By: Dr. Goodman, DC, and Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Hip pain is among the most limiting musculoskeletal conditions affecting adults over 50, and for many patients, conservative care is worth exploring before surgery is considered. Active adults across Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Ballantyne, and Myers Park often find that hip pain interferes with running, cycling, golf, or daily function. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry offer a non-surgical approach built around Class IV laser therapy and a full assessment of the hip and the structures around it.
Many patients with hip osteoarthritis are told that surgery is the path forward. Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry take a conservative-first view, evaluating whether non-surgical care may be appropriate before joint replacement is considered. Their focus is on understanding the source of the pain and the structures involved, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Dr. Bradberry’s CCSP background includes specific competency in hip assessment, particularly hip labral pathology, greater trochanteric bursitis, and the piriformis and deep external rotator conditions that affect Charlotte’s running and cycling communities. Dr. Goodman’s neurokinetic therapy training adds competency in identifying inhibited gluteal muscles and hip stability deficits that concentrate stress on the hip joint.
What Are the Most Common Sources of Hip Pain in Charlotte Adults?
Hip osteoarthritis, which produces deep groin pain and limited internal rotation, is the leading cause of chronic hip pain in adults over 50. Greater trochanteric bursitis produces outer hip aching that worsens with side-lying and prolonged walking. Hip labral tears produce deep groin catching that is frequently missed in standard evaluations. Hip flexor tendinopathy, common with the repetitive hip flexion of cycling, running, and CrossFit squat patterns, produces anterior hip and groin pain distinct from arthritic presentations. A 2016 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy estimated that greater trochanteric pain syndrome affects approximately 1.8 per 1,000 patients in primary care annually.
How Does Class IV Laser Therapy Work for Hip Pain?
Class IV laser therapy uses FDA-cleared devices to deliver concentrated light energy into the hip joint, bursal structures, and surrounding soft tissue. The approach is grounded in photobiomodulation, the process by which light interacts with cells. Researchers have studied photobiomodulation for its proposed effects on inflammation, circulation, and tissue activity. A 2017 systematic review in Photomedicine and Laser Surgery examined photobiomodulation for hip osteoarthritis and reported reductions in pain and improvements in function, and a 2022 meta-analysis in Arthritis Research and Therapy described clinically meaningful benefits alongside a favorable safety profile. At ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, this therapy is one part of a broader assessment and care plan rather than a standalone promise of results.
What Is the Lumbar-Hip Connection That Charlotte Patients Should Understand?
The L2-L3 and L3-L4 nerve roots supply sensation to the anterior thigh and groin, areas where hip pathology also produces pain. When symptoms actually originate in the lumbar spine, hip-only treatment may not address the underlying source. Both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry evaluate the full lumbar-hip kinetic chain in every hip pain patient, with the goal of identifying proximal contributors that a hip-focused evaluation can miss.
More information is available from ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, and patient education videos are available on the ReliefNow Nation 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, studied at UNC-Charlotte and Palmer College of Chiropractic, with post-graduate training in neurokinetic therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, studied at the University of Florida and graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic, holds the CCSP credential, and has worked in sports medicine with Olympic-level athletes. 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.
