Can you feel your tailbone sitting?

Answer From Margaret Moutvic, M.D. Tailbone pain — pain that occurs in or around the bony structure at the bottom of the spine (coccyx) — can be caused by trauma to the coccyx during a fall, prolonged sitting on a hard or narrow surface, degenerative joint changes, or vaginal childbirth.

Where can you feel your tailbone?

To feel your coccyx, slide your fingers down from the sacrum between each cheek of your bottom. You will feel a very small boney structure, and can often feel the tip of the coccyx (which will be very close to the anus!).

What does coccyx feel like?

Some people may experience tailbone pain as a dull, throbbing ache that feels like a muscle spasm, while others may feel a sharper, stabbing sensation. Pain around the coccyx can worsen when a person is physically active or sits for long periods.

Can you pull a muscle in your tailbone?

If this motion is repeated many times, the muscles and ligaments around your coccyx can become strained and stretched. Straining your muscles and ligaments can permanently damage them. If this happens, your muscles will no longer be able to hold your coccyx in the correct position, causing pain and discomfort.

Is your tailbone your coccyx?

The coccyx is a triangular arrangement of bone that makes up the very bottom portion of the spine below the sacrum. It represents a vestigial tail, hence the common term tailbone.

Is coxicks and tailbone the same?

Anatomy of the Coccyx (Tailbone) While it was originally thought that the coccyx is always fused together , it is now known that the coccyx is not one solid bone, but there is some limited movement between the bones permitted by fibrous joints and ligaments.

How long for tailbone injury to heal?

Tailbone injuries are painful and can take a long time to heal. Except for extreme injuries, the treatment for an injured tailbone is for the patient to rest and allow the body to repair itself. Bruised tailbones can take a matter of days to heal. Broken tailbones can take four to six weeks to heal.

What doctor treats tailbone pain?

Grant Hughes, MD, is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. Tailbone pain (coccydynia) can occur after trauma to the tailbone (a.k.a. coccyx) or another compromising issue, such as vaginal childbirth or degenerative joint changes.

What causes a painful tailbone with no injury?

Falls and other traumas can bruise, dislocate, or break your tailbone. Joint damage from repetitive motions or general wear and tear from aging can also contribute to tailbone pain. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the ligaments connected to and around the coccyx naturally loosen to make room for the baby.