You might not think about your tailbone a lot. But when it’s injured, it’s a huge disruption to your everyday life. Sitting, driving, bending down, and sleeping can become uncomfortable if you’ve injured or irritated the base of your spine. And while tailbone pain is common in some cases, people don’t always know what to do about it.
The best way to move toward comfort and mobility is to know how the tailbone functions and how issues can show up.
1. Tailbone Injuries Aren’t Just a Problem When Sitting
The tailbone, also called the coccyx, sits at the very bottom of the spine to help support your balance when sitting, but it also plays a role when you’re moving. It’s a small part of your spine but a big part of your overall posture and weight distribution.
If your tailbone is injured or irritated, the muscles and ligaments around it may tighten to compensate, creating tension throughout your pelvis and hips. For a lot of people, the pain goes beyond the tailbone itself and may be felt throughout the back, especially after sitting for a long time or when standing up.
Even a small change to your movement causes strain on the joints and muscles near your tailbone. When strains or compensation patterns persist, they impact your spinal alignment and movement, potentially leading to a more serious issue.
2. Poor Posture Can Worsen Tailbone Pain
Your posture plays a big role in tailbone pain because it changes how pressure is spread throughout your spine. Slouching or sitting unevenly can increase stress on the tailbone and the area around it. If you already have irritation, this can make it even worse.
Long hours spent sitting on hard surfaces or leaning backward in a chair can also aggravate discomfort, especially because a lot of people shift their posture to avoid pressure without realizing. Unfortunately, that kind of adjustment can create new tension in the lower back and hips.
Dr. Thomas Keogh works with individuals experiencing spinal and postural imbalances that may contribute to discomfort throughout the body, including discomfort related to tailbone pain. Chiropractic adjustments help support proper alignment and encourage more balanced movement patterns to minimize pain and maximize proper function.
3. Recovery Can Be Slow
Tailbone injuries can take time to improve because that area of the spine is involved in so many everyday movements. Sitting, walking, and bending all place pressure on the lower spine, making it important to support the body during recovery.
The best way to reduce that stiffness and tension is by avoiding sitting for extended periods of time. Stand up regularly and incorporate gentle movements and stretches. Chiropractic adjustments also help because when the body is functioning more efficiently, it is easier to stay comfortable during everyday activities.
Our team at Bare Chiropractic is here to help you move well and feel your best. Dr. Thomas Keogh and our Billings chiropractic office are committed to supporting healthy spinal function and overall comfort. Contact us today to schedule your visit, and take the next step toward better movement and balance.
Sources
Bain, H.L., Mabrouk, A., Foye, P. “Coccyx Pain.” StatPearls, 2025 Aug 9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563139/
Lirette, L.S., Chaiban, G., Tolba, R., Eissa, H. “Coccydynia: An Overview of the Anatomy, Etiology, and Treatment of Coccyx Pain.” The Oschner Journal, 2014 Spring; 14 (1): 84–87. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3963058/
