By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Peripheral neuropathy affects an estimated 20 million Americans, and for many of those patients, the clinical response has been a prescription for gabapentin or pregabalin that targets the sensation rather than the underlying nerve. Class IV medical-grade laser therapy is a different category of intervention. Rather than working as a pharmacological pain blocker, it delivers therapeutic light energy at the tissue level.
Laser therapy is generally considered more useful when introduced earlier in the course of nerve degeneration. For patients managing neuropathy symptoms with medication alone, a comprehensive evaluation with a qualified clinician can help clarify the available care options.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center on Polk Street in Hollywood, Florida, I have practiced chiropractic care for more than 27 years, serving patients from across Broward County, including the diabetic and retired populations of Hallandale Beach, Aventura, and Fort Lauderdale. Many had not previously encountered laser-based options as part of their care plan.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy and Why Is It So Hard to Treat?
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves, the network that carries signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. When those nerves are damaged, signals become distorted. The brain receives pain messages from nerves not being stimulated, numbness signals from areas being touched, and weakness signals from muscles that are structurally intact.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates that peripheral neuropathy affects more than 20 million people in the United States. Diabetes is the most common cause. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 50 percent of people with diabetes over time, according to the American Diabetes Association. Florida has one of the highest state diabetes rates in the country, which makes this a particularly relevant clinical concern in Broward County’s communities.
Other causes include chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chronic alcohol use, autoimmune conditions, and vitamin B12 deficiency. What makes neuropathy difficult to treat is the damage to the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers. Pharmaceutical management suppresses the pain signal. It does not directly address the underlying myelin damage.
What Does the Research Say About Laser Therapy for Neuropathy?
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the practice uses FDA-cleared Class IV laser equipment that delivers medical-grade near-infrared light energy to targeted tissue. In the broader research literature, photobiomodulation has been described as engaging cellular processes including mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity, ATP production, and oxidative stress regulation.
A 2021 systematic review published in Frontiers in Neurology reported improvements in pain scores, nerve conduction velocity, and quality of life measures in patients with peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic, chemotherapy-induced, and idiopathic populations.
A 2017 study in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology reported measurable improvements in nerve fiber density following photobiomodulation treatment.
Why Does Gabapentin Fail So Many Neuropathy Patients?
Gabapentin and pregabalin reduce the activity of overexcited pain-signaling neurons. For some patients, this provides meaningful relief. For many others, it provides only partial relief and brings significant side effects such as cognitive dulling, weight gain, dizziness, and dependency concerns.
A 2019 Cochrane Review on gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain found that fewer than half of patients achieved meaningful pain reduction, while a significant proportion discontinued due to adverse effects. These medications target pain signaling rather than the underlying nerve condition itself, so when medication is discontinued, symptoms generally return.
What Does Graston Technique Add for Neuropathy Patients?
For patients whose nerve symptoms are partly driven by mechanical nerve compression (from fascial restrictions, scar tissue, or entrapment in connective tissue tunnels), Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue method that addresses these mechanical components. When peripheral nerves run through chronically tight fascial tunnels, their blood supply can be compromised and their signals distorted. Restoring normal tissue mobility around these nerve pathways is one rationale for combining manual and laser-based approaches in the same care plan.
Combining laser therapy and Graston Technique reflects the multidisciplinary training I bring to neuropathy care at Broward Medical and Rehab.
What Can Hollywood and Broward County Neuropathy Patients Expect?
Patient experience varies, and individual responses to laser therapy depend on the underlying cause and severity of neuropathy. A clinical evaluation establishes whether laser-based care is an appropriate option and what a reasonable course of treatment might involve. The aim of care at Hollywood Laser Pain Center is to support functional goals such as walking comfortably and sleeping without disruption from nerve symptoms.
My practice serves Broward County’s diverse population, with patient communication in English, Spanish, Russian, and Haitian Creole.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Watch patient education at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 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. References to studies and clinical research are provided for informational context only and should not be interpreted as guarantees of results, endorsements, or proof that any treatment will work for every patient.
