Tacoma is a city that moves. From the trails at Point Defiance Park to the waterfront along Ruston Way, from youth sports leagues at Cheney Stadium to the daily commute on I-5 — the people who live here are active, hardworking, and often dealing with the physical toll that comes with it.

At Evergreen Spinal Health Center, we've been treating Tacoma residents for years. We're located right in the North End at 5018 N. 9th Street — close to the Stadium District, Proctor neighborhood, and the University of Washington Tacoma campus. And we see a consistent set of injuries and conditions that reflect the way people in this city live.

Here's what we treat most often, and what you should know about each one.

Auto Accident Injuries and Whiplash

Tacoma's road network — the I-5/SR-16 interchange, the Nalley Valley, the Port of Tacoma corridors — means a lot of traffic, and a lot of fender-benders. Whiplash is the most common injury we see following a collision, and it's also one of the most misunderstood.

The problem with whiplash is that symptoms often don't appear until 24–72 hours after the accident. By then, many patients have already told their insurance company they feel fine. That's a mistake that can have long-term consequences.

Untreated whiplash leads to:

• Chronic neck pain that can persist for months or years
• Cervicogenic headaches originating from the upper cervical spine
• Reduced range of motion — difficulty turning your head fully
• Postural compensation that stresses the mid and lower back

Dr. Joy specializes in auto injury treatment and provides thorough documentation for PIP (Personal Injury Protection) claims and personal injury cases. If you've been in an accident anywhere in Tacoma — whether on Pacific Avenue, near Tacoma Mall, or on the Narrows Bridge approach — don't wait to get evaluated.

Learn more about whiplash treatment at Evergreen Spinal Health Center →

Back and Neck Pain from Desk Work

The growth of Tacoma's professional sector — from the law offices near the Tacoma Dome to the healthcare campuses at MultiCare and CHI Franciscan — means more people spending long hours at desks. Prolonged sitting, poor monitor positioning, and forward head posture create a predictable pattern of pain: tight hip flexors, weak glutes, rounded shoulders, and a cervical spine that's carrying far more load than it was designed to.

We address this with a combination of spinal adjustments to restore normal joint motion, soft tissue work to release the muscles that have been chronically shortened, and postural rehabilitation exercises you can do at home or at your desk.

Sports and Recreation Injuries

Tacoma has a strong athletic culture. The Tacoma Rainiers draw families to Cheney Stadium all summer. Point Defiance Park hosts trail runners year-round. The Tacoma Mountaineers and local cycling clubs keep people active on weekends. And youth sports — soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse — are a fixture in neighborhoods from Fircrest to South Tacoma.

Sports injuries we commonly treat include:

• Ankle sprains and knee pain from field sports and trail running
• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff strains from overhead sports and swimming
• IT band syndrome and hip flexor tightness in runners and cyclists
• Cervical strains from contact sports and falls
• Low back pain from weightlifting and rowing

Chiropractic care accelerates recovery by restoring joint mobility, reducing inflammation, and addressing the biomechanical imbalances that often set the stage for injury in the first place.

Adult Scoliosis

Many adults in Tacoma are living with scoliosis they were diagnosed with as teenagers — and were told there was nothing to do about it. That's no longer true. Dr. Joy uses the ScoliSmart Scoliosis Reduction and Rehabilitation Protocol, a non-surgical approach that has helped adult patients reduce their Cobb angle, improve posture, and significantly reduce pain.

If you've been told your scoliosis is "mild" or "not bad enough for surgery," you may still be a candidate for treatment that can prevent further progression and improve your quality of life.

Learn more about adult scoliosis treatment →

Weight Loss Support with ChiroThin

Tacoma has seen significant growth in its food and restaurant scene — from the Proctor Farmers Market to the restaurants along 6th Avenue — but with that comes the challenge many patients face: maintaining a healthy weight while managing a busy life. Dr. Joy offers ChiroThin, a doctor-supervised weight loss program that combines a structured nutritional protocol with chiropractic support to help patients lose weight safely and sustainably.

Learn more about ChiroThin weight loss →

Serving All of Tacoma

Whether you're in the North End, the South End, Hilltop, the Stadium District, or anywhere in between, Evergreen Spinal Health Center is your neighborhood chiropractor. We're easy to reach from most parts of the city, with parking available at our 26th Street location.

We're currently welcoming new patients with a special new patient offer — including a comprehensive exam and consultation with Dr. Joy.

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 full Tacoma chiropractic services →