Many patients come to me with a very peculiar complaint: “Doctor, my back is fine, but I have pain exactly at the end of my spine – especially when sitting!”
This condition is called Coccydynia or Tailbone Pain (locally referred to as “Coccyx” pain). While it may sound small, it can make daily activities like sitting, driving, or even bending forward extremely uncomfortable.
In this blog, I will explain what causes tailbone pain, when you should seek medical help, treatment options, and how people in Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal and nearby cities can find relief.
🦴 What is Tailbone (Coccyx) Pain?
The coccyx is the very last bone at the bottom of your spine. It looks like a small tail – hence the name tailbone.
When this bone becomes inflamed, injured, or strained, it leads to pain and tenderness, especially when:
- Sitting on a hard chair
- Standing up after sitting
- Bending forward
- Using the toilet
- During long drives
🤔 Causes of Tailbone Pain
Tailbone pain can happen to anyone – men, women, young, or above 60+ Some common causes include:
- Injury or Fall – Slipping on stairs, falling directly on your bottom, or road accidents.
- Prolonged Sitting – Students, IT professionals, and drivers who sit for long hours often complain of coccyx pain.
- Pregnancy & Childbirth – Women may develop coccyx pain during late pregnancy or after delivery due to pressure on pelvic bones.
- Obesity or Very Lean Build – Both extremes can put extra strain on the coccyx.
- Degeneration or Arthritis – With age, changes in the lower spine can irritate the coccyx.
- Unknown Causes – Sometimes, pain appears without any obvious injury.
⚠️ Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Persistent pain at the lower back end (just above buttocks)
- Pain worsens while sitting on hard surfaces
- Discomfort during bowel movements or intercourse (in females)
- Swelling, redness, or tenderness near the tailbone
If these symptoms last more than 2–3 weeks, it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist.
🏥 How Tailbone Pain is Diagnosed
In Indore, patients often come after trying home remedies like cushions or painkillers, but a proper diagnosis is important.
We use:
- Clinical examination – to check tenderness and movement
- X-ray – to rule out fractures
- MRI Scan – if we suspect deeper issues like infection or slipped disc
💊 Treatment Options for Tailbone Pain
The good news is – most patients improve without surgery.
1. Lifestyle Changes
- Use soft cushions or “doughnut pillows” 🪑
- Avoid sitting for long hours
- Take breaks during driving or office work
2. Medications
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers (for short duration)
- Local gel application
- Strengthening exercises for lower back and pelvic muscles
- Gentle stretching for flexibility
4. Injections 💉
For patients with severe pain, local steroid injections can provide long-term relief.
5. Advanced Care in Indore
At my clinic, we also use:
- Ultrasound-guided coccyx injections
- PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy – helps reduce inflammation naturally
- Surgery (Rare Cases)
If nothing works, coccygectomy (removal of coccyx) is considered – but this is extremely rare.
👩⚕️ Patient Testimonial
“I am a school teacher from Ujjain. For months, I couldn’t sit for more than 15 minutes without terrible pain. I visited Dr. Khandelwal in Indore. He explained my problem in simple words, gave me an injection and physiotherapy advice. Today, I can sit comfortably in class and do my job happily again. Thank you, Doctor!” – Mrs. Rekha, 42
Prevention Tips – Protect Your Tailbone
- Sit on cushioned chairs or use a coccyx pillow
- Avoid sudden falls and use handrails on stairs
- Maintain healthy weight ⚖️
- Regular stretching and exercise
- Consult early if pain persists more than 2 weeks
🙏 हिंदी भाषी मरीजों के लिए सारांश
टेल बोन (कॉकसिक्स) का दर्द एक आम समस्या है, जो लंबे समय तक बैठने, गिरने, गर्भावस्था या अधिक वजन की वजह से हो सकता है। इस दर्द की वजह से कुर्सी पर बैठना, गाड़ी चलाना या झुकना मुश्किल हो जाता है।
ज़्यादातर मामलों में बिना सर्जरी के इलाज संभव है:
- मुलायम कुशन या डोनट पिलो पर बैठना 🪑
- फिजियोथेरेपी और व्यायाम
- दर्द कम करने की दवाइयाँ और इंजेक्शन 💉
- कुछ मामलों में PRP जैसी आधुनिक तकनीक
सर्जरी बहुत ही कम मामलों में की जाती है।
👉 संदेश: अगर यह दर्द 2–3 हफ्तों से ज्यादा समय तक बना रहे, तो विशेषज्ञ डॉक्टर से तुरंत सलाह लें। समय पर इलाज से दर्द पूरी तरह ठीक हो सकता है।
🌍 muhtasari kwa wagonjwa wa kimataifa barani Afrika
Maumivu ya mfupa wa mkia (coccyx pain) ni tatizo la kawaida linalosababisha maumivu makali wakati wa kukaa, kuendesha gari au kuinama. Sababu kuu ni kuanguka, kukaa muda mrefu, ujauzito, au uzito kupita kiasi.
Matibabu yanaweza kuwa:
- Kutumia mto laini wakati wa kukaa 🪑
- Mazoezi na tiba ya viungo (physiotherapy)
- Dawa za kupunguza maumivu na sindano 💉
- Tiba za kisasa kama PRP kwa wagonjwa maalum
Upasuaji unahitajika mara chache sana.Ujumbe: Usipuuze maumivu ya kudumu ya kukaa. Wasiliana na daktari bingwa mapema ili kuepuka madhara ya muda mrefu na kubaki na afya njema ya mgongo. 🙌✅
❓ FAQs – Patients Also Ask
1. Can tailbone pain go away on its own?
Yes, mild tailbone pain often improves within a few weeks with rest, cushions, and lifestyle changes. But if it lasts more than 2–3 weeks, you should consult an orthopedic specialist.
2. When should I see a doctor for tailbone pain?
If your pain is severe, persistent, or makes sitting, driving, or daily work difficult, it’s time to consult. Sudden pain after a fall also needs medical evaluation.
3. Is tailbone pain related to piles or spine problems?
Tailbone pain is different from piles or slipped disc pain, but sometimes symptoms overlap. A doctor’s check-up helps differentiate and guide proper treatment.
4. What is the fastest way to relieve tailbone pain?
Using a soft cushion, avoiding long sitting, applying hot/cold packs, and taking prescribed medicines can give quick relief. In severe cases, injections or physiotherapy may be needed.
5. Can tailbone pain be cured without surgery?
Yes ✅! In most cases, surgery is not required. Non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, injections, and lifestyle modifications are highly effective.
🏁 Conclusion
Tailbone (coccyx) pain may sound minor, but it can seriously affect your quality of life if ignored. The good news is that with early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, and minimally invasive treatments, most people recover fully without surgery.
As an orthopedic surgeon in Indore, serving patients from Ujjain, Bhopal, Ratlam, and across Madhya Pradesh, my advice is simple: don’t ignore persistent sitting pain. Book a consultation, get evaluated, and let’s work together to get you back to a pain-free life. 🙌👉 To book an appointment, visit www.dranupamkhandelwal.com or call my clinic directly.
👨⚕️ About Dr. Anupam Khandelwal
Dr. Anupam Khandelwal is a highly experienced Orthopedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. With advanced expertise in Robotic Knee Replacement, 3D Knee Resurfacing, Hip Replacement Surgery , and Complex Trauma Surgeries, he has helped thousands of patients regain mobility and return to a pain-free, active life.
He is known for adopting the latest minimally invasive and robotic techniques, which ensure:
✅ Faster recovery
✅ Less pain & blood loss
✅ Precise joint alignment
✅ Early return to normal activities
Dr. Khandelwal treats patients not only from Indore but also from across Bhopal, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ratlam, Khargone, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Khandwa, and other cities of Madhya Pradesh. Many international patients also travel from Africa and other countries for his advanced joint replacement surgeries.