Clinical term
Coccydynia
Pain located in the tailbone (coccyx) region, often worse when sitting.
Scientific basis
The term indicates the painful region without, on its own, determining the cause. Trauma, or certain features of the coccyx or of its mobility, may be involved; the origin sometimes remains uncertain. A clinical evaluation is needed to look for the mechanism of persistent pain.
Blue Portance / SBNFA™ reading
Blue Portance uses "coccydynia" as a clinical term for the location of the pain. A functional analysis of sitting can describe tolerance to different positions, without establishing a diagnosis of the cause.
Contribution to the analysis of sitting
Functional analysis examines how changes in the position of the pelvis and in support alter contact with the support surface, particularly in the tailbone region. It looks for configurations that are accessible and tolerated during the task, as well as the possibilities of moving from one to another.
Not to be confused with
the precise cause of tailbone pain, which requires a clinical evaluation.
Sources and scope
- Lirette et al. (2014): anatomy, causes and treatment of coccydynia
- Garg and Ahuja (2021): a review of etiology and management options
These reviews support the clinical description. The seating analysis presented here is an application of the Blue Portance framework, not a diagnostic method validated by these articles.
Further reading
- Learn more — Article: Coccygodynia: Why Does Sitting Hurt So Much?
- Go further — Expert guide: Coccydynia: Understanding the Mechanisms of Tailbone Pain
