Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, is a term used to describe pain and discomfort in the coccyx or tailbone area. The tailbone is a small bone attached to the bottom of your sacrum that can cause big problems if injured. This condition can be caused by various factors including trauma, prolonged sitting, degenerative changes and difficult childbirth involving forceps. Postpartum coccydynia is a common problem found after giving birth that many mothers live with, but is not a normal problem to have due to its severe impact on quality of life.
Symptoms of Coccydynia can include:
- A dull ache below the sacrum and above the anus exacerbated by periods of sitting
- A sharp or stabbing pain when pressure is put on the tailbone
- Tenderness or sensitivity when palpated
- Radiating pain to the lower back, glutes or thighs.
Activities that engage the muscles around the tailbone, such as walking, bending, or having intercourse may exacerbate coccydynia symptoms.
Tailbone injuries such as fractures or bruising affect the pelvic floor muscles in several ways.
Following a trauma, the surrounding muscles may tense up or go into spasm as a protective response. This increased muscle tension can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction including pain, urinary or fecal incontinence as well as sexual dysfunction. A tailbone injury may also affect the positioning of the tailbone and may result in imbalances, weakness or asymmetry contributing to urinary urgency, pelvic organ prolapse or difficulty with bowel movements. It may also increase sensitivity in the pelvic floor region leading to chronic pain further exacerbating pelvic floor dysfunction interfering with the muscles ability to relax, function or coordinate leading to a cycle of pain and dysfunction.
A pelvic floor physical therapist can help you alleviate your tailbone pain by performing external as well as internal tailbone mobilizations to realign your tailbone so that it is in its pain free position. This will allow the muscles on either side to relax and not feel as if they are being pulled to one side causing increased tension and pain as a result. Just like the muscles intravaginally need multiple sessions to be released, the rectal muscles act the same. Tailbone mobilizations usually take a few sessions depending on symptoms and results seen by the patient.
Overall, coccydynia can significantly impact an individual’s comfort and mobility, making it important to seek the appropriate treatment to manage and alleviate pain. If you are experiencing persistent tailbone pain or discomfort, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider as well as your pelvic floor physical therapist to begin your personalized treatment plan today to address any resulting pelvic floor issues and promote optimal recovery and function.
Coccyx pain in women after childbirth
Coccyx Pain – PubMed (nih.gov)