Tailbone Pain Treatment in Largo, FL
Are you struggling with stubborn tailbone pain (coccydynia) that gets worse when sitting or standing up?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to live with it anymore!
What is Tailbone Pain?
Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, is a condition that many people silently suffer with. It often stems from coccyx subluxation, which means the small bone at the base of your spine, called the coccyx, is misaligned. This issue can cause persistent, sharp, or aching pain in the very bottom of your spine, especially when sitting on hard surfaces, standing up from sitting, or during certain movements.
What Causes Coccyx Pain?
The coccyx (tailbone) is made up of three to five small bones at the end of your spine. Although tiny, it plays a big role in supporting your posture and pelvic floor. When it gets injured, misaligned, or overly stiff (or even too loose), it can lead to irritation and chronic pain.
Most common causes include:
Falling directly on the buttocks or trauma to the tailbone (such as slipping on ice)
Childbirth or pelvic strain
Symptoms of Coccyx Misalignment
You might be dealing with coccyx subluxation if you’re experiencing:
Pain or tenderness at the base of your spine with standing from a seated position
Discomfort that worsens with sitting long periods of time
Pain during bowel movements or sexual activity
A feeling of pressure or misalignment when sitting back
A clicking or popping sensation when moving
Pain with exercise or general movement
Conditions We Treat
Coccyx subluxation — the tailbone is displaced from its normal position, causing sharp pain with sitting or transitioning to standing
Coccyx fracture or bruising — from a fall, impact, or childbirth
Hypermobile coccyx — excessive movement of the tailbone causing instability and pain
Rigid or hypomobile coccyx — fused or stiff tailbone that creates pain with pressure
Pelvic floor dysfunction — tight or imbalanced pelvic floor muscles pulling on the coccyx
Post-childbirth coccydynia — tailbone pain following vaginal delivery
Chronic coccydynia — long-standing tailbone pain that hasn't resolved with rest, injections, or other treatments
How Do We Help?
At our practice, we specialize in diagnosing and treating tailbone pain through safe, non-invasive, methods. Every patient receives personalized care focused on understanding the root cause of their discomfort.
Our coccyx care approach includes:
Comprehensive Evaluation: We assess posture, movement, and mobility to identify the source of the pain.
Manual Therapy: Gentle, hands-on techniques to release tension and realign the coccyx and surrounding tissues. We provide both external and internal mobilization of the coccyx based on thorough evaluation.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: When needed, we address tight or imbalanced muscles that can contribute to coccyx pain.
Tailored Self-Care Plans: We’ll guide you through specific movements to support healing, improve sitting posture, and prevent pain from returning.
Our goal is to help you feel better, move freely, and get back to enjoying your life without the constant pain.
Most patients with tailbone pain see meaningful improvement in three visits or less, including cases that have persisted for months or years. No referral needed. Florida is a direct access state.
Patient testimonial:
“Where do I start, praising Dr. Kabakov or describing my accident?
Well 1 ½ years ago I fell, and when I say I fell I mean I FELL hard in a cave onto a rock right on my tailbone. Well, so to say the least, I had been living in pain for one year. I was not even able to lay on my back in bed and required a donut/special cushion to sit down. The cushion still didn’t relieve the pain but I had to try something, that’s how bad the pain was. It never got below a 8 and mostly stayed at a 10!
I even had pain when running for the first mile and even swimming every time no matter the stretches, (but then I became numb to the pain and just accepted it if I wanted to work out)! I was called a wimp because I couldn’t do a sit up, I honestly had to roll on my side to sit up. I did everything I could for one year before I met Dr. Kabakov for the first time.
I saw my regular Doctor, had x-rays taken to show that I had compressions in my coccyx and that I should go to physical therapy. Well, I did what they said because well I thought they knew what the best thing was for me. I had a chiropractor that I would see regularly, and massages to help relieve the pain but NOTHING worked. I honestly contemplated surgery and even getting my tailbone taken/shaved off, if that was even possible. Needless to say, people looked at me like I was crazy!
I then sat back and thought of more options! So I called Dr. Kabakov and explained to him the situation and on my first visit with him and telling him about my accident he knew what needed to be done.
Dr. Kabakov had suggested Coccyx manipulation, and not going to lie I was very hesitant to have it done but I trusted him immensely and I knew he had my best interest at heart, and during my 1st appointment we decided to go ahead and do the coccyx manipulation.
Dr. Kabakov is and was so professional and made me feel comfortable. I was not nervous because I knew he had my best interest at heart. At the end of the visit, I was in complete shock because the procedure was so much less intense then I imagined and I immediately felt relief, my pain reduced from a 10/10 to a 4/10.
I couldn’t believe what that I suffered for over a year with this pain, and one visit almost took it away completely. The pain affected every aspect of my life. I had the treatment done three times, and every time the pain has decreased further. I can now actually do a sit up, lay on my back, and sit in any chair without a donut/special cushion.
After the three visits, I then returned to my primary doctor to have another x-ray of the tailbone to see the progression, and the improvements were amazing. I am still in amazement that I can do a sit up and the max pain I feel is a 1/10, and a lot of that is scar tissue that I have on my coccyx and the area surrounding.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Tailbone Pain Treatment
How long does tailbone pain usually last?
Without treatment, coccydynia can persist for months or even years, especially when the underlying cause (joint restriction, muscle tension, or altered movement patterns) isn't addressed. With targeted manual therapy, most patients see significant relief within 1–4 visits. The longer it has been present, the more sessions it typically requires, which is why early treatment is worth pursuing.
What causes tailbone pain to flare up when sitting?
The coccyx is under direct compressive load when you sit, especially on hard surfaces or in a slouched position. If the coccygeal joint is restricted, inflamed, or the surrounding muscles are in spasm, sitting becomes painful quickly. A coccyx cushion (donut pillow) reduces pressure and can help in the short term, but it doesn't address the underlying restriction. That's what manual therapy is for.
Can physical therapy help tailbone pain after childbirth?
Yes! Postpartum coccydynia is one of the more common presentations we treat. The coccyx can be traumatized during vaginal delivery, leading to persistent pain that makes sitting, standing up, or caring for a newborn genuinely difficult. Manual therapy is safe postpartum and typically very effective. You don't need to just "wait it out."
Is tailbone pain treatment painful?
The treatment itself is generally not painful. Manual therapy to the coccygeal region uses gentle, specific techniques to restore mobility and reduce muscle tension. Most patients report significant relief during or immediately after the first session.
Do I need imaging before starting physical therapy for tailbone pain?
Not usually. Most cases of coccydynia are diagnosed clinically, through your history and a hands-on evaluation without requiring X-ray or MRI. If we suspect a fracture or something more serious, we'll refer you for imaging. Otherwise, we can get started right away.