By: Dr. Goodman, DC and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Non-surgical Class IV laser therapy is one of several conservative options studied for herniated disc pain, with research examining its relationship to the inflammation and nerve root irritation involved in disc-related symptoms. For patients in Charlotte South, Pineville, Matthews, Ballantyne, Myers Park, SouthPark, and Gastonia who have been told their disc pain may require surgery or long-term management, conservative, non-surgical care is part of the broader range of options worth discussing with a qualified clinician. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte offers the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol as part of a non-surgical, non-pharmacological care approach for disc-related pain.
Conservative care for disc-related pain is generally considered earlier in the treatment course, before more invasive interventions. Published clinical guidelines commonly recommend a trial of conservative care for many disc presentations. Discussing the full range of conservative and surgical options with a qualified clinician is a standard part of treatment planning.
ReliefNow Laser Charlotte on Park Road is a two-doctor practice. Dr. Goodman brings a biology foundation from UNC-Charlotte and doctorate training from Palmer College of Chiropractic, an established chiropractic institution. Dr. Bradberry brings a background in international sports medicine, having worked with Olympic-bound athletes from the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Estonia. That combined clinical perspective informs the approach at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte.
What Is Actually Happening When a Disc Herniates?
The intervertebral disc consists of a tough outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and a hydrated, gel-like inner core called the nucleus pulposus. When the annulus develops cracks from repetitive stress, sudden loading, or age-related change, the nucleus can push through, compressing adjacent nerve roots and triggering a chemical inflammatory response.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, lumbar disc herniations affect an estimated 5 to 20 adults per 1,000 annually, most commonly at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels. Research published in the Journal of Pain Research has examined how leaked nucleus pulposus proteins can trigger immune-mediated inflammation that contributes to nerve root pain independently of mechanical compression, which is one reason rest and anti-inflammatory medication alone may not fully resolve symptoms in some patients.
Why Do So Many Charlotte Disc Patients Remain in Pain?
The standard medical response, including NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, and epidural steroid injections, addresses parts of the clinical picture. Published research, including Cochrane reviews on epidural corticosteroids for radiculopathy, has reported modest short-term relief with limited benefit at longer-term follow-up. Strengthening exercises support function but do not directly decompress a nerve root under mechanical compression, and medications act on pain signaling rather than the structural source. For many patients, a combination of approaches that addresses both the structural and inflammatory components is part of the clinical conversation.
How Is the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Used for Disc-Related Pain at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte uses FDA-cleared, Class IV near-infrared laser energy directed at the spinal region, including the disc, the nerve root area, and the surrounding musculature, as part of a non-surgical care plan. The underlying phenomenon, photobiomodulation, has been studied for its cellular-level effects, with published research examining its relationship to mitochondrial activity and ATP production, inflammatory cytokine modulation, and tissue repair processes.
A 2017 systematic review in Lasers in Medical Science examined photobiomodulation across a range of musculoskeletal conditions, reporting findings relevant to inflammatory markers and tissue repair. Sessions typically run 20 to 30 minutes and the treatment is non-invasive. Each treatment plan is developed on an individual basis following clinical evaluation.
What Does the Research Say About Spontaneous Disc Resorption?
A substantial body of published research has documented that many herniated discs undergo spontaneous resorption over time, and that larger, non-contained herniations, often the type considered for surgery, tend to resorb at higher rates than smaller contained herniations. The factors associated with natural resolution that the literature describes include the local immune response to displaced disc material, patient age, and appropriate movement. Reduced local inflammation is one factor associated with this process, and it is an area in which photobiomodulation has been studied.
Who Qualifies for Non-Surgical Disc Care at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte?
Candidates may include patients with confirmed herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, radiating nerve pain, and facet joint dysfunction. Every patient receives a comprehensive clinical evaluation before any protocol is recommended. For Mecklenburg County patients who have received surgical recommendations and want a second opinion, the practice offers pre-surgical consultations.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/charlotte/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact ReliefNow Laser Charlotte at 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, Charlotte NC 28209 | 704-527-7246.
About the Authors
Dr. Goodman, DC and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, Charlotte NC 28209 | 704-527-7246 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/charlotte/
Dr. Goodman holds a BS in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida. Dr. Bradberry brings an international sports medicine background, having worked with Olympic-bound athletes from the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Estonia. Together they practice at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte and 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.
