More Than a Sports Chiropractor: A Career Built Around Sports, Science, and Movement

 

Dr. Cheryl Lee-Pow brings a distinctive combination of advanced sports medicine training, experience in competitive athletic environments, a personal background in athletics, and clinical education to her work at PowHer Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Rockville, Maryland.

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As a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians® (DACBSP®), Dr. Cheryl has pursued advanced sports medicine training focused on the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal conditions affecting athletes. She also holds the Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner® (CCSP®) and International Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (ICCSP) credentials. Her additional clinical training includes Active Release Techniques® (ART), Graston Technique®, Nimmo Technique, SpiderTech kinesiology taping, dry needling, and Erchonia cold laser therapy. She has also completed training in trauma biomechanics through the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

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Sports Medicine Experience: From the Clinic to the Field

Dr. Cheryl's experience extends beyond the clinical setting into competitive sports and athletic event coverage. Her involvement includes the DC Divas women's professional football team, Bullis High School Track & Field, and EX2 Adventures, as well as major sporting events such as the U.S. and Jamaican Olympic Track & Field Trials, U.S. National Taekwondo Championships, Maryland Dew Tour, Nation's Triathlon, Congressional Football Game, and NCAA Division I Championships.

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These experiences have given her exposure to the physical demands athletes face across different sports and competitive settings. Her work reflects an appreciation for the importance of individualized care, understanding the demands of each sport, and helping athletes work toward their functional and performance goals.

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An Athlete's Perspective

Dr. Cheryl's understanding of athletic performance is shaped not only by her clinical training but also by her own journey as an athlete. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in the United States, she competed in track and field and captained her high school swim team. She earned second place at the state level in both shot put and discus, accomplishments that contributed to her receiving the RAM Award, the highest athletic honor at her school.

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Her passion for athletics has continued throughout adulthood. As a triathlete, she has competed at USA Triathlon Nationals and continues to challenge herself through swimming, cycling, and running.

Having experienced the demands of training and competition firsthand, Dr. Cheryl understands the frustration that injury can bring and the determination required to return to the activities that matter most. Her personal athletic experience complements her clinical training and informs her appreciation for each patient's individual circumstances, challenges, and goals.

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Education, Clinical Training & Professional Development

Dr. Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Butler University, where she also worked as a trained emergency medical technician (EMT) at Indiana University Hospital. This early experience provided a foundation in the sciences and valuable exposure to patient care in a hospital setting.

She went on to graduate cum laude from New York Chiropractic College, now Northeast College of Health Sciences. During her studies, she held multiple leadership roles in student government and participated in the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) student chapter, Sports Club, and Soft Tissue Club. She was also selected for the college's Honors Program.

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Her clinical training included rotations at the Buffalo VA Hospital and service as a chiropractic student with the Buffalo Bandits professional lacrosse team. Following graduation, she continued working with the team, extending her experience in sports chiropractic beyond the academic setting and into professional athletics.

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Teaching, Mentorship & Clinical Philosophy

As an adjunct faculty member affiliated with Northeast College of Health Sciences and Life University, Dr. Cheryl is committed to mentoring the next generation of chiropractors. In her Rockville practice, she provides chiropractic interns completing their final clinical year with opportunities for hands-on clinical learning and professional development. Her approach to mentorship is shaped by her own formative experiences at the Buffalo VA Hospital and with the Buffalo Bandits. Having benefited from immersive clinical training herself, she understands the importance of translating academic knowledge into practical skills, sound clinical reasoning, and thoughtful patient care.

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This philosophy carries into her clinical practice, where she emphasizes thorough evaluation, individualized treatment strategies, functional movement, and appropriate rehabilitation. Her goal is to help patients better understand their conditions, participate in informed decisions about their care, and work toward meaningful improvements in function and activity.

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A Multidisciplinary Approach at PowHer

At PowHer Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dr. Cheryl works within a multidisciplinary clinical environment offering chiropractic care, physical therapy, soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise, acupuncture, massage, and additional wellness services. This collaborative setting provides access to a range of services that can be incorporated into an individualized care plan according to the patient's clinical needs, professional scope of practice, and functional goals. When appropriate, care may also involve coordination with or referral to other healthcare professionals.

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Whether working with a competitive athlete, a young person navigating a sports injury, a recreational runner, or an active adult determined to stay moving, Dr. Cheryl values an approach that considers the whole person rather than focusing solely on the site of pain. 

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What distinguishes Dr. Cheryl's approach is the combination of advanced sports medicine training, real-world athletic experience, an athlete's perspective, clinical education, and access to a multidisciplinary team. These elements inform her commitment to helping patients address musculoskeletal concerns, restore function, and work toward a safe return to the activities that matter to them.

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Community Involvement & Leadership

Beyond the clinic and classroom, Dr. Cheryl has served on the Board of Directors of Interfaith Works and supports nonprofit organizations including Five Talents, Warrior Cry Music Project, and DMV Caribbean Ridazz. Her commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and professional development reflects her desire to contribute to the well-being of others both within and beyond healthcare.

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The Personal Journey That Inspired Her Career

Dr. Cheryl's introduction to chiropractic began after a debilitating back injury left her unable to stand. A compassionate chiropractor opened his clinic on a weekend, evaluated her condition, diagnosed a herniated disc, and began her treatment. The experience became a turning point in her life. Originally planning to become a pediatrician, she was inspired by the care she received to pursue chiropractic instead. That experience helped shape her commitment to helping others address musculoskeletal problems, regain function, and return to the activities that bring meaning to their lives.

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Life Beyond the Clinic

Outside her practice, Dr. Cheryl is a triathlete who enjoys swimming, cycling, running, scuba diving, and outdoor adventures. Her enthusiasm for movement and challenge reflects the active lifestyle she values and the perspective she brings to her work with patients. Whether navigating complex clinical cases or participating in muddy races with friends, she embraces opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge herself.

She lives in the DMV area with her wife and their two children, Nicolas and Gia, cherishing time spent with family and embracing a life centered on movement, service, and adventure.