I have pain around my tailbone area and I think it s the result of a recent irritating cough I had following a cold . Have i strained or damaged my tailbone and what should I do about it? There s a bearable dull ache when I m sitting but it s extremely painful when I cough. I can protect the area when i cough by squeezing my buttocks together or sitting down and leaning forward. It started about 5 days ago.