How to Know If You Have a Bruised Tailbone and What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever had a bruised tailbone, you know how painful it can be. The tailbone, also called the coccyx, is a small, triangular bone at the base of the spine. It connects to several muscles and ligaments in the pelvis. This is why even simple activities like sitting, standing, or bending can hurt after an injury.

A bruised tailbone can usually heal with time and at-home care. But it’s also important to know when tailbone pain might point to something more serious, such as a broken bone.

What causes a bruised tailbone?

A bruised tailbone happens when the area at the very bottom of the spine is injured. The most common cause is falling backward into a seated position. But it can happen in other ways too. Tailbone injuries can be caused by:

• Direct impact from activities like sledding or riding a water park slide

• Sitting on an uncomfortable surface for an extended period of time

• Repeated pressure or irritation from activities like biking or horseback riding

• Childbirth, especially a prolonged or difficult delivery

• Car accidents

These injuries can lead to swelling, inflammation, and damage to the small blood vessels surrounding the tailbone. This causes pain that’s usually felt at the bottom of the spine, where the lower back meets the buttocks.  

Symptoms of a bruised tailbone

The symptoms of a bruised tailbone include:

• Pain or tenderness in the lower back and top of the buttocks

• Discomfort that gets worse when sitting, moving from sitting to standing, or bending forward 

• Tailbone pain during bowel movements

• Visible swelling or bruising around the base of the spine

How do you treat a bruised tailbone?

A bruised tailbone usually heals over time. But there are things you can do to help the recovery process:

• Avoid activities and movements that make the pain worse. Examples include cycling, abdominal crunches, or other exercises that put pressure on the coccyx. 

• Sit on a tailbone cushion. This helps keep pressure off the tailbone, and it’ll make sitting more comfortable. 

• Shift your weight. When sitting, try leaning forward or shifting your weight from one side of your buttocks to the other. This can alleviate pressure on the tailbone.

• Use ice. Applying ice to the affected area can reduce pain and inflammation. This will be most helpful in the first 48 hours, but it’s safe to continue using ice if it helps.

• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Options include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).

• Prevent constipation. Keeping stools soft helps you poop without straining. This is important since straining puts pressure on the coccyx, which can cause pain.

• Stay active while healing. Try low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga.

Some people may also benefit from physical therapy if the symptoms aren’t improving.

How long does it take a bruised tailbone to heal?

A bruised tailbone often improves in about 4 weeks. It might be shorter or longer, depending on the person. But your pain should steadily improve over that time period as the injury heals.

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Written by:

Michael Dreis, MD

Dr. Dreis is an emergency medicine physician currently practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went to medical school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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