By: Dr. Goodman, DC, and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Peripheral neuropathy affects an estimated 20 million Americans. For many patients in Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Ballantyne, and across Mecklenburg County, the usual first response has been pharmaceutical, often gabapentin or pregabalin aimed at the sensation rather than the nerve. Class IV medical-grade laser therapy takes a different route. It is a non-invasive option that works at the tissue level, and it has become a growing part of how some clinics approach chronic nerve symptoms.
If you have been managing neuropathy with medication alone for months or years, a thorough evaluation can help clarify what is driving your symptoms and what options are available.
At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte on Park Road, our clinical team brings two perspectives to neuropathy care. Dr. Goodman’s training in biology and chiropractic science shapes a detailed understanding of the neurological and structural factors behind nerve damage. Dr. Bradberry’s international sports medicine background, which includes work with Olympic-bound athletes from four countries, adds a focus on tissue recovery. That combination guides how the clinic approaches each patient.
What Is Peripheral Neuropathy and What Makes It So Difficult to Treat?
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the peripheral nerves, the network that carries signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the body’s extremities. When those nerves are damaged, the signals become distorted. The brain may register pain where nothing is wrong, numbness where there is touch, or weakness in muscles that remain 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. The American Diabetes Association reports that diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects roughly half of people with diabetes over their lifetime. North Carolina’s diabetes rates run above the national average, which makes diabetic neuropathy a meaningful clinical concern across Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
How Does Laser Therapy for Neuropathy Work?
Class IV laser therapy is an FDA-cleared treatment that delivers medical-grade near-infrared light to tissue. At the cellular level, this light has been studied for its role in stimulating mitochondrial activity, supporting ATP production, and influencing the signaling pathways involved in tissue health. Photobiomodulation, the broader category this therapy belongs to, has been examined across several forms of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetic and chemotherapy-related types.
Research in this field continues to develop, and results differ from study to study and patient to patient. What draws clinical interest is the emphasis on the underlying tissue rather than the pain signal alone. That focus is the reason a growing number of clinicians have added laser therapy to their care options.
Why Do Some Patients Look Beyond Gabapentin and Pregabalin?
These medications work by calming overactive pain-signaling neurons. For some patients, that brings real relief. For others, the relief is partial and arrives with side effects such as cognitive dulling, weight gain, or dizziness, and the medication does not change the underlying nerve damage. When the medication stops, the discomfort often returns.
Published reviews of gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain have found that only a portion of patients reach substantial pain reduction, and a notable share stop treatment because of side effects. Patients who want to address the nerve tissue itself, rather than quiet the signal, are among those who ask about laser therapy.
What Can Patients Expect From Neuropathy Treatment?
Every case of neuropathy is different, and the response to any treatment varies from one person to the next. A thorough evaluation comes first, because the cause, severity, and duration of nerve damage all shape what a treatment plan looks like. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, the focus is on function, helping patients move, sleep, and handle daily life with less interference from nerve symptoms.
Care plans are built around each patient’s history and goals rather than a single fixed protocol. The clinical team reviews progress through the course of treatment and adjusts the approach as needed.
To learn more, visit the ReliefNow Laser Charlotte page or watch the patient education videos on the ReliefNow Nation channel. The clinic is located at 460 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209, and can be reached at 704-527-7246.
About the Authors
Dr. Goodman holds a BS in Biology from UNC 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. 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.
