Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kelly Kent-Hickman.
Dr. Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The journey that led me to chiropractic was a rather painful one, but nothing easy is ever worth having. I had been having debilitating migraines for years growing up. They were unrelenting. Even after years of seeking help from every specialist in our area, nothing was helping. I heard the same from every doctor, that I had every symptom of a brain tumor, yet they couldn’t find proof of one. One day, after years of my dad’s insistence, I gave his chiropractor a try for an unrelated hip issue. After one adjustment, my migraine was gone. That doctor both saved my life and gave me the gift of a path for my own.
I researched many chiropractic schools and chose Parker University here in Dallas due to the Parker Principles that were developed by the founder of the school, James Parker. They include such statements as: “Loving service is my first technique,” and, “Love is the magic bullet of healing … when I love each person as a mother, father, brother, sister, or child.” This was in alignment with the kind of doctor I wanted to be. It’s the kind of doctor I wish I had during those many years of my suffering. The principles touched my heart so much that my family packed up everything we owned and headed south to Texas.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After obtaining my doctorate at Parker, I realized that I’d grown to love Dallas, the state of Texas, the weather, and the people. I found a position as an associate doctor at a practice here in DFW where I stayed for four years while trying to figure out my next step so that I could continue to grow and to help more people and in a greater way than I was under someone else’s roof.
There I realized that I was being held back from being the kind of doctor that I had set out to be. I wanted the autonomy to be able to love my patients and care for them more fully. I wanted to be in a situation where, at the end of the day, I knew that patient care was more important than money.
The one thing standing in the way was my own self -doubt and fear. Luckily, I was blessed with a whole lot of people (family, friends, and patients) who believed in me; they wanted to see me fulfill my dreams, build my perfect practice, and help as many people as possible.
Better & Better Healing Arts – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I always wanted to be a different kind of doctor, reminiscent of the old school, small town, family doctor. When you contact our office, you speak to me directly instead of a secretary. I’m available for questions at any time. If I am awake, I’m here for my patients. If they are in need, I do house calls. They’re essentially a member of a concierge practice minus a membership fee. I feel that the future of healthcare needs to be a little more like the past, more personalized and caring. My patients tell me that they actually look forward to visiting the doctor for the first time. I feel blessed that I’m able to help them. My patients make me better too!
At Better & Better Healing Arts we are a wellness clinic that offers chiropractic care, medical massage, and Cryoskin treatments. As per our name, we pride ourselves on making our patients feel better and better with each visit. We see patients of all types from infants to athletes to geriatrics. I know some doctors have favorites, but I love everyone that walks in. We specialize in prenatal care, pediatrics, sports medicine, scoliosis, neurological conditions, and people who want to live their best lives. Chiropractic isn’t just for headaches and low back pain. It not only gets you out of pain but is also a form of preventative care that keeps us well. Medical massage targets specific problem areas that are keeping you from being well and helps the chiropractic adjustment hold longer. Cryoskin is a new slimming and toning treatment from Paris that helps you to feel better about yourself and increase your self-confidence, and when you feel better you do better.
At our clinic, we are known for our personal touch. Patients know from the moment they meet us that we truly care. The time we spend with our patients is valued. Dr. Parker taught us that the best doctors have “present time consciousness.” The best doctors spend their time with you to meet you where you are. For instance, our first visit is one and a half hours, face to face with the doctor. This allows us to get to know you, your state of health, and how to best get you to your best possible self. We allow 45 minutes for the most thorough adjustment of your life, and through all of this our patients become family.
What were you like growing up?
You can sum up my childhood in two words: mountains and music. I was born and raised in the rural mountains of West Virginia. I spent most of my time outside of school exploring hills, fields, mountains, and streams. I grew up in a very loving, tight-knit community where everyone knew everyone and never hesitated to help anyone who needed it.
At a very young age, I told my parents that I wanted to be a “baby doctor” as soon as I realized philanthropist wasn’t something you could apply for. I became fascinated by science classes early on in my education. I tried extremely hard in all of my academic pursuits from the very beginning. I carried that all of the way through my doctorate. I knew education was important because many people around me had been denied one. My grandfather only made it to third grade; he couldn’t read or write. My grandmother finished only sixth grade. Both of my parents were able to graduate from high school, but college wasn’t an option or even a thought, due to their financial situations and expectations. I always knew that I wanted more. I wanted to break that cycle. I wanted to see what kind of potential I could fulfill with the best education available to me.
Aside from my more studious pursuits, most of my extra-curricular activities and energy were spent on music. Starting with my first choir in 4th grade, clarinet, piano lessons, and ending with my participation in every choir I could fit into my schedule in high school. Music truly shaped my life as well. It’s a healing art too. That’s why it’s part of our name.
The best part is that my choir director/second mother from those formative years of high school has also relocated to DFW, and is now a patient of mine. It’s quite the blessing to be able to pay her back for her loving service with my own. Life is a circle of love if you’re doing it right!
At the end of the day, our main mission is to spread love. Being able to help people to feel physically better is the best way I know how to express my love and share it with the world.
Pricing:
- New Patient Visit $250
- Existing Patient Visit $125-150
- Medical Massage 1 Hour $105
- Cryoskin session $350 (or package of 5 for $1500)
Contact Info:
- Address: 3811 Turtle Creek Blvd. Suite 525, Dallas 75219
- Website: betterandbetterhealth.com
- Phone: 214.357.9119
- Email: drkelly@betterandbetterhealth.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/betterandbetterhealingarts
- Facebook: facebook.com/betterandbetterhealingarts
Image Credit:
Photography by Vonda Klimaszewski
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