TAIL BONE PAIN

Pain in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx, or tailbone).

COMMON CAUSES

Tailbone pain can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include trauma to the tailbone, prolonged sitting on an unpadded seat or cycling.

Why is my tailbone hurting?

Tailbone pain — pain that occurs in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx) — can be caused by trauma to the coccyx during a fall, prolonged sitting on a hard or narrow surface, degenerative joint changes, or vaginal childbirth.

Why Your Tailbone Hurts

OUR TAIL BONE

Your tailbone might have started hurting after sitting on a hard bench or other uncomfortable surface for a long period of time. Falls and other traumas can bruise, dislocate, or break your tailbone.

Joint damage from repetitive motions or general wear and tear from aging can also contribute to tailbone pain.

During the last trimester of pregnancy, the ligaments connected to and around the coccyx naturally loosen to make room for the baby. That’s why women are about five times more likelyTrusted Source than men to experience tailbone pain.

You’re also more prone to tailbone problems if you’re overweight. However, if you lose the weight quickly, you’ll lose the padding that protects your tailbone and may be more likely to injure it. In rare cases, the cause of coccyx pain may be an infection or tumor.