By Dr. Goodman, DC and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Knee pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in the United States. In Charlotte, where running, CrossFit, cycling, soccer, lacrosse, and trail activity drive a year-round athletic culture, knee injuries and arthritic degeneration are among the most common clinical presentations at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte. Many patients in Charlotte South, Ballantyne, Pineville, Matthews, and Myers Park arrive after being told that cortisone injections and eventual knee replacement are the only path forward. For them, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol is a non-surgical option worth understanding before committing to that path.
Cortisone injections for knee osteoarthritis can provide short-term relief, and research has found that repeated injections may be associated with greater cartilage volume loss over time.
Dr. Goodman is a CrossFit athlete who has competed in 5k and Spartan races, and he treats the same kinds of athletic knee demands he manages in his own training. Dr. Bradberry is a CCSP who has worked with Olympic-bound athletes, and knee injury assessment and management is a core part of sports chiropractic care. Together, that mix of athletic experience and clinical training shapes how the team approaches knee care at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte.
What Is Actually Happening in an Arthritic or Injured Knee?
Osteoarthritis involves progressive cartilage breakdown, including subchondral bone exposure, bone spur formation, and chronic synovial inflammation. The CDC reports that osteoarthritis affects more than 32.5 million U.S. adults, and the knee is one of the joints it most commonly affects. A 2017 JAMA study found that patients receiving triamcinolone injections every 12 weeks had significantly greater cartilage volume loss over two years compared with placebo. A 2015 NEJM study found that partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tears was no more effective than sham surgery.
What Does the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Do for the Knee?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses FDA-cleared, Class IV near-infrared laser energy applied to the knee joint. Class IV laser therapy is a form of photobiomodulation, a treatment category researchers have studied for its role in pain management and tissue recovery. A 2014 systematic review in Lasers in Medical Science reported that photobiomodulation was associated with reductions in pain and improvements in function. A 2019 study in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery reported improvements in both pain scores and range of motion.
What Does Dr. Goodman’s Neurokinetic Therapy Add for Knee Patients?
The knee is a transmission joint that receives forces from the foot and ankle below and the hip and pelvis above. Dysfunctional motor patterns, such as inhibited gluteal muscles, overactive hip flexors, and faulty landing mechanics, can create asymmetrical loading across the knee. Dr. Goodman’s neurokinetic therapy training looks for these motor control contributors and works on them alongside the laser protocol. It is a part of knee care that considers how the whole lower body moves, not only the joint where pain shows up.
What About ACL and Ligament Injuries in Charlotte’s Athletic Population?
Dr. Bradberry’s CCSP credential includes training in knee ligament assessment and sports knee management, the kinds of presentations most relevant to Charlotte’s competitive athletes. For the soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and CrossFit athletes of Mecklenburg County whose knee injuries involve ligamentous and meniscal components alongside articular pathology, the combined clinical backgrounds at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte support a thorough evaluation and treatment approach outside of a hospital setting.
To learn more about the practice, visit ReliefNow Laser Charlotte’s provider page, or watch patient education on the ReliefNow Nation YouTube channel. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte is located at 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, 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 is a CrossFit athlete and Spartan racer, and he volunteers 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 the CCSP credential and has a background in sports medicine, including work with Olympic-bound athletes. Both are providers in the national ReliefNow® network, founded by Dr. Robert Hanopole, DC.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.
