By: Dr. Goodman, DC + Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Neck pain affects roughly 30 percent of Americans each year, making it the second most common pain complaint after low back pain. For the banking professionals of Uptown Charlotte, the tech workers of Ballantyne, the healthcare workers of Myers Park, and the active adults of Pineville and Matthews, daily screen time adds up over the years. Cervical disc changes and chronic neck pain are common in this kind of desk-bound, device-heavy population. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry use a Class IV laser therapy protocol, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ system, as one non-surgical option for patients dealing with cervical pain.
Cervical disc degeneration is progressive, and the structural source of the pain can continue to change over time. Medication management and periodic physical therapy are often aimed at managing symptoms, which is why a fuller evaluation of the underlying structure can be useful for patients whose pain keeps coming back.
Dr. Goodman’s post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy is particularly relevant to neck pain. It focuses on identifying the dysfunctional motor patterns and muscular inhibition that develop as the body compensates for cervical pain, patterns that can persist long after the original injury has resolved. Dr. Bradberry’s background in head and neck injury among athletes, a core part of his sports medicine practice with Olympic-bound and weekend warrior athletes, adds clinical depth to cervical evaluation and treatment.
Why Is Neck Pain So Prevalent and Why Does It Keep Returning?
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. Research published in Spine documented that forward head posture, common in Charlotte’s screen-using professional population, increases the effective compressive load on the cervical spine by roughly 10 pounds per inch of forward displacement. A 2018 study in Scientific Reports found that 66 percent of adults show radiographic evidence of cervical lordosis loss.
According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, neck pain ranks as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. It tends to return because the structural factors behind it, including disc degeneration, facet arthritis, and loss of the cervical curve, often go unaddressed in standard medication or therapy approaches.
What Does Cervical Disc Herniation Do to the Arm?
Cervical disc herniation at C5-C6, the most common level, produces thumb and index finger tingling, biceps weakness, and anterior shoulder pain. At C6-C7, C7 nerve root compression produces triceps weakness and middle finger symptoms. These presentations are frequently misdiagnosed as shoulder impingement or carpal tunnel, conditions that receive treatment while the underlying cervical source goes unaddressed.
A 2015 study in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy found that cervical radiculopathy is misdiagnosed as a peripheral condition in a meaningful share of patients, delaying appropriate care by months.
How Does the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Address Cervical Pain?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses medical-grade near-infrared laser energy directed at the cervical disc, nerve root, and surrounding musculature. It is a Class IV laser therapy applied to the area where cervical pain tends to originate. This falls under photobiomodulation, a light-based therapy that researchers have studied for neck-related pain. A 2019 systematic review in Pain Research and Management examined photobiomodulation for cervical pain and disability. Whether the approach is appropriate for a given patient depends on a clinical evaluation of that person’s condition.
What Should Charlotte Neck Pain Patients Know Before Cervical Surgery?
Cervical fusion carries risks that include adjacent segment disease, hardware failure, and persistent post-surgical pain. A 2013 study in Spine found that adjacent segment changes requiring additional surgery occurred in roughly 15 percent of cervical fusion patients within 10 years. Before any cervical procedure, patients benefit from a thorough evaluation of the non-surgical options available to them, including conservative and laser-based approaches, so they can make an informed decision together with their provider.
More information about the practice is available through the ReliefNow Laser Charlotte provider page, and patient education videos are available on the ReliefNow Nation video channel. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte is located at 460 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209, and can be reached at 704-527-7246.
About the Authors
Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, is a UNC-Charlotte biology graduate and a Palmer College of Chiropractic graduate, with post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser, rehabilitation, and nutrition. He is active in the Charlotte community through Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the Rotary Club. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, holds a BS in human nutrition from the University of Florida and graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic. He holds the CCSP certification and focuses on sports medicine, including work with Olympic-bound and weekend warrior athletes. Both are providers in the national ReliefNow® network, founded by Dr. Robert Hanopole, DC.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.
