Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving from Thursday, November 27, 2025, through Saturday, November 29. We will resume our normal hours on Monday, December 1 at 10 am.
Safer, Healthier Breast Screening in Roanoke
The next Thermography screening at our office in Roanoke will be on Monday, February 16, 2026 from 2pm-5:30pm. Please note that you will need to call the number below to schedule an appointment–our office does not do scheduling for thermography.
Thermal imaging is FDA registered, safe, painless and non-invasive plus it can detect breast tissue changes very early. It is also used to detect and follow inflammation; half-body and full-body screenings are available in addition to breast screenings. To learn more or to schedule a screening call 888-580-0040. Also, check out the website www.longevitythermography.com.
Enjoy Life Without Pain
Please explain why you came to our office.
“Lower back pain.”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“Feel much better. Can get out of bed without pain and do the things I enjoy doing. Thank you!”
~55 year-old female
Cleansing Tooth Powder
This is a good way to add to the benefits of brushing your teeth with baking soda. Make it convenient and mix some in a small jar and keep it in your bathroom. Besides having stain-removing power and an anti-acid, cavity-fighting effect from its alkaline nature, the mix is also anti-microbial and leaves the mouth feeling very clean.
This can be used instead of toothpaste! Just put a 1/2 tsp or so in the palm of your hand and soak up with a dampened toothbrush. Brush your teeth well, add a little water to the mix in your mouth and then swish thoroughly for a few minutes before spitting out. Rinse with some more water.
The tea tree oil is anti-microbial so don’t leave it out–it is so useful to have in your medicine cabinet that you really should always have it available (we use it for insect bites, tick removal and tick bite treatment, and as a bug/insect repellent–use externally only so don’t swallow this tooth powder). The other essential oils help with the taste but are not as necessary.
Into a small jar mix the following:
4 Tbsp. baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
4 drops tea tree oil
4 drops of wintergreen or peppermint essential oil
4 drops clove essential oil
4 drops myrrh essential oil
Signs of Parasites
Many people are concerned about having parasites these days and there are doctors practicing natural healing who recommend parasite cleanses for anyone who has an auto-immune disease. It is important to remember that there are many types of parasites, some microscopic and others seen by the naked eye–think worms!!! It follows that different treatments will be effective for specific types of parasites. Dr Lee Merritt has good information about this on her website, themedicalrebel.com.
Regardless of any diagnosis, there are definite signs to watch out for so that you know you need to follow up with treatment:
- Itchy bottom/anus (pin worms)
- Unexplained weight loss (tape worm?)
- Constant hunger without gaining weight
- GI disturbances, including nausea upon awakening
- Coughing fits that last 5 or so minutes and repeat every 7-10 days (round worms?)
- Hives, facial redness that are not related to an immediate food allergy
There are many herbal formulas available that are not specific and may not be effective, especially for egg-laying worms. In many cases, taking conventional medicines as prescribed and which are designed to stay in the gut (they are not systemic) is the best treatment. Dr. Merritt has good information about this so follow the link above to read more. Also, long-term dosing is not generally necessary with the anti-parasitic meds so that the issue of side effects is not of great concern. For anyone who has had pinworms spreading through the family, this is a no brainer–take the single dose med, clean all your linens and cloths, and be done with it!
It pays to be pro-active. Vacations abroad are often the point of contamination so be careful when travelling. Another common source is having pets in your house. For both of these cases, it is especially important to watch out for those signs listed above. Don’t forget to wash your produce very well–even the stuff that is from your garden or the local farmer!
Parkinson’s and Constipation?
HOW MANY CHRONIC DISEASES ARE CONNECTED TO TOXIN EXPOSURE? This question must be asked and the answer should be the focus of research. This summary explores Parkinson’s Disease which is a very good example of a chronic disease which can result from long-term exposure to environmental toxins.
Summary from a Mark Hyman MD podcast with two prominent neurologists.
Before Parkinson’s Disease is ever diagnosed, these prodromal signs may manifest:
-constipation
-loss of sense of smell
-gut dysfunction
-acting out dreams (REM sleep behavior disorder or RBD)
-anxiety
Wow! What does constipation have to do with the brain? Turns out the buildup of mis-folded proteins that are associated with Parkinson’s show up not only in the brain but in the gut and the skin! This is a whole body disease that was first observed in London during the Industrial Revolution when the air pollution caused by coal-burning was extreme. It has been associated with farmers who are heavily exposed to pesticides/herbicides for decades now. And people who live within one mile of a golf course have a 126% increased risk for developing Parkinson’s from the chemicals that are sprayed there. Also, the heavy metal toxins, aluminum and mercury, are found in high concentration in the brains of not only Parkinson’s but Alzheimer’s patients as well.
Small wonder we are seeing an epidemic of Parkinson’s disease! Low-level, chronic exposure to toxins has almost never been recognized by medical professionals as a cause of chronic disease. And the number of toxins we are exposed to has steadily increased over the last one-hundred or so years.
So there are two kinds of Parkinson’s—one that is gut first (toxins are ingested) and the other which is brain first (toxins are inhaled). The common denominator seems to be mitochondrial damage mainly to nerve cells from toxins whether they are air-born or from food and drink, and whether they affect the brain through the olfactory nerve or the gut through the vagus nerve.
The bottom line– prevention is the most important strategy we can use. Some suggestions: Avoid constipation and address gut dysfunction (schedule a nutrition consult), avoid exposure to aluminum (from cans, cookware, vaccines) and mercury (from fish and amalgam dental fillings), carbon filter your water (consider a reverse osmosis unit), use indoor air-purifiers, buy organic as much as possible (visit ewg.org) and wash your produce, and take good quality nutritional supplements (ask us for help with this).
Health Over Money
Please explain why you came to our office.
“Not long after moving to Roanoke in 2005, I met a fellow construction worker who showed me an exercise that Dr. Burgoon gave him to help keep his back in shape on the job site. I do that exercise to this day. I started seeing Dr. Burgoon in 2006 for preventative maintenance, as well as help when I’ve overdone it. The people at Towers Family Chiropractic sincerely care about their patients’ wellbeing. One measurement of this is all the exercises that Dr. Burgoon has given me that help me not have to come see him. He values my health more than my money!”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“I am healthier, happier, and more productive because of the care I receive at Towers Family Chiropractic.”
~71 year-old male
The Risks Are Real
TYLENOL RISKS ARE REAL
Helping you to better health naturally has always been our purpose. That means using natural means as much as possible for pain relief and chronic conditions. We inform our patients about the side effects of their medications in order to increase consumer awareness. It has been well known for many years that Tylenol can increase liver enzyme levels in blood tests. What does that mean? It means that this drug causes destruction of liver cells.
Many studies, as summarized in this link , show an association of tylenol use during pregnancy with the development of autism. Since there are natural options to deal with pain and fever, why take the risk of tylenol? Chiropractic and nutrition therapies are the best natural, non-invasive, first choice for pain relief for people of all ages—including pregnant women. The risk discussed in the linked article should be taken very seriously. This is not about politics—it’s about your health and the health of our children
Gluten-free Pesto Pizza
This is a summer/fall recipe for basil lovers to try when they still have fresh basil and vine-ripened tomatoes available. It is quick to make if you have some pizza dough or gluten-free bread dough, and basil oil on hand. The basil oil is essentially “pesto” but without the nuts that are normally in pesto. The ghee gives the “pesto” a creamy texture and taste so it is best not to leave it out–follow the link for the recipe.
Cheese is optional. Olives, anchovies or other toppings are options.
General ingredients
-enough Pizza dough for your pizza pan
-basil oil, enough for a light spread on your pizza
-tomatoes, thinly sliced enough to arrange over your pizza
-cheese of your choice, if desired (I like pecorino)
Press the pizza dough into your pan to about 1/4 inch thickness. Bake it in a 375 degree oven until dough is cooked through. Remove from oven and spread pesto on the crust. Arrange tomato slices on the pizza. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake again for 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Not Fun
Please explain why you came to our office.
“I stopped by for neck and back pain. It felt like my left shoulder was up to my ear before I came in. Shooting pain down my back. It was not fun.”
Please describe your response to treatment.
“After a few adjustments there was a noticeable difference. Felt like I was walking around normally again. Thank you all for helping me. This is a great place. :)”
