By Dr. Goodman, DC + Dr. Bradberry, DC | ReliefNow Laser Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 3 to 6 percent of adults and accounting for approximately 500,000 surgical procedures annually. For Charlotte’s banking and finance professionals, healthcare workers, construction tradespeople, and technology workers, hand function is fundamental to professional performance. In many cases, surgery is presented as the definitive solution before tissue-level non-surgical care has been meaningfully explored.
For mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, which represents the majority of presentations, controlled clinical trials have examined non-surgical care, including laser therapy, alongside surgical release. Patients benefit from understanding the full range of options before signing a surgical consent.
Dr. Goodman’s post-graduate training includes laser therapy application, and he has clinical experience with photobiomodulation in the context of nerve conditions, including carpal tunnel. He also holds post-graduate acupuncture training, which he incorporates into his approach to nerve-related care. Dr. Bradberry’s sports medicine background includes experience with wrist and hand injuries in athletes such as golfers, tennis players, and overhead-sport athletes, where carpal tunnel and median nerve compression are common presentations.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and What Causes the Symptoms?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament. Through it passes the median nerve and nine flexor tendons. When the tunnel becomes crowded from tendon inflammation, repetitive stress, or structural factors, the median nerve is compressed. That compression produces the characteristic numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, along with nocturnal symptoms, grip weakness, and, in advanced cases, thenar muscle atrophy.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that carpal tunnel syndrome causes more missed workdays than almost any other occupational injury. For Charlotte’s professional workforce, that makes it a direct economic and performance concern.
What Does the Research Say About Non-Surgical Carpal Tunnel Treatment?
A 2009 randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Hand Surgery reported that non-surgical treatment produced outcomes equivalent to surgical release at three-month follow-up for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. A 2013 Cochrane Review reported comparable short-term outcomes between conservative management and surgery for mild to moderate cases, with a lower risk associated with conservative approaches.
How Does Laser Therapy Work for Carpal Tunnel?
Near-infrared laser therapy is a non-invasive modality that delivers light energy to targeted tissue, including the carpal tunnel region. Researchers have studied its effects on inflammation and nerve tissue. A 2002 randomized controlled trial in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine reported that laser therapy was associated with improvements in median nerve conduction velocity and symptom scores, an objective electrophysiological measure used in carpal tunnel research.
What Is the Double Crush Dimension and Why Does It Matter?
The median nerve originates from the C6 and C7 cervical nerve roots. Compression at the cervical spine combined with compression at the wrist can produce compound nerve entrapment, known as double crush syndrome. This may help explain why some patients continue to have hand symptoms after a technically successful carpal tunnel release. Both Dr. Goodman and Dr. Bradberry evaluate the full nerve pathway, from the cervical spine through the thoracic outlet to the wrist, so that proximal contributors that a standard wrist evaluation might overlook can be considered as part of the assessment.
To learn more about ReliefNow Laser Charlotte, visit their Charlotte practice page. 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.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.
About the Authors
Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, studied at UNC-Charlotte and Palmer College, with post-graduate training in laser therapy, acupuncture, neurokinetic therapy, rehabilitation, and nutrition. A CrossFit athlete, he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the Rotary Club. Dr. Douglas Bradberry, DC, graduated from the University of Florida and completed his chiropractic degree with honors at Palmer College, earning his CCSP, with a background in Olympic-level sports medicine. 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.
