Coccyx or tailbone pain, or coccydynia, is an uncomfortable, sometimes excruciating, condition. The pain at the end of your spine can have various causes. These include fractures, dislocations, bruising, and damage from prolonged sitting, falls, repetitive strain injuries (RSI), pregnancy or childbirth, and, in rare instances, illness. Health conditions increasing the risk for coccydynia include infections such as osteomyelitis or tuberculosis or diseases such as colorectal and prostate cancer and chordoma.
- What Is Coccyx Pain?
- Who Experiences Coccydynia?
- How Is Coccyx Pain Treated?
- Choosing the Best Pillow for Coccyx Pain
- Amazon’s Overall Pick: Everlasting Comfort Cooling Gel Infused Seat Cushion
- Extra Large Comfort: Benazcap X Large Memory Seat Cushion
- Premium, Top-Rated Support: Type S Smoothing Premium Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion
- Value for Money Donut: Ergonomic Innovations Orthopedic Donut Pillow
- An Amazon’s Choice Gel Product: SelectSoma Ergonomic Gel Seat Cushion
- How to Use a Pillow for Coccyx Pain
- What to Consider When Choosing a Pillow for Coccyx Pain
- How to Prevent Coccyx Pain
What Is Coccyx Pain?
The area comprises three to five fused bone segments, connecting several muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Given the coccyx’s position, the pain worsens when sitting and rising from sitting to standing. As it facilitates weight-bearing support when seated, disabling pain in the tailbone can interfere with daily tasks and reduce quality of life.
The sensation is characterized as piercing or as a dull ache, and beyond sitting, it can be triggered during sex and bowel movements. Back pain or sciatica, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and sleep disorders may also accompany it.
Who Experiences Coccydynia?
Coccyx pain among American adults is prevalent. The ailment is reported to be five times more likely among biological females and those who are obese or severely underweight. Those who spend extended periods sitting, such as truck drivers, office workers, and those in wheelchairs, may also be more vulnerable to coccydynia.
How Is Coccyx Pain Treated?
Treating your tailbone pain is straightforward: rest, cold or heat application, hot bath, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, pain killers, and stool softeners. Typically, the pain resolves within a matter of weeks or months.
However, if the pain is not relieved with home remedies, your medical professional may recommend non-surgical treatments. These can include physical therapy, numbing injections, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massages, acupuncture, or, as a last resort, surgery to remove part of or the entire coccyx. You can also help ease the discomfort when sitting using a wedge or donut-shaped pillow.
Choosing the Best Pillow for Coccyx Pain
Why use a specially designed pillow for coccyx pain? This ergonomically shaped cushion comfortably contours to your body when you sit, helping boost blood circulation and relieve pressure and tailbone pain. Research suggests that using a coccyx pillow, even without medication, can help coccydynia heal in nine out of ten instances.
However, which type and brand of pillow should you choose? With numerous products available, selecting the right option may be tricky. To help, here’s a list of some well-rated cushions as inspiration.
Amazon’s Overall Pick: Everlasting Comfort Cooling Gel Infused Seat Cushion
- Doctor Recommended Support & Comfort: Our memory foam seat cushion offers exceptional comfort and support, reducing tailbone pain and promoting healthy posture. Ideal for long sitting sessions
- 100 Percent Gel Memory Foam Cushion: Made from premium, 100 percent gel infused memory foam, our cushion is ventilated for exceptional cooling properties. Ultimate comfort as a gaming chair cushion, desk chair cushion, or wheelchair cushions
- Soft & Breathable Cover: Our seat cushion for car features a machine-washable, breathable cover that is easy to clean. The non-slip bottom keeps the butt pillow in place, ensuring stability and comfort
This versatile ventilated gel-infused memory foam cushion uses heat-responsive technology to conform to and cradle your body while keeping you cool. The “U” shaped design with cutout helps suspend your tailbone to relieve pressure and pain. Use it at work, in the car, on a plane, on a mobility scooter, on the floor, or while relaxing.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
| Well-designed and durable Comfort and support Texturized bottom for stability Machine-washable cover Latex-free OKEO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified Climate-pledge friendly User rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars | The design may not suit all body types It may be too firm for some. It may be too thick/high for some. It is not wide enough for larger people. Reports of flattening after a few months. |
Extra Large Comfort: Benazcap X Large Memory Seat Cushion
- 🏅【Ergonomic and X Large Design for Superior Comfort】Our memory foam seat cushion is expertly crafted to enhance your posture and cradle your thighs and hips. The generous size provides unmatched comfort during long periods of sitting.
- 🏅【Transform Any Chair into a Personal Throne】Say goodbye to back pains and numb legs with our soft hip and thigh cushioning, which instantly upgrades any ordinary seating into a luxurious experience.
- 🏅【Easy to Clean and Non-Slip】Our seat cushion comes with a removable and machine-washable cover, making it easy to maintain hygiene. The non-slip rubber bottom ensures optimal seat cushion position and prevents sliding for added security.
For larger individuals with coccyx pain, Benazcap’s ergonomic seat cushion provides improved spinal alignment, memory foam comfort, and pressure relief for prolonged sitting.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
| Well-rated ergonomic, waist-supporting design cradles thighs and hips Non-slip rubber bottom Machine-washable cover Versatile Value for money Wide and comfortable Climate pledge friendly User rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars | Reports of compression or bulging It may not be thick enough for some. Reports of design being too flat, not as advertised. Some users have found the pillow uncomfortable. Some have reported “slipping” out of the pillow. |
Premium, Top-Rated Support: Type S Smoothing Premium Comfort Memory Foam Seat Cushion
- Ergonomic Back Pain Relief - Expertly crafted, our car seat cushion is a top-tier back pain relief product, offering essential support for your lower back, tailbone, and hips, effectively alleviating discomfort and sciatica pain.
- Booster Seat Comfort - Ideal as a booster car seat or a booster seat for regular cars, this cushion elevates driving comfort and visibility, making every journey more enjoyable.
- Versatile Comfort for Any Seat - Ideal as a gaming chair cushion and office chair enhancer, this memory foam pillow serves as a comfy addition to computer chairs, making it a work-from-home essential.
This ergonomic gel deluxe memory foam pillow offers luxurious, versatile comfort that hugs the body, providing superior sitting support. The activated bamboo charcoal foam offers moisture-wicking and odor-neutralization, and the cushion comes with two knit fabric removable, washable covers.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
| Five-star rating by 74% of users Covers the entire chair It supports the whole backside. Durable Non-slip cover Pressure-relief Climate pledge friendly User rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars | It may be too thick/high for some. It may not be wide enough for larger people. More expensive for the same value It may not be firm enough for some. |
Value for Money Donut: Ergonomic Innovations Orthopedic Donut Pillow
- Portable and Versatile: Large (18.5 x 15 x 2.5 inches) yet lightweight butt pillow for use while sitting, driving, traveling.
- Cushion Your Tush: Elevate your comfort using this highly recommended memory foam doughnut pillow.
- Extensive Pain Relief: For hemorrhoids, fissures, joint pain, surgery, postpartum recovery, and more.
Sloping gradually from back to front, this contoured cushion helps thighs transition comfortably to the floor. The heat-responsive high-grade memory foam molds to your shape, offering comfort and support.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
| Comfortably firm Maintains shape Value for money Relieves pressure on thighs Easy to clean Generous dimension Climate pledge friendly User rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars | It doesn’t extend far enough down the thighs Some reports of sinking through the hole Poor support complaints Reports of material being too dense. It may not offer enough support for some. |
An Amazon’s Choice Gel Product: SelectSoma Ergonomic Gel Seat Cushion
- While other Gel Cushions are too small, uncomfortable, and not enough support, the SelectSoma Enhanced Blue High Grade Gel Cushion with Double Thickness is Large and provides Maximum Support for Complete Comfort while being Soft on Pressure Points.
- [You Need Lightweight and Portable] Use our gel seat cushion for office chair, dining chairs, while driving, airplane travel, stadium seating, picnics, or even sitting on the floor. Our double seat cushion is light and flexible which makes it easy use anywhere!
- [Get the Pain Relief You Deserve] Our wheelchair cushion for pressure relief is perfect to help with lower back, sciatic nerve, tailbone pain relief, coccyx, butt and hip pain. Our egg seat cushion has an ergonomic design to help avoid numbness in the buttock’s muscles and lumbar strain.
This chair cushion contains double-thickness high-grade TPE gel, providing long-sitting pressure relief with optimized support and softness. It’s ideal for people in wheelchairs. The pillow is portable for use wherever you are – including in the wet.
Its ergonomic egg-seat design helps promote blood flow and avoid lumbar strain, and the honeycomb gel design boosts airflow. In addition, a ventilated mesh helps to keep you cool. The gel product is also waterproof with two washable covers.
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
| Lightweight and flexible Breathable and cooling Comfortable dimensions Waterproof – perfect for bathing and water activities Versatile value for money Cushion is washable Non-slip cover User rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars | It may not be cooling enough for some May retain heat if left in the car Comes off the chair when the user stands up It may be too thin for some. It may be too soft for some. It may be too small for some and, therefore, uncomfortable. |
How to Use a Pillow for Coccyx Pain
Use your pillows with a chair with back support for best support, as slouching can cause back pain and contribute to tailbone pain. Pillows for coccydynia are usually relatively high, so don’t use other cushions. Add a slimline heating pad or gel ice pack for additional coccyx pain therapy.
When choosing the pillow, test it to ensure your hips stay aligned and your lower limbs support your spine. Additionally, if necessary, use a footrest or lower the leg height of your seat or wheelchair to ensure the pillow lifts your pelvis and you’re comfortable.
What to Consider When Choosing a Pillow for Coccyx Pain
Selecting the best product will depend on your body shape and size, daily activities, and preferences. Features to consider in your perfect cushion for tailbone pain are:
- A wedge shape: A wedge-shaped pillow for tailbone pain helps reduce direct pressure on the coccyx.
- A circular shape: This option can include “U” and donut-shaped pillows.
- Memory foam, gel, or a combination: These cushion materials help distribute weight evenly, improving sitting balance while contouring to your lower body shape.
- Air options: An inflatable donut pillow is another affordable and convenient option offering excellent symmetrical sitting benefits.
You’ll need to use your cushion frequently – perhaps all day, so choose a durable product with high-quality material from a reputable brand or purchase two or more to rotate. A versatile, portable option suits different chairs and purposes and accommodates all activities. Opt for a machine-washable cover (or cushion) for hygienic convenience and comfort.
How to Prevent Coccyx Pain
Beyond using a pillow for coccydynia, taking care of your tailbone can help. While accidents and illness are out of your control, placing unnecessary strain on the tailbone can be limited or prevented.
Protect your coccyx by avoiding spending long periods sitting, particularly on a hard surface. Also, try regularly adjusting or relieving your seated position while participating in sports such as cycling. You can help prevent falling by never focusing on your phone while walking, ensuring a railing for stairs, and keeping your pathways and corridors clear of obstacles and well-lit.
Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
This content is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be seen as medical guidance. It’s important to consult with a healthcare expert prior to making any changes to your health regimen, including dietary adjustments or the use of supplements.
Pages on this website may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we receive a commission from qualifying purchases. This commission is at no extra cost to you.
