My Story

Meet Dr. Gabriel Guzman Mercado, an island native with a generous heart. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised by a single mother, he is no stranger to challenges. Well-loved in the small community where he grew up, Dr. Gabriel's success story lives on in the voices of those who witnessed his growth on his street. His good intentions and willingness to lend a helping hand will continue to be part of his legacy.

From a young age, Dr. Gabriel was passionate about sports, with baseball always being his number one. He pursued his sports career as a pitcher, competitive swimmer, and volleyball player until multiple injuries towards the end of high school and the beginning of college cut his athletic pursuits short. It was during his rehabilitation that he was referred to a chiropractor, and he fell in love with the practice. Experiencing firsthand the relief and improved quality of life that holistic and natural treatments could provide, he realized chiropractic care was his calling. As he completed his undergraduate studies in biomedical sciences at the University of Puerto Rico, he knew that chiropractic was the right path for him. He wanted to merge his love for sports with his innate desire to help others and give back what he had received during his own time of pain.

Dr. Gabriel is a dedicated chiropractor who is passionate about patient-centered care. His philosophy centers on the well-being of his patients, taking the time to explain and guide them every step of the way. He completed his doctorate at Northeast College of Health Sciences (formerly NYCC), where he was trained in ConnectTx, Dry Needling, Nimmo Technique, and other methods to tailor treatments to each patient's needs.

His experiences have cultivated his natural charisma for patient interaction and treatment. He developed his skills through clinical rotations at Depew Health Center and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Buffalo, NY. He also dedicated his free time as a student to providing free chiropractic care at marathon events (Buffalo Marathon 2024, Women’s 5k to Run @ Seneca Falls) and interned with Dr. Cheryl Lee Pow, where he honed his skills at her clinic and participated in various sporting events (the D.C. Divas, AAU Taekwondo Region 2 Championship, XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon, and Duathlon). These experiences have shaped Dr. Gabriel into the empathetic and humble professional he is today. He believes that chiropractic care should be accessible to everyone, from athletes to the elderly and anyone in need.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Gabriel enjoys cooking for his partner, friends, and family. As a recent transplant to Maryland, he also enjoys exploring the area, going on hikes, and indulging in sweet treats. Maintaining a well-balanced lifestyle helps inspire him to give his all to his patients. He wholeheartedly believes that humans can achieve anything, especially healing, when they put their hearts into it.

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