By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Neck pain affects approximately 30 percent of Americans each year, making it the second most common pain complaint after low back pain. For the millions in Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, and across Broward County living with cervical disc disease, chronic neck stiffness, or radiculopathy radiating into the arm, the standard clinical response (muscle relaxants, physical therapy, injections) often addresses the symptom while the structural cause continues to progress. The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol is one option designed to target the underlying mechanism.
Cervical disc degeneration tends to be progressive, and unaddressed structural decline can narrow the window for conservative care over time. For patients who have managed neck pain primarily with medication or periodic injections, a comprehensive structural evaluation may help clarify the next appropriate step.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I have treated cervical spine conditions for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida, serving patients whose neck pain ranges from postural strain to cervical disc herniation to radiculopathy producing arm and hand symptoms.
Why Is Neck Pain So Prevalent and Why Does It Keep Coming Back?
The cervical spine supports the full weight of the head (typically 10 to 12 pounds) while allowing more range of motion than any other spinal region. This combination of load and mobility makes the cervical discs and facet joints exceptionally vulnerable to cumulative mechanical stress.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Forward head posture, common in desk workers, smartphone users, and the office populations of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, is reported to increase the effective compressive load on the cervical spine by approximately 10 pounds for every inch of forward displacement.
Neck pain often keeps returning because the structural factors driving it (loss of cervical lordosis, disc degeneration, facet joint arthritis) are rarely addressed in standard physical therapy or medication protocols.
What Is Cervical Disc Herniation and How Does It Produce Arm Pain?
Cervical disc herniation at C5-C6 (the most commonly affected level) produces pain and tingling radiating into the thumb and index finger, along with weakness of the biceps and wrist extensors. At C6-C7, C7 nerve root compression produces triceps weakness and middle finger symptoms.
These presentations are sometimes misdiagnosed as shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, or carpal tunnel syndrome, conditions that may receive treatment while the cervical nerve compression driving them goes unaddressed. Published research has noted that cervical radiculopathy can be misdiagnosed as a peripheral condition in a meaningful portion of patients, delaying appropriate care.
How Does the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Approach Cervical Conditions?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol at Hollywood Laser Pain Center uses medical-grade near-infrared laser energy directed at the cervical disc, nerve root, and surrounding musculature. Photobiomodulation therapy is studied for its potential influence on inflammatory pathways and cellular function in musculoskeletal tissues.
Published systematic reviews of photobiomodulation therapy in chronic neck pain have reported reductions in pain and disability scores compared with sham treatment, with a favorable safety profile.
What Does Graston Technique Add for Cervical Patients?
The suboccipital muscles, cervical paraspinals, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae can accumulate significant fascial restrictions in patients with chronic neck conditions. These restrictions can limit cervical mobility, contribute to compressive load on cervical joints, and accompany the headaches and arm symptoms that often present alongside cervical disc disease.
Graston Technique applied to these cervical and periscapular soft tissue regions is used to address tissue mobility and mechanical tension in areas that laser therapy alone may not reach. The approach is intended to complement the broader treatment goals related to shoulder and neck function.
What Should Broward County Neck Pain Patients Know Before Cervical Surgery?
Cervical fusion carries documented risks including adjacent segment disease, hardware failure, and persistent post-surgical pain. Published research has reported that adjacent segment disease requiring additional surgery occurs in a meaningful percentage of cervical fusion patients within 10 years.
Before any cervical surgical procedure, patients can benefit from a comprehensive evaluation of conservative care options, including whether the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol may be appropriate for their condition.
To learn more, visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood. For patient education videos, visit youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Hollywood Laser Pain Center is located at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020. Phone: 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
