About Coccyx Cushions

Coccyx cushions are designed to reduce low-back and neck pain by supporting the coccyx to provide better support for the entire spine. Most people who spend a lot of time sitting complain of low-back pain or they may have suffered an injury from a car accident that results in chronic spinal pain.
The coccyx is what most people refer to as the "tailbone." It is the fused portion of the very bottom of the spine.

Identification

• Coccyx cushions are often made from foam that can become slightly compressed when you sit on it and provide a stable support for extended sitting.
  People use them to help get relief from chronic low back or neck pain. Sitting on any supportive cushion can help pain along the spine.
  Coccyx cushions can be large squares of foam cushions with a cut out at the bottom edge. They range in price from $16.95 to $295, depending on the size and type. Many fall in the $38 to $50 range (see Resources below).

Features

• Coccyx cushions are usually made out of foam, and can be slanted with a carry-handle. They tend to be large enough to cover the entire seat of a chair. Smaller versions can be placed in the car.
  Some coccyx cushions are made from a "gel" material, others are air-filled, and many are made from a "memory foam" that captures the shape of the person sitting on the cushion to mold a support to him.
  The primary purpose of a coccyx cushion is to reduce direct pressure on the tailbone while sitting.
  People who injure themselves from sport or work, may bruise their tailbone, making it painful to sit on a chair or even in their car without pain.
  Some coccyx cushions are made in a kind of U-shape that is similar to the large square cushion with the cut-out at the bottom edge.

Significance

• People with a congenitally deformed spine, where the tailbone prevents them from sitting directly on a chair without pain, can sometimes find relief from using a coccyx cushion.
  Coccyx cushions can also help people who have injuries to their tailbones.

Considerations

• Test any coccyx cushion in the store before you buy one. If you would rather purchase one online, go to a store and sit on several coccyx cushions so that you know which type fits you best (see Resources below).
  As with any chair support, the cushions are available in different sizes and firmness of support. You will probably need a much smaller version of a coccyx cushion to use in your car than you would for your chair at the office.

Warning

• If you are using a coccyx cushion and find that you do not have normal sensation in your legs and feet, change the cushion. It may be cutting off proper circulation to the sacrum (low-back area) and that means your spine is not getting an adequate amount of spinal fluid moving along it.
  Experiment with different types of coccyx cushions until you find one that provides the proper support to your spine and can noticeably reduce any low-back or neck pain.