The superstar has been plagued with injuries in recent weeks, cancelling three concerts, and after playing in Miami, Florida on Saturday night she opted not to perform the following night - on doctor's orders.

"I have to accept that there is no shame in being human and having to press the pause button," she explained on Instagram.

Sharing a video of a moment in her show, during which Madonna climbs a ladder, she admitted she was in "indescribable pain".

"As I climbed the ladder to sing Batuka on Saturday night in Miami I was in tears from the pain of my injuries, which has been indescribable for the past few days," the 61-year-old captioned the clip. "With every song I sang, I said a prayer that I would make it to the next and get thru the show (sic). My prayers were answered, And I made it."

Madonna resumed her tour after cancelling dates in Boston, Massachusetts earlier this month.

"I consider myself a warrior I never quit, I never give in, I never give up!!" she continued in her Christmas message to fans. "However, this time I have to listen to my body and accept that my pain is a warning. I want to say how deeply sorry I am to all my fans. For having to cancel my last show."

Madonna plans to rest for a few weeks before picking up the tour again in Europe next month.

"I spent the last two days with doctors, scans, ultrasounds, X-rays poking and probing and more tears," the star added. "They (doctors) have made it very clear to me that if l am to continue my tour - I must rest for as long as possible so that I don't inflict further and Irreversible damage to my body.

"Things have got to change. And they will because MADAME X. is a fighter!! Happy Holidays to Everyone."

It's not clear what is causing her pain, but reports suggest a bad knee is behind Madonna's problems.