By: Dr. Goodman, DC and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Research published in the Journal of Pain has documented consistent racial disparities in pain assessment and treatment across American healthcare settings, including findings that Black patients receive less pain treatment than white patients for comparable conditions and are more likely to have pain attributed to psychological rather than structural causes. For Black patients in Charlotte, Gastonia, and across Mecklenburg County, who carry disproportionate rates of diabetes, obesity, and hypertension that can compound musculoskeletal pain, these disparities are a meaningful health equity concern. A practice committed to consistent, evidence-based evaluation for every patient is one part of a broader response to that concern.
Photobiomodulation works through biological mechanisms that are not specific to any patient demographic. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, every patient receives the same comprehensive evaluation and the same access to the clinic’s care.
What Does the Research Show About Pain Care Disparities?
A 2016 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Hoffman and colleagues) found that about half of a sample of white medical students and residents endorsed false beliefs about biological differences in pain between racial groups, and that endorsing those beliefs predicted less accurate pain treatment recommendations for Black patients. Additional research published in the Journal of Pain has reported that racial and ethnic minority patients receive adequate pain treatment at lower rates across emergency, primary care, and specialist settings.
Charlotte’s Black community, in neighborhoods from University City to West Charlotte to South End, carries disproportionate rates of diabetic neuropathy, arthritic joint disease, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Consistent, individualized clinical evaluation for these conditions is part of equitable care, and it is the standard the practice applies to every patient.
How Does ReliefNow Laser Charlotte Approach Care for Every Patient?
The Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol is studied across diverse patient populations. A 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in Neurology examined photobiomodulation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a condition that disproportionately affects Black and Latino patients with diabetes, and reported favorable findings across the studies analyzed. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, the protocol is offered as part of a non-surgical, non-pharmacological care approach, with each treatment plan developed on an individual basis following clinical evaluation.
Dr. Goodman’s community engagement, through Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Rotary Club, reflects a commitment to Charlotte’s broader community that extends from the clinic to the neighborhood. ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, located at 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, serves patients across Charlotte’s diverse communities.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/charlotte/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact ReliefNow Laser Charlotte at 4601 Park Rd, Suite 100, Charlotte NC 28209 | 704-527-7246.
About the Authors
Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, studied at UNC-Charlotte and Palmer College of Chiropractic, with training in neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition, and is active in the community through Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Rotary Club. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, studied at the University of Florida and graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic, holds the CCSP certification, and brings an international sports medicine background. 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.
