What Is the Coccyx?
The coccyx is the small, tapered bone at the base of the spine, beneath the sacrum. Often called the tailbone, it connects with nearby ligaments, muscles, and pelvic tissues. The coccyx helps support the body while sitting and provides attachment points for structures involved in pelvic and lower back movement.
Quick Facts About Coccyx
Category
Lower spinal bone
Used for
Sitting support and tissue attachment
Common confusion
Often confused with the sacrum
Also called
Tailbone
Often discussed with
Back Pain Treatment, Corrective Exercise Therapy
Key Takeaways About Coccyx
- The coccyx sits below the sacrum at the spine’s lowest end.
- Nearby muscles and ligaments influence coccyx movement and sitting comfort.
- The coccyx is not the same structure as the sacroiliac joint.
How Coccyx Works
The coccyx works with the sacrum, pelvic floor muscles, and supporting ligaments during sitting and changes in pelvic position. Its movement is small, but nearby tissues can affect how force travels through the lower spine. Pressure on the area may feel different when you sit, lean back, or shift your weight.
Related glossary terms: Lumbar Spine, Pelvic Tilt, Posture Assessment.
Clinicians assess the coccyx through the location and pattern of discomfort, posture, movement, and tenderness in surrounding tissues. They may also examine the sacrum and pelvic floor because those structures share nearby connections. A coccyx concern can therefore involve more than the bone itself.
From the Advanced Injury Care Clinic team
When we assess the coccyx during Back Pain Treatment, we examine its position in relation to the sacrum, pelvis, and surrounding soft tissues. We also consider sitting posture, movement patterns, and tenderness to understand which structures may contribute to the patient’s symptoms.
Coccyx in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person develops pain near the tailbone after spending extended time seated on a firm surface. During Back Pain Treatment, the evaluation considers coccyx tenderness along with pelvic alignment, sitting posture, and nearby soft-tissue tension.
Related Services
Related Terms
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the spinal column between the thoracic spine and pelvis…
Pelvic Tilt
Pelvic Tilt is a change in the position of the pelvis that affects the alignment of…
Posture Assessment
Posture Assessment is a clinical observation process that examines body alignment, balance, movement habits, and related…
Advanced Injury Care Clinic
Have Questions About Coccyx?
Contact Advanced Injury Care Clinic for practical guidance on Coccyx and related chiropractor work in Brentwood.