Can Sitting on a Hard Chair Cause Tailbone Pain?
Can sitting on a hard chair cause tailbone pain? Does your tailbone hurt from sitting in an office chair? Coccyx pain is a common issue for office workers, often arising from prolonged sitting, particularly on hard surfaces. This type of discomfort can be quite challenging to manage, affecting your overall comfort and productivity.
In this article, we’ll explore how sitting for extended periods can lead to tailbone pain and provide practical tips for alleviating and preventing this discomfort. Understanding the causes and strategies for relief can help you create a more comfortable workspace, ensuring you stay active and pain-free throughout the day.
Can Sitting on a Hard Chair Cause Tailbone Pain?
Yes. Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia and coccygodynia, can be triggered by various factors, including sitting for extended periods on a hard or narrow surface. This type of pain affects the coccyx, the bony structure at the base of the spine, and can result from injury, falls, trauma leading to inflammation, joint changes from arthritis or childbirth.
Tailbone pain often accompanies pelvic girdle and sacroiliac joint pain. Issues with these joints and surrounding ligaments can irritate the coccyx, causing initial dull pain that may intensify over time.
Why Does My Chair Hurt My Tailbone?
Many people experience coccyx pain when sitting in office chairs. The most common cause is inadequate support for the lower back and tailbone area, which puts pressure on the coccyx. Poor posture, a sedentary lifestyle and bad habits (slouching) can also contribute to this discomfort.
Your coccyx endures more pressure if you lean backward, partially recline, or hunch while sitting. Prolonged pressure on your tailbone increases the likelihood of developing coccyx pain.
Fortunately, tailbone pain often resolves on its own within a few weeks or months, and about 90% of coccydynia cases improve with careful management.
Tailbone Hurts From Sitting in an Office Chair? Here’s What You Can Do to Alleviate the Pain:
- Sit upright with good posture and adjust your position periodically, leaning slightly forward to reduce pressure on the coccyx.
- Use a chair with a coccyx comfort zone, featuring a dip or cutout in the rear of the seat cushion. This built-in feature is preferable for long periods of sitting, as separate cushions can alter seat height and back support or shift during use.
- Opt for a memory foam seat to decrease pressure.
- Consider a sit-stand desk to alternate between sitting and standing.
- Apply heat or ice to the affected area.
- Consult your GP for persistent pain to explore specialised treatment options.
Chairs Designed to Relieve Coccyx Pain:
Our chairs are expertly crafted to alleviate and prevent coccyx pain while improving posture and spinal health. Use our Chair Builder tool to find the perfect seat to simmer your pain.
To effectively manage coccyx pain while working, choose a chair specifically designed for this purpose. These chairs offer exceptional comfort, focusing on relieving both lower back pain and coccyx discomfort. By providing targeted support for the lower back and tailbone area, they help reduce or even eliminate coccyx issues and promote an ergonomically correct sitting position.
Key Features to Look for in Coccyx Pain Office Chairs:
These features collectively promote good posture and reduce discomfort from slouching or hunching:
Regular Movement
Remember to stand, move and stretch at least once an hour. Squeeze your glute muscles for a few seconds, then relax. Changing positions regularly can reduce pressure on your coccyx and ease surrounding muscles, joints and ligaments.
Adjustable Features
Adjustable lumbar support helps prevent posterior pelvic tilt, which places excessive pressure on the tailbone, and promotes healthy posture and proper alignment. Additionally, an adjustable seat depth ensures maximum contact with the backrest and full support for your legs.
Sit-Stand Desk
Consider using a sit-stand desk to vary your working position and adjust to your height. Additionally, shift your leg positions while sitting—alternate between fully extended, partially bent and close to the chair—to alleviate pain and improve circulation.
Wedge Cushion
Wedge cushions can help shift your body forward, similar to a tilt mechanism, providing relief even though they are less adjustable. They are particularly useful for seats with limited adjustability, such as car seats.
Forward-Sitting Option
A seat that allows you to sit forward can help alleviate pressure from your coccyx. Try reclining your hips backward while sitting to feel pressure on your coccyx. Leaning forward slightly and rotating your hips should shift the pressure to the ischial tuberosities (sit bones). This ensures more pressure is placed on these areas rather than your coccyx.
Ample Pelvic Positioning
For optimal pelvic positioning, choose a chair with an adjustable seat tilt to alleviate pressure on the tailbone, spine and sit bones, particularly if you tend to slouch. A tilting seat and backrest offer better movement and pressure adjustment for your spine and hips, while fixed seats can lead to concentrated pressure on specific areas.
Pressure Distribution
Opt for a chair with even pressure distribution across the seat. A contoured memory foam cushion provides optimal support, reducing pressure on your coccyx, sit bones and lower spine.
Office Chairs for Tailbone Pain Available at Ergonomic Chairs Direct
Tailbone pain is a common issue for office workers, often made worse by prolonged sitting on hard surfaces. Addressing this discomfort can be daunting, but we ensure finding a new office chair is 100% worth it if it reduces your pain and makes you more productive.
So, can sitting on a hard chair cause tailbone pain? Yes, but our ergonomic solutions will put a stop to that! Explore our range of office chairs to alleviate your coccyx pain quickly. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.