If you’ve been diagnosed with Neuropathy, give yourself a self-evaluation. There are several risk factors for peripheral neuropathy caused by many conditions and behaviors. For example, people with diabetes who poorly control their blood sugar levels are very likely to suffer from some neuropathy. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis also increase one’s chance of developing a neuropathy. People who have received organ transplants, AIDS patients, and others who have had some type of immune system suppression have a higher risk of neuropathy. In addition, those who abuse alcohol or have vitamin deficiencies (especially B vitamins) are at an increased risk. Neuropathy is also more likely to occur in people with kidney, liver or thyroid disorders.

There are several ways to manage neuropathy and prevent its symptoms. Good foot health is important, especially for diabetics. Patients should check feet for blisters, cuts, or calluses, and avoid tight fitting shoes and socks. We also recommend an exercise plan that will reduce neuropathy pain and control blood sugar levels. Patients should also quit smoking and eat healthful meals. Massages of hands and feet may also aid neuropathy management by stimulating nerves and temporarily relieving pain. Finally, it is advised to avoid prolonged pressure on knees or elbows in order to prevent new nerve damage.

At Burford Spinal Rehab, we believe that through a program focused on nutrition, soft tissue manipulation, and high frequency nerve stimulation therapy, we can achieve not only lasting relief, but give you the long term ability to manage your ongoing treatments at home. Our program has given many patients suffering from neuropathy a great deal of success, and a new lease on life. Dr. Burford will instruct you to take vitamin supplements during the program as these are essential to help your body rebuild the damaged tissues and help you recover by providing your body the building blocks that it is lacking or needing more of. These nutrients will help you achieve the maximum result of the Neuropathy Program.

Neuropathy is a devastating condition. But with the proper care plan, we believe you will have a very good chance to return to a more normal life. Give Burford Spinal Rehab a call at 901-853-1734, and take the first step in getting your neuropathy pain under control.

Dr. Burford can help you recovery from an injury

One of the fundamental beliefs all chiropractors have is in the natural and homeopathic methods in managing health care. We have a deep respect for the human body’s ability to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. We want to help optimize and restore what the patient brings to the office, themselves. Doctors of Chiropractic devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health.

When you’re recovering from an injury, be it sports related or work related, you need to be in the care of a holistic program that is geared toward harnessing your body’s ability to heal itself. A program that is geared towards proper nutrition, hydration, and adjustments designed to strengthen the areas of the body that have been damaged. And methods that provide insight on how to prevent the recurrence of the injuries. Healing your injury the healthy way is our goal, we don’t rely upon dangerous drugs or addictive painkillers to ease your pain. There are better, safer ways to heal from injury.

Dr. Burford will discuss your specific injuries and history with you, and show you how the mechanics of your body movement could be contributing to your injury or pain. Sometimes a dramatic injury earlier in life can directly contribute to a condition that appears many years later. Accidents, falls, and other trauma at an early age can cause a misalignment to the spine, neck and other parts of the body that you depend on. He will order or review x-rays of the injured areas of your body, and examine the areas to assess the severity of the injury, and help determine the proper approach to speed up the healing process. He will develop a personalized plan to get you on the road to recovery through a full range of treatments, including the proper mix of diet and exercise, massage, relaxation techniques, and anything necessary to strengthen your body, and accelerate the healing process.

Dr. Burford is committed to providing close, personal attention to all his patients and takes pride in giving them the assurance that the personal assistance they receive comes from years of advanced training and technical experience. Heal from injury healthier, and faster. Call Burford Spinal Rehab today at 901-853-1734!

Discs are the shock absorbers of the spine

To understand the headline above, you first have to under­stand a little about what a spinal disc is and what it does. The bones of the spine (vertebrae) are sepa­rated and cushioned from one another by strong, elastic tissue that looks something like an innertube. We call these “innertubes” spinal discs.

Discs help the spine absorb the shocks, knocks, bumps, twists, and bends encountered in everyday living. Normally, discs do their job well for a lifetime, but sometimes, due to injury, or repeated occupational or recreational stresses, a disc bulges and presses or pinches a spinal nerve. This can cause great pain and is commonly called a slipped disc. Another condition that affects the spinal discs is degenerative disc disease. At birth, the discs are 80% water. As you age, the discs dry out and become less able to absorb shock and force. Most people by age 60 have some level of degenerative disc disease, but not all are symptomatic. In other words, they may not have pain — yet. Injuries also contribute to degenerative disc disease. Usual daily activities and sports contribute as well. Having more nerve endings deeper into the outer area of the disc may be a factor in pain associated with degenerative disc disease.

A chiropractic examination will usually determine what is causing your back pain and what to do about it.  We would also review or order any necessary MRI studies. Through our findings, we will develop a customized treatment plan that will help you recapture a life that is free of lower back pain, so you can go on to enjoy your life pain-free and feel young again. We use a combination of hydration, muscle exercise, ligament exercise, adjustments, body weighting, muscle strengthening and sometimes even recommend spinal decompression to lessen the excruciating pain caused by disc problems.

Do yourself a favor, schedule a chiropractic evaluation if you suspect you have a disc problem.  Dr. Burford has given relief to hundreds of area residents who have back, leg or arm pain related to disc problems. He has a great success rate, and a great system to rehabilitate the spine back to a more flexible, hydrated spine. Give him a call today at 636-395-0399!

Get the curve back in your spine!

The human spine is a biological marvel. When it’s young and healthy, there is nothing like it. It is the highway that contains the nerves that route to every part of our body. So to maintain a healthy body, you absolutely must start with the proper care and maintenance of your spine. Since there is no owner’s manual that came with your spine, you’ll have to visit Dr. Burford for the proper instructions!

The curves in the spine allow the muscles attached to the spine to function properly. Each curve works together in synchronized harmony. For your spine to function properly, you need all these curves functioning together in the proper balance.

Spinal curvature provides strength, balance and enables your body to move in fluid motion. Spinal curvature provides strength and balance, and enables your body to move in fluid motion. So when anything is even slightly out of sync, the muscles connected to the spine cannot properly control it’s motion. The result is wasted energy and poor control of motion. Young, healthy backs that haven’t suffered injury or accident are still flexible and unencumbered. But as one ages, life tends to take its toll on the spine, and things get out of sorts. When your spine begins to lose its elasticity, and the discs lose their hydration, the muscles begin to contract, resulting in potentially chronic back pain. This is why regular chiropractic care is so important, especially as one ages. Just as you do with your car, your back needs to be put on a regular maintenance schedule.

Dr. Glen Burford is an expert in his field. He understands your spine, and how its curvature is vital to your overall balance, health and well-being. He can diagnose a spinal curve abnormality, be it too little curve, or too much curve. He understands what the symptoms are, what you are feeling, and how to correct it. So keep your spinal highway free of problems with regular chiropractic visits. Because it’s better to catch back issues early, before they create much more serious problems later on. Call our office today at 901-853-1734!

You can improve your posture with some simple exercises

As we age, there is a tendency for people to forget some of the simplest lessons we were taught in our younger days. Surely you remember your 03mother, or maybe even your gym teacher telling you to “stand up straight!”, and stressing the importance of good posture and its effects on your health, especially the health of your spine. But over time you’ve forgotten all that, and all these years later you’ve developed some back pain issues. Don’t despair! Here are few exercises that will help strengthen your core, and help you to improve your posture.

Most importantly, always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program. This is especially true if you are experiencing any pain issues, especially with your spine. You need to be certain that there isn’t an underlying condition that you can aggravate and make your pain issues worse than they were before you started the program. After doing that, and getting the “OK” to begin an exercise program, here are a few simple but effective exercises for you to try. These are all exercises that can be done in the comfort of your own home, no gym membership required!

First is the pelvic tilt. Lay on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, relax your upper back on the floor. Slowly but firmly press your lower back on the floor. This will make your abs tighten. You should remain in this position for 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat this 7 to 10 times.

Next is the curl up. You can remain on the floor and do this right after the pelvic tilt exercise above. Tuck your chin and in a curled up posture, slowly raise your shoulders up off the floor. Your feet should remain against the floor. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat this exercise 7 to 10 times. Then slowly move back to your starting position, keeping your abs tucked the whole time.

Next is the curl up with rotation. Do the curl up you just did above, followed by twisting the body towards your left side. Hold that position for 10 to 15 seconds, then slowly roll back down to the floor, and repeat the curl up again, then twist to your right side and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds. Then roll back to the floor slowly. Repeat this 7 to 10 times. Don’t forget to do the pelvic tilt each time you raise off the floor, then the rotation to either side.

Our last exercise is the pelvic tilt with an abdominal contraction. First perform the pelvic tilt again, then lower your head back to the floor and keep it there. Using your abdominal muscles, draw your knees toward your chest while wrapping your arms under your knees. Keeping your head on the floor, hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds, feeling the tension in your lower back. Repeat this 3 or 4 times.

These exercises can lead to better posture, and relief from lower back pain. They will strengthen your abs, and stretch the lower back muscles. Always remember not to overdo any exercises, or perform them if they are causing you pain or discomfort. If the number of repetitions is too much for you, reduce them and over time you can increase the reps as your body becomes more accustomed to doing them. Exercise is meant to make you healthier, not aggravate any existing condition you have.

Caution is always the most important issue where exercise is concerned!

To recap, see your healthcare provider before you begin an exercise program, then exercise to strengthen your core, and improve your posture. Call Dr. Burford at 901-853-1734 for any back pain related issues, and remember… always listen to your mother!

You don't need to go jogging outside in the dead of winter to keep off those pounds

During the winter months some people have a pretty hard time keeping their weight under control. All of that delicious holiday food combined with a  low level of activity tends to make a person go into hibernation. Hibernation leads to lots of excess weight, which of course needs to be dropped once again in time for the bathing suit season. This winter, take charge of the battle of the bulge by absorbing some of these common sense tips on how to never gain those extra pounds in the first place!

First of all, don’t deny yourself all of the things you love. People who diet by refusing themselves treats (a soda here and there, a piece of candy) tend to gain way more weight than people who occasionally indulge themselves. It’s human nature not to be happy about removing something from your life that you want there-so when you fail, you fail big. It’s OK to have a soda every once in a while, or a piece of candy. But do it in moderation. Don’t take that second piece of candy, or have that soda every day. If you give yourself a reward or two when you deserve it, weight loss won’t have to control your life, and your friends won’t have to hide from you because you keep counting calories all the time!

If you’re going to the mall, park way out and walk in. Or get to the mall early, and walk the entire mall. Small choices like these are the key to keeping the weight off. The more active you are everyday, the harder it will be to pick up that extra winter weight. Don’t allow yourself to just sit around on your couch on the weekend, you can find chores to do…even in the winter. Clean out your basement, or your garage. Shovel the snow, do whatever is necessary to stay active. You’ll end up burning the winter calories, and end up with a better looking body and a better looking house!

If you slipped up and gained some weight over the holidays, don’t go on crash diets that deprive your body of valuable nutrients to cause you to lose weight. These lose weight fast diets also don’t give you the discipline needed to keep the weight off when the diet is through. Just stick to eating three healthy meals a day (no fast food!). If you have a sweet tooth, don’t sit down and eat a bag of M&M’s, have an apple, or a banana. Get in some moderate exercise 3 to 4 times a week for at least a half hour. Do this and you’ll be much happier, and lose much more winter weight than with the quick fix diets.

You can also remove some of the “extras” from your routine. For example, drink your coffee black, cream and sugar add a ton of calories. Cut back on chocolate and other sweets unless it’s only an occasional thing, skip the cheese and mayo on your sandwich at lunch, skip the soda in favor of some tea (but no sugar), and just look at your normal food choices, and try to cut out calories that you don’t typically think about. In no time at all, you’ll look in the mirror and see a smaller, better you!

Just like a singer takes care of their voice for their livelihood, you need to take care of your body!

We live in Tennessee. Home of the Grand Ole Opry, Elvis Presley and the birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll. We’ve got country music, soul, blues, jazz and everything in between. The amazing singers and performers here have always gone to great lengths to keep their vocal chords in great shape so that they can perform to full capacity. This conditioning makes their performances memorable, and helps to add years to their careers.

Well, the human body is the same way. You need to continually tune it up, making sure that everything is working properly and at peak performance. Yet there are still those who don’t understand all the benefits that chiropractic care can provide. Many average citizens only visit a chiropractor when something is hurting. But chiropractic care should be more like visiting the gym to keep in shape, something you do to maintain a pain free, healthy body. To spell out the benefits of regular chiropractic care for you , here are fire solid reasons to add a chiropractor to your medical care team today…

Chiropractic care can increase your immune system function. A healthy immune system is absolutely vital in maintaining excellent health. And improving the function of your immune system is a huge benefit in keeping you healthier, and not getting sick all the time. Chiropractic manipulation eliminates the interference to the natural flow of spinal nerves, resulting in a more efficient immune system. People who utilize chiropractic care regularly have fewer colds and when they do the symptoms are less severe.

Chiropractic care can also help you to manage your pain by locating and correcting serious nervous system stress. Having regular spinal adjustments will repair uneven balance, allowing your joints and muscles to relax and loosen therefore producing less pain and stress.

Chiropractic care can improve and increase your range of motion. By using spinal manipulation, the restrictions on the spine become less painful. Chiropractic treatment can often help to speed up your recovery time following an accident or injury. Chiropractors will work with you to find exercises that will continue to aid you in recovering all or most of the range of movements you had before the injury or accident.

Chiropractic care can help keep you from taking prescription drugs. Since chiropractic care is based on homeopathic care they can help you avoid the overuse of highly addictive pain medications and other drugs that often have serious side effects that can further increase your health issues. The fewer drugs you take the less dangers await you down the road.

Chiropractic care can keep you on top of other medical conditions that need attention. Since chiropractic medicine deals with your overall health and well being, a chiropractor often discovers health conditions that are outside his realm of training. When this occurs, your chiropractor will refer you to a medical professional who can help you deal with these needs, helping to ensure your continued good health.

A good chiropractic doctor is vital to maintaining excellent health. Contact Dr. Burford today for an appointment, you’ll be glad you did. Call (901) 853-1734 or email us.

Several of the more commonly affected nerves are the median, ulnar and radial nerves. These are the nerves which go from the neck, down the arm and to the hands. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, for example, is caused by compression on the nerve of the wrist and hand. As with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, the typical symptoms of a pinched nerve are along the lines of numbness and tingling in the influenced extremity.

Another commonly influenced nerve is the sciatic nerve. This is a fairly large nerve that extends down every leg, beginning from the base of the spine. It goes clear on down into the foot. An individual who complains of numbness or tingling in his leg or foot could be suffering from the pinching of the sciatic nerve.

A pinched nerve is comparatively common. It is frequently the source of discomfort, yet seldom the source of chronic hurting. Though, left unattended, the pinched nerve will go on to give off the warning signs of numbness and tingling. Left not healed a pinched nerve can turn out to be a chronic problem. In case the nerve becomes damaged the signs can get irreversible. In unusual occasions, nerve damage may cause chronic pain. Pinched nerves could be brought on by damage from an accident, repetitive motion, or a slipped disc in the spine. In the case where a minor accident may be the cause of the pinched nerve, a doctor might take a “wait and see” approach, and give the injury time to heal over and the swelling time to reduce. For chronic pain, other more aggressive treatments may be in order, such as spinal decompression.

When it comes to treating the spine, we believe in the benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy. Many of our patients have experienced tremendous improvement in relieving their back pain, and have been able to resume a normal, pain-free lifestyle. Our state-of-the-art equipment is guided by a computer which controls the extent and angle of gentle stretch applied to the spine. The treatment generally lasts 30 minutes, and in conjunction with regular exercise, hydration and adjustments, it is a very effective program for conquering your back pain.

Spinal Decompression Therapy is completely supervised by our expert medical professionals. The procedure is simple, the patient lies on a decompression table and is strapped to the equipment. We program the computer in such a way that the body’s natural tendency to resist external force and generate muscle spasms is minimized. The stretching on the decompression table creates a negative pressure that draws bulging disc material inward and back between the vertebrae. Over a period of time, spinal decompression treatment allows the outside spinal material to heal. Sometimes the patient feels quick relief of symptoms, but actual healing takes months as treatments change scar tissue to a more useful healthy tissue. It’s pain-free, and safe. We have a very high success rate, and many testimonials from our patients for you to review.

So say hello to Dr. Burford, and say goodbye to your chronic back pain. Contact Burford Spinal Rehab today by calling (901) 853-1734 or emailing us.

Burford Spinal Rehab can help you achieve relief from pain without the need for pain medication

If you’ve been suffering from back pain, and have visited a regular MD, chances are you’ve been prescribed pain medication as part of your treatment. If so, are you aware that they aren’t your only alternative? Truth be told, they are probably one of the worst things you can do for your pain. A more sensible choice is to seek chiropractic care. So what makes chiropractic care so much better than pain tablets you may be wondering? What proof is there that its better? Well read on, because we have several reasons for you right here.

Pain medication doesn’t cure back pain. Sure, it gives you relief, but only in the short term. Pain medication only hides the problem. It’s still there. As quickly as your pain pills wear off, the discomfort is probably going to return. And pain medications can be highly addictive, so you are running the risk of trading your pain management problem for a drug problem. Not a good trade-off in anyone’s opinion!

Chiropractors diagnose the source of your pain, and solve the problem. They don’t try to disguise the problem with pain medications. And they treat it and by going directly to the source. For most this is the spine and connecting joints. By treating the problem at the source, you will get relief, but that relief should be long lasting, if not long-standing.

Treating pain with prescription painkillers often leads to long-term consumption of medicine. Not only is this risky, but extremely expensive. Even with insurance covering the price of most prescription drugs, their costs quickly add up over the long-term.

If you’re afraid of the cost of chiropractic care, be aware that many insurance policies carry coverage for it. Check with your insurance carrier to find out. And continued chiropractic care is not necessary in all cases. It’s not unusual for a chiropractor to perform an adjustment, have you comeback for a follow-up appointment, and then show you some helpful at-home therapy strategies to reduce pain, and keep it from coming back. After that, you may be done. Three appointments with a chiropractor, regardless of if you pay out-of-pocket, are more economical than years of prescription medications.

Prescription medications have plenty of side-effects. Users can experience upset stomachs, drowsiness, and more. And these complications can adversely affect your life. Pain relief should enhance your life, not create a long list of problems for you to deal with.

Chiropractic care is totally natural. It can include massage, nutritional care, and manual adjustments among other things. It is safe, and holistic. And you will lose your pain without becoming dependent on prescription medications. So if you find yourself reaching for pain relievers to treat you pain and discomfort, stop! Pick up the phone and call Dr. Burford for an appointment at 901-853-1734. You’ll be amazed how easy it is to find long-lasting relief without the need for drugs.

Eliminate back pain with Spinal Decompression Therapy. Get back to doing the things you love!

Back pain from sciatica hurts. You can’t bend. You can’t sit. You can’t walk. You’re missing days at work, and other activities you’ve always taken for granted. It seems you can’t do anything without extreme discomfort. Sciatica is best described as pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and down the back of one or both legs, caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerves, the largest nerves of the body.  It usually begins as an acute pain in the lower back and then radiates down the back of either or both legs.  There are five pairs of nerves that exit the spine in the lower back.  These nerves make up what we know as the sciatic nerves.  If the vertebrae or bones in the lower back are misaligned or out of place; or the disc between the vertebrae are swollen, bulged or herniated, the result is pressure on those nearby nerves.  This can cause tremendous pain and normal daily activities become almost impossible.

Faced with this, you may have just about given up on all the regular treatments your regular health care provider has to offer. Drugs, massage, more drugs, and then comes the inevitable “S” word…surgery. Your spine is a delicate thing, and to have surgery on it should only be a last resort option. Too many things can go wrong, and what once was a minor problem can end up being much worse. You could even end up paralyzed. So faced with this agonizing problem, what are you supposed to do to relieve your pain, non-invasively? And safely? Maybe it’s time for you to look into the benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is frequently used when discs in the spine have compressed together pinching the nerve or restricting movement in the spine. This compression can be the result of disc injury or disc degeneration. In some cases the compression is can be caused by habitual poor posture that, over time, causes tight muscles to work in a way that compresses the spine leading to nerve restriction and pain. The spinal compression can also have the effect of reducing nutrients to the affected part, impeding the body’s ability to heal the area. The basic objective of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is to the gently stretch the affected spine so that the compressed area is relieved.

At Burford Spinal Rehab, we believe in the benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy. Many of our patients have realized great improvement in eliminating their back pain, and have been able to resume a normal, pain-free lifestyle. Our state-of-the-art equipment is guided by a computer which controls the extent and angle of gentle stretch applied to the spine. The treatment generally lasts 30 minutes, and in conjunction with regular exercise, hydration and adjustments, it is a very effective program for conquering your back pain. Over a period of time, spinal decompression treatment allows the outside spinal material to heal. Sometimes the patient feels quick relief of symptoms, but actual healing takes months as treatments change scar tissue to a more useful healthy tissue. It’s pain-free, and safe. We have a very high success rate, and many testimonials from our patients for you to review.

So say  “goodbye” to stiffness and pain and saying “hello” to a better quality of life, with Burford Spinal Rehab’s  non-invasive Spinal Decompression Therapy. We’ll have your back on-track in no time! Call Dr. Burford at 901-853-1734 to schedule a free consultation.