Dr. Pickens decided to pursue a career in health care, because he had a strong desire to help people who were in pain or sick. He specifically chose to become a chiropractor as result of the phenomenal results he experienced through chiropractic care of his own painful injury.
After already reaching the national level of competition in powerlifting by his freshman year in college, Dr. Pickens injured his upper back doing heavy squats (weighted deep knee bends). As a result, he went from being able to use 400 lbs. for repetitions at a body weight of 165 lbs., to barely being able to stand the weight of an empty 45 lb. Olympic bar across his shoulders. After six months of seeing doctors and therapists and trying a variety of unsuccessful therapies, someone at the health spa where Dr. Pickens was working for the summer, suggested he see a chiropractor. Desperate for relief, he immediately scheduled an appointment.
“I was amazed at the results. Although I experienced a little pain during the first couple of adjustments, I also experienced almost immediate relief of the pressure I had felt for months. I was adjusted three times in the first week, and by the end of that week, I was able to do squats again. Soon, I was able to surpass the previous weight I was lifting.”
This life-changing personal experience eventually led Dr. Pickens to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life Chiropractic College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he graduated valedictorian of his class in 1984.
“It surprises many people to discover that I have had my share of back and neck problems. Most of my patients are shocked to hear that I get adjusted at least once a week. I hate to think of the condition I would be in today if someone hadn’t suggested chiropractic to me years ago, or if I weren’t getting regular care now. The fact is, if it weren’t for chiropractic care, I would be in constant pain, or be on medication most of the time to be able to function.”
