Tailbone Injuries

Have you ever heard of a bruised tailbone? It’s rare for the tailbone to truly be cracked, but the soft tissues surrounding it can certainly be injured. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we use noninvasive, non-addictive treatments to relieve pain and put the body in the best position possible to heal itself. Let’s take a closer look at why pain would occur in this area.

The tailbone, scientifically known as the coccyx, is made up of several fused vertebrae that hang below the sacrum, the part of the spine that connects to the hips. The coccyx helps to anchor the large muscles and ligaments in the pelvis. When they get inflamed and become painful, a patient is said to be suffering from “coccydynia.” Their deep location normally prevents them from being harmed, but injuries can happen during childbirth, as well as activities such as horseback riding and cycling.

Coccydynia will often be at its worst when a person is seated. We can provide patients with ring-shaped pillows or chiropractic wedges to sit on, which will keep weight off their tailbone. We can also make adjustments to displaced joints. Other possibilities include inflammation reduction through electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic exercise to ensure that the muscles responsible for moving the legs and stabilizing the lower back remain supple during the patient’s recovery.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Importance of Vitamin D

Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield offers care for the entire body, not just individual problems. Our musculoskeletal system is made up of soft and hard tissues, so to be free of pain, people must address issues with both. We offer a variety of manual manipulations for soft tissues and joints, and for the bones, our nutritional counseling program will help to ensure that patients are getting enough calcium and Vitamin D.

Calcium is a mineral that is a key component of bone tissue, but our bodies don’t produce it. Instead, we absorb it when Vitamin D activates cells in our intestines. Dietary sources of Vitamin D include fatty fish and egg yolks. It is also common for orange juice, cereal, dairy, and leafy greens to be artificially fortified with calcium and Vitamin D. But one of the most important ways of increasing Vitamin D production is by exposure to sunlight. Cholesterol produces Vitamin D when sunlight is able to reach the skin unblocked, which is one reason why it’s important for people to be active outdoors.

When people don’t absorb sufficient amounts of calcium, their bones are more brittle and prone to fractures. Most people do not get enough Vitamin D, but it is also possible to get more than the body can use safely. Our nutritional counseling will help patients find the right supplements to keep their bones strong, keeping their muscles and ligaments well-supported and their weight off their joints.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Sleep Positions

Since we ideally spend about a third of our time asleep, it makes sense that our sleep positions will have major implications for how our backs feel. We provide a variety of noninvasive pain relief treatments at Kosak Chiropractic, including adjustments for misaligned spines. But for lasting relief, patients may have to make changes to their lifestyle, including how they sleep.

Stomach sleeping is recommended against for most patients. Besides leaving the lumbar region unsupported, it forces the head backward and sideways, often leading to neck pain in the morning. Side sleeping can keep the neck in alignment if it is done with a firm pillow, and misalignments it creates between the pelvis and legs can be prevented by sleeping with a pillow between the knees. But this position still leaves the lumbar region unsupported, so patients who do it are advised to alternate which side they sleep on. People with wide hips may need a softer mattress to allow their hips to remain even.

The best position for most patients is on the back. With small, cylindrical pillows under the neck and lower back as needed, this position keeps the whole spine aligned. It’s only major downside is that it may be difficult for people with obstructive sleep apnea, but back pain at night can also cause a sleep deficit, and for patients receiving proper treatment, the neck pillow can provide more support and prevent cervicogenic headaches.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.