By Dr. Goodman, DC + Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting 58.5 million adults according to the CDC. Many active adults and aging residents of Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Ballantyne, and Gastonia have cycled through cortisone injections and NSAID management while still searching for lasting joint improvement. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte offers a different option for these patients. The practice provides a non-surgical, Class IV laser therapy approach to joint care that focuses on the tissue itself rather than ongoing pharmaceutical management.
A landmark 2017 JAMA study found that cortisone injections produced significantly greater cartilage volume loss over two years compared to placebo. The treatment most commonly offered for arthritic joint pain was, in that study, associated with greater loss of the cartilage it was meant to protect.
Both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry have direct clinical experience with the musculoskeletal wear that athletic lifestyles and physical careers accumulate over time. Dr. Goodman, a CrossFit athlete and Spartan racer, understands joint health from a firsthand perspective. Dr. Bradberry, a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician whose career spans work with both Olympic athletes and weekend warriors, brings that sports-medicine background to everyday patient care.
What Is Osteoarthritis and What Is Happening to the Joint?
Osteoarthritis involves the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, the smooth protective tissue covering the ends of bones. As cartilage degrades, subchondral bone is exposed, bone spurs form, and the synovial membrane responds with chronic inflammation that produces swelling, stiffness, and pain. The CDC reports that osteoarthritis affects more than 32.5 million U.S. adults. A 2019 study in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that osteoarthritis prevalence rose by 48 percent between 1990 and 2019.
What Does the Research Show About Cortisone and Long-Term Joint Health?
The landmark 2017 JAMA study on knee osteoarthritis found that patients receiving triamcinolone injections every 12 weeks had significantly greater cartilage volume loss over two years compared to those receiving saline. The American Geriatrics Society also flags NSAIDs in older adults as carrying significant gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal risks with long-term use. Taken together, this research raises questions about whether some common arthritis treatments may affect the very joints they are meant to manage.
How Does Class IV Laser Therapy Work for Arthritic Joints?
ReliefNow Laser Charlotte uses an FDA-cleared, Class IV near-infrared laser as part of its approach to joint care. This category of treatment, known as photobiomodulation, delivers light energy into tissue, and researchers have studied how that energy interacts with the cells involved in cartilage maintenance and inflammation. A 2014 systematic review in Lasers in Medical Science reported that photobiomodulation was associated with reductions in pain and improvements in function among knee osteoarthritis patients. A 2022 meta-analysis in Arthritis Research and Therapy described clinically meaningful benefits across multiple joint presentations alongside a favorable safety profile.
What Does Dr. Goodman’s Nutrition Training Add for Arthritis Patients?
Dr. Goodman’s post-graduate nutrition training adds a dietary and anti-inflammatory dimension to how the practice approaches arthritis care. Systemic inflammation, which is shaped by diet, metabolic dysfunction, and lifestyle factors, can contribute to arthritic joint degeneration. Considering the systemic inflammatory environment alongside joint-level treatment reflects a broader approach to care rather than focusing on a single modality.
How Does Laser Care Compare to Joint Replacement Surgery?
Knee replacement averages $30,000 to $50,000 in direct costs and requires 6 to 12 weeks of restricted mobility. BMJ Open research has documented persistent post-surgical pain in approximately one in five patients at three to four years. Non-surgical laser therapy does not involve that surgical recovery period, which is part of why some patients explore it before considering surgery.
More information about the practice is available through ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, and patient education videos are available on the ReliefNow patient education 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, studied at UNC-Charlotte and Palmer College, with post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. He volunteers in his community with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the Rotary Club. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, studied at the University of Florida and graduated with honors from Palmer College. He holds a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) credential and has a background in Olympic sports medicine. Both are providers in the national ReliefNow network, co-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.
