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Published on: 7/14/2026
What can cause tailbone pain when sitting down and getting up, and what are the treatment options?
Tailbone pain that flares up when sitting down or standing up is known as coccydynia. Common causes include falls or direct injury, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, childbirth, repetitive strain, and, less often, infections or tumors near the coccyx. Symptoms typically include sharp or aching pain at the base of the spine, tenderness to touch, and discomfort during bowel movements or intercourse.
Treatment usually starts with conservative options: cushioned or wedge-shaped seats, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, targeted stretches, warm compresses, and physical therapy. Persistent cases may require corticosteroid injections or, rarely, surgery.
Because tailbone pain can stem from many different underlying causes—some minor, some serious—it's worth understanding your specific symptoms before choosing a treatment path. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify likely causes based on your unique health profile and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's home care or seeing a specialist. It only takes a few minutes and could save you weeks of guesswork.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026
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Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, often happens when you sit down or stand up. This pain can be due to a fall or a small injury, or it might come from sitting too long on hard surfaces. The tailbone may become inflamed or irritated when it is pressed repeatedly.
To help ease the pain at home, you can use a donut-shaped cushion or a soft pillow when you sit; this takes pressure off your tailbone. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may help reduce the pain and swelling. Gentle stretches or warm sitz baths can also relax the muscles around the tailbone. If the pain does not get better, your doctor might suggest physical therapy to help strengthen and stretch the muscles in your lower back and pelvic area.
In some cases, if the pain is very severe or lasts a long time, further treatments like injections or surgery may be considered. If you experience ongoing or worsening pain, you can check your symptoms with Ubie's free AI-powered tool and talk with your healthcare provider to get the proper care.
(References)
Foye PM. Coccydynia: Tailbone Pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2017 Aug;28(3):539-549. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2017.03.006. Epub 2017 May 27. PMID: 28676363.
Garg B, Ahuja K. Coccydynia-A comprehensive review on etiology, radiological features and management options. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 Jan;12(1):123-129. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2020.09.025. Epub 2020 Sep 24. Erratum in: J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 Oct;21:101561. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.101561. PMID: 33716437; PMCID: PMC7920198.
Mabrouk A, Alloush A, Foye P. Coccyx Pain. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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