Coccyx

The coccyx, commonly called the tailbone, is the small triangular bone at the very base of your spine, formed by three to five fused vertebrae just below the sacrum.

Where the sacrum and coccyx meet — and why that area causes so much discomfort

Your coccyx sits at the bottom of your spine just below the sacrum — and understanding the relationship between the sacrum and coccyx helps explain why pain in this area can be so stubborn. It's the attachment point for several ligaments and muscles involved in supporting the pelvic floor and the surrounding structures. Despite its small size, pain in the coccyx — a condition called coccydynia — can be surprisingly disruptive.

Sitting for long periods, moving from sitting to standing, or any activity that puts direct pressure on the tailbone can produce sharp, aching, or throbbing pain. The pain often worsens with constipation or during certain movements and positions. A fall, prolonged pressure, or childbirth are among the most common causes, though sometimes no clear incident can be identified.

Why coccyx pain is often left untreated

Because the tailbone sits in a location that's difficult to discuss and even harder to treat with standard approaches, many people manage coccyx pain quietly for months or years. Physical therapy — including specialized work addressing the pelvic floor and surrounding structures — addresses the muscle tension and movement patterns that contribute to coccyx pain, and it can offer meaningful relief even when the pain has been present for a long time.

Why rest alone rarely resolves it

Avoiding pressure on the coccyx may reduce symptoms temporarily, but the muscle tension and structural factors that made the area sensitive in the first place tend to persist. A physical therapist can work with both the surrounding musculature and the movement patterns that are loading the area, giving the tissue a real chance to settle.

How Sword Health can help

A physical therapist with experience treating pelvic floor conditions can assess what's driving your coccyx pain and create a plan that addresses it directly. Sword connects you with that specialist-level care from home, making it easier to take the first step.