Tailbone Pain When Sitting

The last bone of the vertebral column is known as tailbone or coccyx in medical terms. It usually consists of three to five vertebrae, fused together, which connect with the sacrum. Any pain in and around the coccyx is called coccygodynia or tailbone pain. The pain is usually very prominent in the lower sacral and perineal areas of the body. Tailbone pain when sitting is a condition that affects more women as compared to men. This condition can be both acute as well as chronic.

Causes of Tailbone Pain When Sitting

There are various factors that can cause pain in the tailbone when sitting. The most common cause is, when the patients fall onto their buttocks. This causes an impact injury to the tailbone, giving rise to pain. Such a pain caused by tailbone injury is known as acute coccygodynia. On the other hand, chronic coccygodynia is caused due to a difficult pregnancy, delivery, repeated trauma to the last vertebrae or repeated strain caused due to repetitive activities like rowing, cycling and having a faulty posture while sitting. There are some experts, who opine that tailbone pain when sitting down can also be caused due to anal sex.

Malformation of the coccyx itself is the primary cause of this pain. Bone spurs on the coccyx is another common cause of tailbone pain when sitting. Often due to the bone spurs, there is no padding to protect the region, giving rise to pain. Damage to the sacrum, caused to various reasons, gives rise to referred pain in the tailbone area. Strained muscles, pinched or damaged nerves or dislocation of the coccyx can also give rise to tailbone pain.

Symptoms of Tailbone Pain When Sitting
Tailbone pain when sitting or when rising from a seated position is the most common symptom of coccygodynia. The pain experienced is often burning pain in the rectal area. If it becomes chronic pain, the patient may also experience pain while standing or lying down as well. The other symptom is numbness in the lower region of the spine. Pain can also be experienced during bowel movements, sexual intercourse or may be also menstruation.

The secondary yet debilitating pain can also be experienced in the back area, due to sitting in odd positions in order to relieve the pain in the tailbone region. The person can suffer from painful feet and leg pain, as the patient avoids sitting down due to the pain. Pain in the entire buttock region can also be a symptom of tailbone pain.

Treating Tailbone Pain When Sitting
Patients suffering from tailbone pain when sitting for too long are advised to use well-padded seat, when they sit and avoid sitting for longer time as far as possible. Rest is also one of the most important part of the treatment. Often anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers are prescribed to the patient. If the pain is severe, certain local injection may also be administered. In rare cases, is surgical resection of the coccyx to remove the irritated bone spur carried out. Physical therapy is often recommended to the patient to relieve the patient of the pain. One of the most important task carried out by the health care professional is to correct the sitting position of the patient, which in most cases is the cause of tailbone pain when sitting. Certain exercises can also be recommended to the patient.

When a patient experiences tailbone pain when sitting, it is recommended that the patient does not neglect the condition and get himself or herself examined from a health care professional. At the same time avoid any sort of stress on the lower back.