expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Gena Wickes, D.C.

Chiropractor

Dr. Gena Wickes is a Chiropractor practicing in Dallas, TX. Dr. Wickes specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patients functionality and quality of life. Conditions treated include sciatica, neck pain, and arthritis pain, among many others. Dr. Wickes seeks to reduce pain and discomfort through manipulation and adjustment of the spine.
15 years Experience
Dr. Gena Wickes, D.C.
  • Dallas, TX
  • Parker College Chiropractic
  • Accepting new patients

Can you treat shoulder joint pain?

Of course! Chiropractors are well trained in extremity joints and can help shoulder pain whether coming from the actual shoulder joint or form the neck, which may be the start READ MORE
Of course! Chiropractors are well trained in extremity joints and can help shoulder pain whether coming from the actual shoulder joint or form the neck, which may be the start of some shoulder discomfort. *Gena Wickes, DC, cAVCA*

How often should you see a chiropractor for back pain?

The number of times you should see a chiropractor depends on your specific issue. If you have chronic back pain, it may be beneficial to see a chiropractor on a maintenance basis READ MORE
The number of times you should see a chiropractor depends on your specific issue. If you have chronic back pain, it may be beneficial to see a chiropractor on a maintenance basis to ease your discomfort and keep you from having more acute episodes of pain. If it is an acute issue from some type of injury, it would depend on the severity of the injury. The best way to know how often you should see a chiropractor is to be evaluated and then that doctor can give you a better idea. *Gena Wickes, DC, cAVCA*

How should I sleep with middle back pain?

With mid-back pain, you should try to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will take the stress off your mid and lower back to help you sleep better. You should READ MORE
With mid-back pain, you should try to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will take the stress off your mid and lower back to help you sleep better. You should never sleep on your stomach, pain or not, due to the hyper-lordosis (exaggerated curve) it puts in your lower back and the strain it puts on your neck, having it turned to one side or the other as you sleep. Side sleeping is fine with a pillow between your knees, to keep your pelvis level, but with mid-back pain, this can be aggravating due to the tendency to arch your mid-back in the fetal position, curling up in a ball. I hope this helps and as always, seek out a reputable chiropractor who is focused on your health. *Gena Wickes, DC, cAVCA*

Should I go to a chiropractor or a physical therapist for bad posture?

Both chiropractors and physical therapists can help. Physical therapists are usually more well versed in exercises that you may do on a daily basis. However, good posture is often READ MORE
Both chiropractors and physical therapists can help. Physical therapists are usually more well versed in exercises that you may do on a daily basis. However, good posture is often a byproduct of regular chiropractic care. By aligning the spine, the body finds its innate design and adapts to what your posture was created to be, which is perfect in ear over shoulder over hip over knee over ankle. A quick way to "trick" your brain into adapting to perfect posture is to stand against a wall, getting your heels to touch first, then your behind, your shoulders and finally your head. Stand there for about 30 seconds and then step forward. If you feel awkward, you need to be standing there longer. It's a simple exercise you can do anywhere for up to 5 minutes daily. It works with your brain's proprioception and therefore helps you achieve perfect posture. In getting there, you will notice more health benefits in your body functioning as it should. *Gena Wickes, DC, cAVCA* *Horse & Hound **Chiropractic, LLC* *www.horsenhoundchiro.com <http://www.horsenhoundchiro.com>* *(214)684-6863*

How can I adjust my lower back myself?

If you would like to make your pain worse, sure you can adjust your own back. Not meaning to sound snarky but even chiropractors cannot adjust themselves, as there is no way to READ MORE
If you would like to make your pain worse, sure you can adjust your own back. Not meaning to sound snarky but even chiropractors cannot adjust themselves, as there is no way to determine the crucial elastic barrier on yourself. Chiropractors are specifically trained and educated in the specific anatomy of the spine, muscles, and nervous system that comprise the lower back. We have to be able to feel where the joint locks out to know when to adjust and that is impossible to do on yourself. As you most likely do not have that training, and as I have said, even if you did, you still would not be able to adjust yourself safely. Please do yourself a favor and find a good chiropractor to adjust your low back.

Why do chiropractors require so many visits?

Chiropractic care requires several visits at first to get your body used to being in correct alignment. We have muscle memory and if we’ve been moving around out of alignment, READ MORE
Chiropractic care requires several visits at first to get your body used to being in correct alignment. We have muscle memory and if we’ve been moving around out of alignment, whether due to injury, illness, stress or poor posture, the muscles will tend to go back to what they are used to. They have to be trained to stay in their optimal posture and that takes lots of visits. The initial treatment plan may be as much as daily, but typically 3x/week, at the beginning, but will be reduced as the patient improves. Once in alignment and out of pain, maintenance care will be prescribed at anywhere from 2x/month up to once every 6 weeks. Most doctors recommend once a month, to make sure you stay in alignment, are less likely to be susceptible to injury and have a healthy, working nervous system. Just like going to the dentist, preventative care is better than dealing with injury.

Can hanging straighten your spine?

By "Changing," I am assuming you are meaning using an inversion table. Inversion tables are great for spinal decompression, but will not straighten your spine on its own. To make READ MORE
By "Changing," I am assuming you are meaning using an inversion table. Inversion tables are great for spinal decompression, but will not straighten your spine on its own. To make sure your spine is free misalignments, it's best to get checked by a chiropractor, as we are best at putting the spine into its optimal alignment and correcting the interference to the nervous system.

How long does knee adjustment take?

About 3 seconds. Your chiropractor will determine what bone in your knee needs to be adjusted by motion palpation , and checking the range of motion, but the actual adjustment READ MORE
About 3 seconds. Your chiropractor will determine what bone in your knee needs to be adjusted by motion palpation , and checking the range of motion, but the actual adjustment is very quick, whether by hand or with an instrument.

Why do my wrists pop when I roll them?

"Popping" in any joint is simply a release of gas that has built up within the joint, whether you are moving it yourself or it is being adjusted by a chiropractor. However, excessive READ MORE
"Popping" in any joint is simply a release of gas that has built up within the joint, whether you are moving it yourself or it is being adjusted by a chiropractor. However, excessive popping can be a sign of overuse or instability. You should have the joints evaluated if you feel it is the latter. Simple exercises can be given to strengthen the muscles that support the joint and give it more stability.

Can chiropractors make a herniated disc worse?

It depends on the chiropractor. Most chiropractic care will help relieve pain from a herniated disc by shifting the herniation with a well executed adjustment, prescribing appropriate READ MORE
It depends on the chiropractor. Most chiropractic care will help relieve pain from a herniated disc by shifting the herniation with a well executed adjustment, prescribing appropriate exercises and possibly the use of decompression. Unfortunately, some chiropractors are not as well trained as others and can be little more harsh/ aggressive in their adjusting style, which can actually make the herniation worse. Do your homework and find good one.

How do you know if back pain is muscle or disc?

Muscle pain can be close to the spine or father away, as the back is covered in deep and superficial muscles. Disc pain is more centralized to the spine and usually is sharp when READ MORE
Muscle pain can be close to the spine or father away, as the back is covered in deep and superficial muscles. Disc pain is more centralized to the spine and usually is sharp when an exacerbating movement occurs. At times, it can cause lack of movement, which muscles in spasm can also cause. The only definite way to know for sure, is through examination and/or MRI.

How should I sleep with neck pain?

You should never sleep on your stomach, with or without neck pain. In order to do so means your neck will be in an unnatural position for hours and can cause and/or exacerbate READ MORE
You should never sleep on your stomach, with or without neck pain. In order to do so means your neck will be in an unnatural position for hours and can cause and/or exacerbate neck pain. If you sleep on your side, make sure your neck stays even with your spine by having your pillow bridge the gap from your shoulder to your ear. If you sleep on your back, make sure you have rolled support under your neck, allowing your head to fall back slightly, to reinforce the natural curve (lordosis) in the neck. These tips should help you get some rest while keeping your neck stable.

Can I exercise with intercostal muscle strain?

It depends on how old the injury is and what exercises you will be doing. I would refrain from anything overhead or stretching your torso in any way until you are at least 4 weeks READ MORE
It depends on how old the injury is and what exercises you will be doing. I would refrain from anything overhead or stretching your torso in any way until you are at least 4 weeks out from the injury, and only then if you have support, like a compression garment or K-Tape. Once you start back, you may want to ease in with swimming, to lightly stretch and work on your breathing, to work the muscles. You can still exercise your your legs and lower abs, though.

How often should I get adjusted by a chiropractor?

That is dependent on whether you are experiencing pain or of you are a wellness patient. If you are experiencing pain, depending on how bad it is, you may need to be seen as often READ MORE
That is dependent on whether you are experiencing pain or of you are a wellness patient. If you are experiencing pain, depending on how bad it is, you may need to be seen as often as daily for a week or so, but if you are experiencing no pain and would just like to be under wellness care, you may need a few adjustments a week to get your spine used to being in the proper position, and then be converted to maintenance care at once a month or once every few weeks.

Does chiropractic help spondylosis?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments keep the spine mobile and that helps to lessen the progression of degeneration.

Do you have to take your clothes off for chiropractor?

No, you do not. Some chiropractors do a technique that has you in a gown that they can open from the back while you are on the table but you are never required to remove your clothes. READ MORE
No, you do not. Some chiropractors do a technique that has you in a gown that they can open from the back while you are on the table but you are never required to remove your clothes. Most DC’s adjust through your clothes.

Do ankle sprains ever fully heal?

Ankle sprains do heal but there can be scar tissue that can cause issues later. If you start having pain or deficits with the ankle, it’s best to have it checked. You could just READ MORE
Ankle sprains do heal but there can be scar tissue that can cause issues later. If you start having pain or deficits with the ankle, it’s best to have it checked. You could just have some bones that have shifted and need to be realigned, or the scar tissue could be causing the issue. The combined care of chiropractic and massage therapy should help.

Should I workout if my neck hurts?

You should continue movement to keep your neck from getting stiff. The answer to your question depends on your workout. I wouldn’t do any heavy over head lifts or strain your neck READ MORE
You should continue movement to keep your neck from getting stiff. The answer to your question depends on your workout. I wouldn’t do any heavy over head lifts or strain your neck with sit-ups or crunches, but if you have proper body form and don’t overdo, you should be fine to continue working out and the stretching may help your neck pain. Just know that when you are injured, more pain means stop. You can hurt yourself worse if you don’t.

What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?

A disc protrusion, or herniation, is caused when there are tears in the fibers on the outer portion of the disc. These fibers, usually through trauma, tear from the inside out READ MORE
A disc protrusion, or herniation, is caused when there are tears in the fibers on the outer portion of the disc. These fibers, usually through trauma, tear from the inside out and allow the viscous center of the disc to push out, causing the herniation. This tear will never heal and can get worse if you have another trauma to the spine. The fastest way to get rid of the discomfort is with decompression therapy. The table will pull and release, creating a vacuum effect in the spine, pulling the protruding disc back in. This therapy, along with chiropractic care, is your best bet for comfort.

Which shoulder is higher in scoliosis?

It depends on the direction of the curvature of the spine. It is not the same for all scoliosis patients. There may not even be a high shoulder, possibly just rib humping or a READ MORE
It depends on the direction of the curvature of the spine. It is not the same for all scoliosis patients. There may not even be a high shoulder, possibly just rib humping or a higher hip, if the curvature is lower in the spine.