What patients most remember about Dr. Pickens is her attitude, which elevates her already exceptional expertise.
As soon as they meet her they can tell that she lives by her favorite Mahatma Gandhi quote: ...“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” She's a living reminder that it is our response to life's external forces that shapes our reality.
A competitive athlete throughout her entire childhood in Chicago's south suburbs, Dr. Pickens developed low back pain. Familiar with chiropractic due to his own experience with degenerative joint disease, her father took her to see a chiropractor right away. Shortly after starting a treatment plan, she was pain-free, but aware that her level of activity and genetic predisposition could set her up with spine issues down the road.
While scouting medical schools, she was referred to a corrective care chiropractor who taught her about subluxation and its effect on the nervous system. After a few months of regular chiropractic care, she noticed a wide-range of health improvements: she no longer caught her annual colds, flu or strep and, to this day, remains active in sports with no signs of degenerative disease.
To maintain her wellness, Dr. Pickens plays soccer, enjoys the physical and mental challenge of CrossFit, reads, spends time in nature and samples new restaurants. She also coaches gymnastics and teaches young athletes about discipline, hard work overcoming obstacles to achieve goals.
After receiving her BS in movement science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Pickens earned her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Parker University, where she participated in student government and Parker’s Sport Chiropractic Club. She also led the women’s soccer team in the annual Chiro Games and received the James W. Parker Chiropractic Philosophy Award, which is given to the student, “who, to an outstanding degree, has demonstrated the principles of friendship, love of mankind, and the compassion to serve in the practice of chiropractic.” She continues to do just that while specializing in sports injury and family wellness care.