Spine, Back & Neck

Coccydynia

Pain at the very base of the spine, usually worse when sitting.

Also called: Tailbone pain.

Coccydynia describes pain around the coccyx. It often follows a fall, childbirth or prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, and sometimes has no clear starting point.

It can involve the joint at the base of the tailbone, surrounding ligaments, or nearby muscle, and the pattern of what worsens or eases it helps clarify which is most involved.

Why this matters

Sitting, driving and standing up from a chair are the daily activities most affected, which makes work and travel difficult.

Because sitting is so common, this condition often has an outsized effect on daily comfort relative to how minor it may look on the surface.

The brain & nervous-system connection

Where the nervous system fits in

The base of the spine and pelvic floor are closely linked to how the pelvis loads and how protective muscle tone is set.

Evaluation looks at pelvic alignment and how load is distributed through sitting positions, since these factors influence ongoing irritation at the tailbone.

What we look at

We look for patterns, not a single test

  • Detailed health history and consultation
  • NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
  • Posture and movement
  • Balance and coordination testing
  • Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
  • Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
  • Palpation and spinal function
  • Other examination procedures based on the individual

Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.

Scope of care

What this does — and doesn't — mean

What we do

  • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
  • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
  • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
  • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
  • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.

What we don't claim

  • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
  • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
  • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
  • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.

Common questions

Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
Do I need imaging before I come in?
Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.

When medical evaluation may be needed

Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.

Related at Foothills Chiropractic

  • Low Back Pain & SciaticaLow back pain is common, but the place that hurts is not always where the problem is being driven from.
  • Back PainOne of the most common reasons people look for a chiropractor — and rarely as simple as one sore muscle.
  • Cervical Disc HerniationDisc change in the neck, sometimes with arm symptoms.
  • Cervical SpondylosisAge-related change in the neck joints and discs, often seen on imaging.

Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?

Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.

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