The tailbone or coccyx is the lowest segment of the vertebral column and is composed of three to five fused vertebrae. The condition in which you experience pain or discomfort in or around the tailbone is called coccydinia. Tailbone pain can occur due to an injury, but often the cause of the pain is unknown. However, repeated motions such as cycling can lead to coccydinia. There are ways of treating the condition and even changing your bicycle to relieve some painful symptoms.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you experience coccydinia when bicycling, first consider any obvious causes for your tailbone pain. If you have not had an obvious injury, or if you didn't experience a difficult pregnancy and delivery, which can also cause coccyx pain, your pain may be caused by bicycling, or the cycling may be exacerbating a problem related to a fracture or an infection. A physical exam by a doctor, along with an X-ray or MRI, may help reveal the source of your problem. Be prepared to explain the nature of your pain, when it occurs and what makes it subside.
Specially Designed Seats
If bicycling is the source of your problem, you're certainly not alone. Coccydinia is such a common problem that bicycle seat manufacturers have produced a wide range of seats to help relieve pressure on the tailbone. Though they range in appearance, the special bike seats generally have a gap in the seat below the coccyx, so there is nothing pushing back against the tailbone and the buttocks and pelvis take more of the pressure of sitting and riding on a bike.
Treatment Options
You may be able to treat coccydinia with anti-inflammatory medications and rest. However, the forward-leaning position that's used while bicycling can put pressure on the coccyx that stretches the ligaments and muscles to the point where the muscles supporting the coccyx can no longer hold the tailbone in place. Permanent damage can occur, and in serious cases, surgery may be needed to address the problem.
Lifestyle Changes
If your tailbone pain is severe and a doctor determines that bicycling will only continue to aggravate it, you may have to find a different form exercise. If the pain is mild or infrequent, you can make some adjustments, such as sitting in a hard chair rather than a soft one that allows you to sink into a seat and put all the pressure on your coccyx. Sleeping on your side or front can also help, as can losing weight, if you are obese, to reduce the amount of weight the coccyx and the entire spine must support.
