Degenerative disc disease is among the most common diagnoses in spine care, and it is also among the most misunderstood. Patients across Charlotte are often told their discs are degenerating as though the finding is a fixed, irreversible verdict. The research tells a more nuanced story. Discs are metabolically active structures, and they can respond to clinical care. Rather than treating disc changes as the end of mobility, a more useful approach looks at the surrounding tissue, circulation, inflammation, and spinal mechanics that influence how symptoms develop over time. For many patients, that perspective reframes degenerative disc disease from a hopeless label into a condition that can be managed with a comprehensive, science-informed strategy.
What Degenerative Disc Disease Actually Means
Disc changes are far more common than most patients realize. A 2015 study in the American Journal of Neuroradiology found disc degeneration visible on MRI in over 90 percent of adults by age 60, and most of those people had no symptoms at all. The presence of degeneration on a scan does not, by itself, explain pain. What tends to determine whether the condition becomes clinically significant is the inflammatory environment around the disc, the way the spine is loaded during daily movement, and a person’s own neurological sensitivity. Each of those factors can shift over time, which is why two people with similar imaging can have very different experiences.
How the ReliefNow Approach Looks at the Whole Picture
At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol is built around FDA-cleared Class IV laser therapy, a modality used in pain management and tissue recovery. Instead of focusing on the disc in isolation, the protocol considers the tissue, circulation, and spinal mechanics surrounding it, along with the mechanical and nutritional factors associated with degeneration. Research published in the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine has examined laser-based and physical rehabilitation approaches for chronic spinal pain, including disc-related presentations. A comprehensive plan is designed to account for the conditions that shape how a disc behaves rather than treating a single symptom.
Why Training and Assessment Matter
The clinicians’ backgrounds shape how each case is evaluated. Dr. Goodman’s post-graduate nutrition training is relevant here because adult discs receive nutrients by diffusion through end plate permeability, a process influenced by systemic metabolic health. Dr. Bradberry’s CCSP competency brings a structured assessment of the postural and loading factors associated with disc degeneration, which matters regardless of how a current pain episode is handled. Dr. Goodman also draws on neurokinetic therapy to identify and address dysfunctional motor patterns, the kind that place abnormal compressive load on already-degenerated segments. Taken together, that assessment looks past the symptom to the mechanics behind it.
The Case for Acting Sooner
Degenerative disc disease is progressive by nature. The patients who tend to benefit most from non-surgical care are those who begin before structural changes advance. This is not a promise of any particular outcome. It reflects how the condition develops over time. Recognizing the contributing factors early gives patients and clinicians more room to build a thoughtful, individualized plan.
Learn more about ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, or watch educational content on the ReliefNow Nation YouTube channel. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28209. Phone: 704-527-7246.
About the Authors
Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, is a North Carolina native who earned a BS in biology from UNC-Charlotte before studying chiropractic at Palmer College. His post-graduate work spans neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, graduated from the University of Florida and completed his chiropractic studies with honors at Palmer College, later earning his CCSP alongside a background in sports medicine. Both practice within the national ReliefNow® network founded by Dr. Robert Hanopole, DC.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. This content is not intended to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be used as a substitute for guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Individual results may vary, and any treatment program should be discussed with a licensed medical professional who can evaluate personal health history, symptoms, and needs. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program or making changes to their current care plan.
