Conditions We Treat
Back Pain
Back pain can come from a number of sources. Dr. Kim points to poor posture, muscle strain, ligament sprain, joint dysfunction, and a herniated disc. In older patients, arthritis or degenerative changes may be a contributing factor. Weak core muscles from daily habits, a car accident, or a sports injury can also be behind it. Diagnosis starts with a history: when the pain began, whether it is acute or chronic, and what makes it better or worse.
Treatment may involve spinal manipulation of the lower back, soft-tissue massage, and trigger-point massage. The program usually begins with three visits per week for two weeks, then is reduced to two visits per week after the second week. Active exercise is introduced after one month, and an X-ray is performed to confirm improvements made.
Neck Pain
Poor posture is a frequent cause of neck pain in Dr. Kim’s experience. Muscle strain, joint misalignment, and degenerative changes such as arthritis often show up, too. Stress can be a factor, and sometimes the cause is nothing more than a bad pillow or an odd sleep position.
Diagnosis starts with a history, then moves into orthopedic testing, range-of-motion testing, and palpation to identify where the tension or misalignment lies. X-rays confirm the finding from there. Treatment tools include the arthrostim (a handheld adjusting instrument) and the activator (a small spring-loaded tool for gentle adjustments), used alongside soft tissue therapy, trigger point therapy, and rehabilitation exercises depending on the patient.
Headaches and Migraines
A lot of the headaches we see start in the neck, not the head. Patients who sit at a desk for long hours tend to show this pattern most. It’s called a cervicogenic headache (a headache that originates in the neck). The pain builds gradually, wraps around the head, and settles behind the eyes. Medication typically doesn’t help much in these cases.
Diagnosis includes an initial exam and X-ray. One patient Dr. Kim treated recently, a caregiver, showed a straightened neck curve on X-ray, called lordosis (the natural curve of the spine), a sign of tension pulling from the shoulder to the head. Dr. Kim performed adjustments and myofascial release (a hands-on technique to loosen tight muscle tissue), and her headache improved before she left.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs between the hip and buttock muscles, and when it gets pinched, pain travels from the lower back down the leg to the foot. Numbness, tingling, or weakness often comes along with it. A bursting or herniated disc irritating the nerve is one cause Dr. Kim sees. Tight glute muscles compressing the nerve directly are another factor.
Care is built around finding where the compression is coming from, not just treating the leg and lower back. Chiropractic adjustment, spinal decompression therapy, massage, and targeted exercises may be included in your treatment plan based on your findings.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is the lateral curvature of the spine, and it can affect the posture and comfort levels over time. Since growing children and adolescents can develop curves in their spines during their growing phase, early evaluation becomes more significant in the case of young patients. The posture assessment, along with the imaging, reveals the nature and severity of the curve.
Scoliosis treatment at Alderwood Back & Neck Pain Clinic is determined based on the direction and characteristics of the curve. Adjustments and targeted exercises support joint motion and ease strain on the affected areas, though they don’t straighten the spine itself. Care is generally monitored over time to track any change in the curve.
Herniated Disc
A herniated or bursting disc may be present as a contributing factor across several conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. When the disc irritates a nearby nerve, pain can radiate outward, sometimes with numbness or tingling. X-ray comes first for diagnosis. If findings are unclear or the patient isn’t improving, we recommend an MRI. Dr. Kim also coordinates with pain management or an orthopedic specialist when needed. Herniated disc treatment may include spinal adjustments, decompression therapy, and soft tissue work.
Vertigo
The feeling of being dizzy or unbalanced may arise from the inner ear, but problems in the upper neck are also common contributors. Sometimes the inner ear becomes inflamed due to an infection or irritation, which disrupts the balance signals it sends to the brain and causes persistent dizziness.
Depending on what’s found, care can include neck adjustments and, for inner ear-related cases, a repositioning technique specific to the inner ear. Vertigo paired with neck stiffness or headaches often points toward the neck as a contributing cause. Most patients see steady improvement in their balance and dizziness as treatment progresses.
Arm and Leg Pain
The arm or leg usually isn’t where the problem starts. It is more common for it to be located in the spinal cord, where there is compression of a nerve. This is determined by Dr. Kim through a thorough examination and additional imaging.
After identifying the nerve that needs help, Dr. Kim uses chiropractic adjustments to relieve the nerve from its pressure and exercises to strengthen the nerve. At Alderwood Back & Neck Pain Clinic, care is based on understanding what is causing the pain and explaining how it relates to movement. Our goal is to reduce irritation, improve function, and help you move more comfortably.
Knee Pain
Knee pain doesn’t always come from the knee. Sometimes the hip or ankle is out of alignment, and that changes how weight moves through the leg, putting extra strain on the knee over time. So Dr. Kim looks at the hip, ankle, and spine together, not just the knee. Adjustments to these areas, paired with strengthening exercises, take pressure off the joint and help it move better. Gait and footwear come up in the exam too, since either one can add to the strain.
Your first visit focuses on understanding the symptoms, assessing your knee function, and outlining a care plan tailored to your condition.
Shoulder Pain
A rotator cuff strain, a pinched nerve in the neck, or restricted joint movement can all cause shoulder pain. Range of motion and strength testing help narrow down the cause before treatment starts. Dr. Kim does not look at the shoulder in isolation. The neck, upper back, and arm all play a role in how the shoulder functions, and your evaluation covers all of them.
Care often combines adjustment to the shoulder joint and upper spine with mobility exercises, aimed at restoring normal movement and easing inflammation. Exercises to support shoulder stability are frequently included too, since this joint tends toward recurring issues without ongoing care.
Carpal Tunnel
Pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the hand are usually signs of compression of the median nerve, which is the nerve that passes from the wrist into the hand. The compression may occur at the wrist level, but it could also occur at a higher level in the neck region or shoulder region.
A thorough examination of the entire path of the nerve helps determine where the compression occurs. Treatment can include manipulation of the neck and upper back, as well as the wrist, and advice on posture correction and ergonomics.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis involves the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the joints, leading to stiffness and pain that tend to worsen with activity. Chiropractic care doesn’t restore lost cartilage, but it can support joint mobility and ease strain on areas compensating for the affected joint. Gentle adjustments suited to arthritic joints, paired with exercises that build supporting muscle strength, are common parts of care. Sessions are typically adjusted to the specific joint involved and how the patient is doing at the time, since symptoms can shift over time.