Why Is My Tailbone Sore After Birth?
Giving birth is a huge physical event, and it's completely normal to feel a little sore afterward. But if you’re dealing with ongoing tailbone (coccyx) pain after birth, you’re not alone and it’s not something you have to just “put up with.”
At Tugun Osteopathy, we regularly see new mums experiencing postpartum coccyx pain, and there’s a lot that can be done to help.
The coccyx, or tailbone, sits at the very base of your spine and acts as an attachment point for several important muscles, ligaments, and tendons, including multiple pelvic floor muscles. These pelvic floor muscles form a supportive hammock that spans the bottom of the pelvis, helping to stabilise the spine and support the bladder, bowel, and uterus.
During pregnancy and birth, these muscles stretch significantly to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Because several pelvic floor muscles attach directly to the coccyx, any tension, strain, or injury in this area can place additional pull on the tailbone, leading to pain or inflammation after birth.
What Causes Tailbone Pain After Birth?
During pregnancy and childbirth, it’s subject to a lot of pressure and movement. Some common causes of sore tailbone postpartum include:
Direct Trauma During Birth
In a vaginal delivery, the baby’s head can place intense pressure on the coccyx as it moves through the birth canal. As the baby descends through the pelvis and birth canal, it comes into contact with the coccyx, causing flexion of their head, and expulsion then occurs. This contact with the coccyx bone can result in bruising or even fractures.
Prolonged Pushing or Difficult Labour
Long pushing stages, especially in a back-lying or semi-reclined position, can contribute to injury as the coccyx and sacrum move posteriorly to make way for the baby. When the mother is lying on her back, there is often less space for these structures to move freely, which can increase pressure on the coccyx and lead to pain and inflammation.
Epidural or Instrumental Delivery
Deliveries that involve forceps, vacuum, or epidurals may increase the likelihood of pelvic floor tension or coccyx strain due to positioning and lack of muscle awareness during pushing.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Most pelvic floor muscles attach to your coccyx bone if these muscles are tight or imbalanced they can pull on the coccyx.
What Does Tailbone Pain Feel Like?
Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, can feel like:
A dull ache at the base of the spine
Sharp pain when sitting, standing up, or going to the toilet
Discomfort during breastfeeding, driving, or sleeping
Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, especially on hard surfaces
How Osteopathy Can Help Tailbone Pain Postpartum
Osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on therapy that looks at the whole body, not just the site of pain. Here’s how it can support your recovery:
Assessing Pelvic Alignment
Childbirth can shift the position of the pelvis and sacrum. Osteopaths can assess and gently realign the pelvis, reducing pressure on the coccyx.
Releasing Tension in Surrounding Muscles
The glutes, pelvic floor, and lower back muscles often tighten to protect the tailbone. Osteopathic techniques can ease this tension and help you move more freely.
Improving Blood Flow and Healing
Soft tissue techniques and gentle mobilisation can reduce inflammation and promote better circulation to the injured area, speeding up tailbone recovery.
Postural and Movement Advice
We’ll help you modify how you sit, lift, and move to reduce ongoing strain on your coccyx while it heals especially important while caring for a newborn.
Pelvic Floor Care and Support
We can assess the pelvic floor to identify areas of strain, tension, or injury. We aim to reduce any pelvic floor muscle tension to reduce any pulling on the coccyx bone and we support optimal pelvic floor function, through a thorough assessment, treatment and management plan.
When Should I Seek Help?
You should consider seeing an osteopath if:
Tailbone pain is persistent beyond 2–4 weeks postpartum
You find it hard to sit or feed comfortably
Pain is affecting your sleep, movement, or bonding with baby
You experienced a difficult delivery or instrumental birth
Tailbone pain after childbirth is common, but not normal. You don’t have to suffer in silence or wait for it to "go away on its own." With the right support, your body can heal more quickly and comfortably.
At Tugun Osteopathy, we offer safe, personalised osteopathic treatment for the postpartum mum, helping new mums feel more at ease in their bodies again.
Book an appointment today if you’re struggling with a sore tailbone after birth we’re here to help, or check out abit more about our pelvic health assessments here.