Tailbone Injuries

Have you recently been injured, and suffered a dull, throbbing pain in the rear? You may have coccydynia, known colloquially as a bruised tailbone. We can help you determine the nature of your injury at the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge and set up a minimally invasive, nonaddictive pain treatment plan and that will get you back in working order. But we also want you to understand how tailbone injuries happen and how to stop them.

The tailbone, also known as the coccyx, is made up of several small, fused vertebrae. It is suspended from the bottom of the sacrum, which is the part of the lower spine the hip bones connect to. The tailbone is surrounded by thick muscles and ligaments and is rarely fractured, but its supporting tissues may be bruised and swollen. This can happen as a result of blunt force trauma, as could occur while mountain biking or horseback riding, or during childbirth.

Although coccydynia usually heals well, an untreated person could be in pain for several weeks, especially when seated. We can ameliorate that by providing ring-shaped pillows or chiropractic wedges, which keep pressure off sensitive areas. We can also reduce swelling through practices such as low level laser therapy and electric muscle stimulation, and we can perform adjustments to ensure all the bones of the pelvic region are in the right place. Patients will also be advised on therapeutic exercises they can do to ensure their deep muscles will be strong and support their lower spine in the future.

We treat lower back injuries and tailbone pain at the ACT Wellness Center at 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo, call 703-491-9355 or visit ACT Wellness.