbone pain persists or limits sitting, a pelvic-health PT can address posture, cushioning, and the pelvic floor.
Red flags — don't wait
Seek care for tailbone pain after a significant fall (possible fracture), with fever, or with bowel or neurological changes.
Already seen a doctor, or have imaging? Request a match — free.
If a doctor has checked you out and physical therapy is an option, tell us where you are. We'll send you cash-pay PTs nearby who treat this, with their prices and first openings — bring your results to the first visit. You choose; we don't give medical advice.
We check two or three cash-pay PTs near you. We reply within 1 business day with next steps.
How a PT treats this
Treatment combines cushioning and posture changes with pelvic floor–focused work and surrounding muscle balance.
Frequently asked questions
Sitting loads the coccyx and nearby muscles, which are irritated.
Sources (5)
- Bain HL, Mabrouk A, Foye P. Coccyx Pain. StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
- Lirette LS, et al. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Ochsner J. 2014. — PubMed
- Andersen GØ, et al. Coccydynia—The Efficacy of Available Treatment Options: A Systematic Review. Global Spine J. 2022. — PubMed
- Blanco-Diaz M, et al. Physiotherapy approaches for coccydynia: evaluating effectiveness and clinical outcomes. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025. — BMC Musculoskelet Disord
- Sidiq M, et al. Effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for coccydynia: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis. Arch Physiother. 2025. — Arch Physiother
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.