Lakewood is one of Pierce County's most diverse and dynamic communities. Home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Steilacoom Park, Clover Park Technical College, and a thriving commercial corridor along Gravelly Lake Drive, Lakewood residents come from all walks of life — and bring a wide range of physical demands and health challenges with them.

At Evergreen Spinal Health Center, we see many patients from Lakewood at our Tacoma clinic on N. 26th Street. It's a straightforward drive up I-5 or via Steilacoom Boulevard, and we make scheduling easy for busy families, active-duty personnel, and veterans.

Here's what we most commonly treat for Lakewood residents.

Military and Veteran Musculoskeletal Injuries

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is one of the largest military installations in the country, and the physical demands of military service — carrying heavy loads, extended standing and marching, training injuries, and the cumulative stress of deployment — create a distinctive pattern of musculoskeletal problems.

We frequently treat active-duty personnel and veterans from the JBLM community for:

• Low back pain from rucking, heavy lifting, and prolonged standing
• Knee pain from running in boots and load-bearing activities
• Shoulder injuries from overhead press, pull-ups, and equipment handling
• Cervical strain from body armor and helmet weight
• Hip and SI joint dysfunction from asymmetric load-bearing

Chiropractic care is a drug-free, non-surgical approach to musculoskeletal pain that complements the care available through military healthcare channels. Many veterans and active-duty personnel use chiropractic as part of a broader pain management strategy.

Sports and Recreation Injuries

Fort Steilacoom Park is one of the best recreational facilities in Pierce County — with athletic fields, a disc golf course, trails, and the American Lake waterfront. Lakewood also has strong youth sports programs through the Clover Park School District and local recreational leagues.

Sports injuries we commonly treat for Lakewood residents include:

• Ankle sprains and ligament injuries from field sports and trail use
• Rotator cuff strains from throwing sports and swimming
• Runner's knee and IT band syndrome from trail running and road racing
• Low back strains from weightlifting and contact sports
• Concussion-related neck pain following contact sport injuries

Auto Accident Injuries

Lakewood's road network — I-5, SR-512, Gravelly Lake Drive, and the Steilacoom Boulevard corridor — sees significant traffic, and accidents are common. Whiplash from rear-end collisions is the injury we see most often following auto accidents, and it's one of the most important conditions to treat early.

Dr. Joy has extensive experience treating auto injury patients and provides thorough documentation for PIP insurance claims. If you've been in an accident anywhere in Lakewood or on your commute, call us within 72 hours.

Learn more about whiplash and auto injury treatment →

Weight Loss Support with ChiroThin

Many Lakewood residents — including veterans managing service-related health conditions — are looking for a medically supervised approach to weight loss that goes beyond generic diet advice. ChiroThin is a doctor-supervised program that combines a structured nutritional protocol with chiropractic support. It's designed for people who want real results with professional guidance.

Learn more about ChiroThin weight loss →

Scoliosis Treatment

Adult scoliosis is more common than most people realize, and many adults in Lakewood are managing a diagnosis they received years ago with little follow-up care. Dr. Joy's ScoliSmart protocol offers a non-surgical path to reducing curvature, managing pain, and preventing progression.

Learn more about adult scoliosis treatment →

Easy Access from Lakewood

Our clinic is located at 5018 N. 9th Street in Tacoma — about 15–20 minutes from Lakewood via I-5 North or Steilacoom Boulevard. We offer flexible scheduling including early morning and Saturday appointments.

We're currently welcoming new Lakewood patients with a special new patient offer.

Claim your new patient offer →

Evergreen Spinal Health Center 5018 N. 9th Street, Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 683-4277 Monday–Friday 9am–6pm | Saturday by appointment

See our Lakewood chiropractic services →