By: Dr. Goodman, DC + Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Class IV laser therapy, the photobiomodulation technology used by professional sports teams and Olympic training centers worldwide, is available to Charlotte’s competitive and recreational athletes at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte on Park Road. What sets this practice apart among Charlotte sports medicine providers is the clinical background both doctors bring. Dr. Bradberry is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician who has worked with Olympic-bound athletes from the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Estonia. Dr. Goodman has worked with NFL, NBA, NASCAR, PGA/LPGA, and USTA tennis players, along with collegiate track and field athletes, Ironman competitors, CrossFit athletes, and classically trained ballet dancers. That combined sports medicine experience, at the highest levels of athletic performance, shapes the clinical approach at ReliefNow Laser Charlotte.
Sports injuries left undertreated can become chronic conditions. Achilles tendinopathy that begins as post-run soreness can progress into a degenerative tendon that takes months to rehabilitate. The window for early intervention matters, well before a condition becomes structural and chronic.
What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries Limiting Charlotte Athletes?
Charlotte’s active population presents a consistent profile of overuse and acute injuries. Runners train on the U.S. National Whitewater Center trails, cyclists ride the greenways, CrossFit athletes work out in Ballantyne, soccer and lacrosse players compete across Mecklenburg County, and golfers play the courses in Pineville and Matthews. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that chronic tendinopathy accounts for roughly 30 percent of all sport-related musculoskeletal injuries in recreational athletes.
Both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry are athletes themselves. Dr. Bradberry competes in soccer, football, basketball, golf, and running. Dr. Goodman trains in CrossFit and weightlifting and takes part in 5K and Spartan races and team sports. They understand the demands of athletic training from personal experience, not only from clinical study.
What Does the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Do for Athletic Tissue Repair?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses Class IV near-infrared laser energy applied to injured tissue. At the cellular level, this form of light therapy, known as photobiomodulation, is designed to stimulate mitochondrial activity as part of the body’s natural repair process. A 2017 systematic review in Lasers in Medical Science examined photobiomodulation across musculoskeletal injuries and reported the strongest research support for tendon and muscle conditions.
The protocol is offered for both acute and chronic presentations. For recent injuries, laser therapy is used during the inflammatory stage of recovery. For chronic overuse injuries, it is applied as part of a broader rehabilitation plan that addresses tendon and muscle tissue. Sessions run 20 to 30 minutes. The treatment is non-invasive and typically involves minimal downtime.
What Does Dr. Bradberry’s CCSP Credential Add to Sports Injury Care?
The Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician designation is one of the more demanding advanced credentials in chiropractic. It calls for additional training in sports medicine, exercise science, and the diagnosis and management of athletic injuries. For Charlotte athletes who want sports injury care matched to their performance demands and return-to-sport timeline, that credential reflects the kind of clinical focus they are looking for.
What Does Dr. Goodman’s Pro Sports Background Add?
Having worked with NFL, NBA, NASCAR, PGA/LPGA, and USTA tennis players, Dr. Goodman brings experience with the high-load, high-stakes injuries where an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan matter most. His post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition adds further clinical depth to the sports injury care he provides.
Which Sports Injuries Does ReliefNow Laser Charlotte Commonly Treat?
Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, IT band syndrome, hamstring and quadriceps strains, patellar tendinitis, ankle ligament sprains, and sport-related lumbar strain are among the conditions the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol is commonly used to address. A 2014 randomized controlled trial in the American Journal of Sports Medicine reported that laser therapy reduced pain and improved functional outcomes in patients with Achilles tendinopathy compared with a control group.
More information about the practice is available on the ReliefNow Laser Charlotte provider page, and patient education videos can be found on the practice’s 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, is a North Carolina native who earned his BS in Biology from UNC-Charlotte and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has worked with NFL, NBA, NASCAR, PGA/LPGA, and USTA tennis players, and holds post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. He is active in Charlotte’s community through Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Rotary Club.
Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, earned his BS in Human Nutrition from the University of Florida and his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic with honors. He holds the CCSP designation and has 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.
