Life is too short to live with pain—and no one understands that better than Dr. Samuel Richards, Tierra Verde resident and founder of Burghealth Physical Medicine. Whether you’re struggling with chronic back pain, mobility issues, or post-injury recovery, Dr. Richards has built a one-stop destination for healing that melds traditional rehab with cutting-edge therapies.

Dr. Richards’ path into physical medicine started at just 14 years old—on a wrestling mat at St. Pete High. Thrown onto the varsity team because of an open weight class, he quickly found himself in excruciating pain his freshman year.

That pain led him to his family chiropractor—and a spark of curiosity. The following year, after tearing his ankle, he experienced the power of rehab firsthand. “It stuck with me,” he recalls. “I shadowed my chiropractor during my senior year and again through college breaks. I was blown away by how many people were getting better without medication.”

Graduating with a Biomedical Science degree from USF with emphasis in public health, Dr. Richards decided to pursue chiropractic and physical medicine. His goal? To restore function, help prevent surgery, and empower people to live fuller, more mobile lives.

What began as a chiropractic office has grown into a full-fledged physical medicine practice, officially launching under that umbrella a year and a half ago. Today, Burghealth offers a combination of services designed to fill the gaps traditional care can’t always cover—regenerative therapies, IV nutrition, chiropractic care, physical therapy, spinal decompression, and more.

One of his driving motivations is to help patients avoid surgery when possible.  “Some of my patients come in for rehabilitation immediately following surgery or after poor recovery from surgery. Surgery has its place,” he says, “but often there are alternatives that can restore motion, prevent falls, improve coordination, and help people get back to doing the things they love.”  

“The costs of living with pain are sometimes just accepted and hard to quantify.  Choosing to prioritize your mobility with the available non-invasive techniques can pay dividends in continued quality of life. We want to help as many people as possible,” Dr. Richards explains. “Not everything is covered by insurance, but that shouldn’t limit access care. Insurance coverage is slow moving and can be late to the party with innovative and effective techniques.”

Dr. Richards lights up when he talks about success stories: patients who couldn’t walk, now climbing stairs. Those who were afraid to travel, now off enjoying vacations. “I love seeing people take their lives back,” he says.

His passion also led him to collaborate with podiatrists, orthopedists, and other medical professionals, even offering scar tissue therapies and deep-tissue laser treatments that go beyond the basics.

“Every person is different. Every recovery is different. That’s why we take a hands-on, customized approach,” he explains.

Burghealth isn’t just a business for Dr. Richards; it’s the culmination of a lifelong passion that began with a teenage injury and a powerful realization: the human body has an incredible ability to heal when given the right tools and support.

And now, he's built a practice dedicated to doing just that.

What sets Burghealth apart? A focus on functional rehab and hands-on care delivered with personalized attention. Every exercise is taught and monitored carefully—no handing over a printout and walking away. Dr. Richards and his team, perform a review of each patient’s applicable imaging reports and history, and personally apply laser and manual therapies in most cases for the specific patient’s focus, whether that focus is an injury, post-surgical care, or enhancing athletic performance.  The staff ensures every patient is moving correctly, targeting the correct muscles, and making measurable improvement. 

Whether it’s an elderly patient regaining balance, a weekend warrior bouncing back from injury, or a post-operative patient rebuilding strength, Burghealth’s mission is the same: Get you out of pain and back on track—stronger, faster, and better than before.