Causes of Pain
Accidental Falls
Direct force on the tailbone may cause misalignment, sprain, or in rare cases, fracturing of the coccyx. A fall can also sprain the surrounding ligaments and strain the muscles. This can cause severe pain, which can last for many years if not properly treated.Childbirth
As the baby passes through the birth canal, it comes in contact with the tailbone. It is possible to injure the tailbone in cases where the coccyx is tilted forward into the birth canal (from a past injury) or if the baby is larger in size. The position of the coccyx can decrease the diameter of the birth canal, which may cause difficult deliveries and lead to re-injury with subsequent pregnancies. For females, it is important to fix past coccyx injuries in order to reduce the chances of re-injury if they give birth again.Childhood Tailbone Injury
Children are frequently falling on their bottoms. These falls can cause injury to the tailbone. Many adults present with tailbone injuries with no known cause. These cases may be a flare up of a childhood injury that was irritated by numerous incidents including gaining weight, giving birth, or siting long periods at a desk job.