Vertebrae of the Week: Coccyx

As the bottom bone in your spine, the coccyx is more commonly known as the tailbone. It’s a triangular bone arrangement and consists of anywhere from three to five fused or semi-fused bones. One interesting thing about the coccyx is that it represents a vestigial tail. That is, once many hundreds of thousands of years ago, we had a tail, and this bone arrangement represents what’s left of it after evolution!

Function

While we no longer have need of a tail, the coccyx still does have a function. It helps to support you when you’re sitting down, distributing your weight evenly to provide for stability and balance. It’s also the connecting point for many of the muscles in your pelvic area. These muscles support many bodily functions as well as help you move your legs, walk and run.

Injuries

Coccydynia is a term that refers to persistent tailbone pain. It’s a very common injury and manifests as localized pain which tends to worsen when you sit or perform activities that put pressure on the spine.

Women tend to suffer coccydynia more commonly than men. In fact, some literature shows that women are about five times as likely to suffer this condition. This is because women tend to have a broader pelvic structure, which can reduce the amount of pelvic rotation, as well as leave the tailbone exposed to harm.

In addition, women tend to place more weight on the tailbone when they sit. Finally, childbirth can cause acute damage to this region when the baby moves across the tailbone.

Your Tailbone and Chiropractic

A chiropractor can address the root cause of your tailbone pain, whether it’s a sprain, pinched nerve or some other problem, and can help to address the issue. They will usually begin with a physical exam, followed by dynamic X-rays to look at the position of your tailbone when sitting and when standing. This will help them to determine the proper course of adjustment and treatments that can eliminate the pain and restore your optimal mobility.

For over nine years, ACT Wellness Center has been the premiere chiropractic provider in the Woodbridge area. If you’re experiencing pain at the base of your spine, we can help. Give us a call for an examination today!

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Vertebrae of the Week: Sacrum

One of the lowest bones in your back, the Sacrum is a large, triangular bone that connects to the base of your spine. It forms when you reach between 18 and 30 years old when your S1-S5 sacral vertebrae fuse together. It’s located at the back of your pelvic cavity, between its wings, and forms important joints with your other bones.

The sacrum is a very complex bone that helps to provide support for the spine and protection for the spinal nerves, as well as articulates with your hip bones. Among the most common injuries suffered in the sacrum region is a sprain to the sacroiliac joint that articulates at the ala, or side-base projections, of the sacrum.

Sacrum Articulations

The sacrum articulates (forms joints) with four different bones. The first is the lowest lumbar vertebra. The second is the tailbone, which is directly below the sacrum, and the third is the hip bone at the ilium region. In humans, the sacrum is able to move slightly on its own along the sagittal plate to bend backward and forward.

Disorders in the Sacrum

Besides the sacroiliac sprain and joint dislocations, a number of types of disorders can develop in the sacrum. While it doesn’t subluxate specifically like other bones in the vertebra, it can be subject to congenital disorders like spina bifida and sacral agenesis, or caudal regression syndrome. Fractures can also develop in the sacral region, and it’s one of the major areas where sarcoma cancers can develop.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

Chiropractors can help address many problems in this region. Sprains and dislocations in particular can often be corrected with spinal or extremity manipulations. In addition, the pressure that these dislocations place on nerves can create all manner of issues. Chiropractic has been applied for many different reasons with very effective results, ranging from back pain to cancer and even AIDS symptoms.

For nine years and running, Dr. C at ACT Wellness Center has provided the very best chiropractic care to the Woodbridge, VA, area. If you’d like more information about the sacrum or you need treatment for a spinal ailment, get in touch with us to schedule your appointment today!

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