Postpartum Tailbone Pain: Causes and Treatment
If you're experiencing tailbone pain after having a baby, you're not alone. Many women expect soreness in their abdomen, pelvic floor, or perineum after childbirth, but tailbone pain can come as an unpleasant surprise. Simple activities like sitting to feed your baby, getting up from a chair, or driving can suddenly become painful.
The good news? Postpartum tailbone pain is common, treatable, and often responds well to pelvic floor physical therapy.
What Is Postpartum Tailbone Pain?
Postpartum tailbone pain, also known as postpartum coccydynia, is pain in or around the coccyx (tailbone) following childbirth. The tailbone sits at the bottom of the spine and serves as an attachment point for several pelvic floor muscles and ligaments. During pregnancy and delivery, this area experiences significant stress and movement.
Pain may feel sharp, achy, bruised, or tender. Many women notice symptoms when:
Sitting, especially on hard surfaces
Leaning backward while seated
Moving from sitting to standing
Driving
Having a bowel movement
Participating in sexual activity
While some discomfort improves within a few weeks, persistent tailbone pain is not something you simply have to "live with" after having a baby.
What Causes Tailbone Pain After Childbirth?
Several factors can contribute to postpartum tailbone pain.
1. Pressure During Vaginal Delivery
During labor, the tailbone naturally moves backward to allow more room for your baby to pass through the birth canal. In some cases, the pressure from the baby's head can overstretch the surrounding ligaments or irritate the joints of the coccyx.
Long pushing phases, larger babies, and difficult deliveries can increase the amount of stress placed on the tailbone.
2. Tailbone Bruising, Dislocation, or Injury
Occasionally, the coccyx can become bruised, strained, or even slightly displaced during birth. Assisted deliveries involving forceps or vacuum extraction may increase the risk of injury.
Although fractures are uncommon, they can occur and may require additional medical evaluation.
3. Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction
Many people assume pelvic floor muscles are only weak after childbirth. In reality, these muscles can also become tight, overactive, or protective following delivery.
Because several pelvic floor muscles attach directly to the tailbone, excessive tension can pull on the coccyx and contribute to ongoing pain. This is one of the most common causes of persistent postpartum tailbone discomfort.
4. Pregnancy-Related Ligament Changes
Throughout pregnancy, hormones such as relaxin help loosen ligaments to prepare the pelvis for childbirth. While necessary, these changes can create temporary instability around the pelvis and tailbone, making the area more vulnerable to irritation during and after delivery.
5. Prolonged Sitting While Caring for Your Baby
New motherhood often involves long periods of sitting while feeding, holding, and soothing your baby. If the tailbone is already irritated, prolonged sitting can increase pressure and delay recovery.
How Long Does Postpartum Tailbone Pain Last?
Every recovery is different. Mild cases may improve within a few weeks, while more significant injuries can take several months to fully resolve.
Many women notice gradual improvement within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum as tissues heal and inflammation decreases. However, if pain persists beyond this timeframe or interferes with daily activities, seeking professional treatment is recommended.
Treatment for Postpartum Tailbone Pain
The best treatment depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Modify Sitting Positions
Reducing pressure on the tailbone is often the first step.
Helpful strategies include:
Sitting on a coccyx cushion with a tailbone cutout
Avoiding slouched postures
Shifting weight onto your sit bones
Taking frequent standing and walking breaks
These simple changes can reduce irritation and support healing.
Address Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
When pelvic floor muscles are contributing to tailbone pain, strengthening exercises alone are often not enough.
A pelvic floor physical therapist can evaluate whether your muscles are tight, weak, uncoordinated, or compensating for injury. Treatment may include:
Pelvic floor muscle relaxation techniques
Manual therapy
Mobility work
Core and pelvic stabilization exercises
Because the pelvic floor and tailbone are closely connected, treating the underlying muscle dysfunction frequently leads to significant symptom improvement.
Improve Mobility and Strength
Gentle movement can help reduce stiffness and improve blood flow to healing tissues.
Depending on your symptoms, your therapist may recommend:
Pelvic tilts
Gentle stretching
Walking programs
Core retraining
Glute strengthening
A personalized approach is important because some exercises may worsen symptoms if performed too early or incorrectly.
Manage Inflammation
Your healthcare provider may recommend anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate. Ice, heat, and activity modification can also provide temporary symptom relief.
When Should You Seek Help?
Consider scheduling an evaluation if:
Persistent tailbone pain is not simply part of motherhood. Identifying the root cause early can help you recover more quickly and comfortably.
You Don't Have to Live With Tailbone Pain
Postpartum recovery looks different for everyone, but ongoing tailbone pain is not something you should ignore. Whether your symptoms stem from childbirth-related injury, pelvic floor tension, or lingering postpartum changes, effective treatment options are available.
At Bonneville Pelvic Health, our pelvic floor physical therapists specialize in identifying the root cause of postpartum pain and creating individualized treatment plans that help women return to sitting, moving, exercising, and caring for their families with confidence.
If postpartum tailbone pain is affecting your daily life, we're here to help.
Written By:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Specializing in Pregnancy, Postpartum & Pelvic Health
With a passion for supporting women through pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery, Dr. Asia is dedicated to helping her patients feel strong, confident, and empowered. She provides compassionate, evidence-based, patient-centered care and is committed to creating an encouraging environment where every individual feels heard and supported throughout their journey.
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