meet the team

Chiropractor Colorado Springs CO P. Michael Leahy

Director & Consulting Chiropractor

P. Michael Leahy D.C., C.C.S.P.

P. Michael Leahy is the founder of Champion Health Associates and originator of Active Release Techniques®.

He is an honor graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served as a fighter and test-pilot. Dr. Leahy graduated summa-cum laude and valedictorian of Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in 1984 and became a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) in 1986.

He has been a competitor in over 25 Ironman triathlons and enjoys a multitude of interests. For the past 30+ years, Dr. Leahy proudly served Colorado Springs area patients and their families.

In 1985, Dr. Leahy began developing Active Release Techniques® in order to meet the needs of his patients more effectively. ART is so successful that he now teaches the technique to physicians of many disciplines, throughout the world. He has assisted aspiring, professional, and world-class athletes in a wide range of modes, including professional golfers, hockey, football, and Olympic sports.

In addition to serving athletes, Dr. Leahy discovered and published the Law of Repetitive Motion and the Cumulative Injury Cycle, which has helped redefine prevention and treatment of work-related injuries. He created Champion Health to serve people in need by working with their supporting medical team to achieve normal function and improved health. Now he spends his time running Active Release Techniques®, working on the Denver Broncos, and serves as a consulting Chiropractor here at Champion Health.

Please note that P. Michael Leahy, D.C. is no longer accepting appointments but serves as Champion Health’s Director and Consulting Chiropractor.

Chiropractor Colorado Springs CO Gary Wood

Chiropractor

Gary Wood D.C., C.C.S.P.

Dr. Gary R. Wood is the “soul” of Champion Health. Dr. Wood is a graduate of Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and has been practicing chiropractic for over 20 years. He is a family man with a passion for the outdoors and community. Since joining Champion Health, in 1997, Dr. Wood pursues many different outlets for his talents.

He is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) as well as an instructor and practitioner of Active Release Techniques®. In the past, Dr. Wood has provided sports medicine and chiropractic for Pikes Peak International Raceway, and continues as a provider of injury treatment and performance care at PRCA Rodeos.

Dr. Wood works with people suffering from sports-related injuries as well as those recovering from accidents and automobile crashes. In fact, Dr. Wood is certified as a Low Speed Rear End Crash Re-constructionist and is an active participant in automobile crash analysis and research to help advocate for individuals injured in such incidents.

A favorite of patients and staff, alike, Dr. Wood’s philosophy on chiropractic is: “Life is function, improve function and improve life.”

Education & Certifications

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  • Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP)
  • Active Release Techniques® Instructor and Elite Practitioner
  • Low-Speed Rear-End Crash Reconstructionist (Scientific analysis of factors of traffic incidents. Professional qualifications include police academy training, police force work, and professional training in accident reconstruction)
  • Certified Veterinarian Chiropractic Practitioner (CVCP) to treat horses and dogs
Chiropractor Colorado Springs CO Alesha Willis

Chiropractor

Alesha Willis D.C.

Alesha Willis received her Doctor of Chiropractic and Master of Sports Chiropractic degrees from Life University. During her clinical internship, she provided Sports Chiropractic care in the Life University Sport Science Institute, where she worked with high-performance athletes, including members of USA Rugby and elite members of US Masters Swimming, triathletes, cyclists, runners, and golfers.

She was part of the Life University Sports Chiropractic team providing care at many local athletic events, including swim meets, cyclocross, 10K road races, and volleyball tournaments. Before receiving her chiropractic and master’s degrees, Dr. Willis teamed with a Sports Chiropractor working as a licensed massage therapist for 10 years.

Dr. Willis integrates the Diversified Chiropractic Technique with soft tissue therapy and functional rehabilitation in providing comprehensive care for improving performance and speeding recovery. She is Full Body Active Release Technique (ART) certified and an ART lead instructor. Dr. Willis is also SFMA Level 1 Certified. She is proficient in many soft tissue techniques, including Muscle Energy Techniques (MET), Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), and the Anatomy Trains approach to structural integration.

Dr. Willis enjoys tennis, road and mountain cycling, rock climbing, yoga, skiing, and hiking.

Education & Certifications

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  • Master of Sports Chiropractic
  • ART Full Body Certified
  • SFMA Level 1 Certified (Selective Functional Movement Assessment)
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
Chiropractor Colorado Springs CO Matthew Spaur

Chiropractor

Matthew Spaur D.C.

Matthew Spaur is originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University. After working as an Exercise Physiologist in several physical therapy, sports rehabilitation, and fitness clinics, Dr. Spaur relocated to Georgia, where he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University.

Dr. Spaur played various sports throughout his childhood, including baseball, basketball, football, and motocross. A visit to a chiropractor for a high school football injury sparked Dr. Spaur’s lifelong passion for sports medicine and biomechanics. Dr. Spaur saw first-hand the significance of chiropractic to sports performance and overall well-being. He firmly believes that adjustments prevent injury, improve performance, and advance recovery outcomes.

Dr. Spaur enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter hiking, fishing, mountain biking, motocross, and just about everything outdoors.

Education & Certifications

  • Doctor of Chiropractic
  • Colorado Board of Chiropractic Examiners
  • ART Elite Provider
  • Full Body Certified ART Level One and Level 2
  • Functional Medicine
  • Advanced Courses in Extremity Adjusting, Rehabilitation, and Soft Tissue Therapy
  • Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology
Chiropractor Colorado Springs CO Andrew Cuiffo Meet The Team

Chiropractor

Andrew Cuiffo D.C.

Doctor Cuiffo grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where he was heavily involved in the high school marching band and riding his skateboard in his spare time. While attending the University of Nebraska - Lincoln to earn his bachelor's degree he fell in love with strength and conditioning after a rugby teammate introduced him to the weight room.

During a rugby match against a rival school, Dr. Cuiffo suffered an ACL tear and during the post-surgical rehabilitation process he experienced a profound realization - the body will heal itself given the right conditions! With a newfound purpose, he quickly changed his major from engineering to nutrition, exercise, and health sciences with a minor in psychology. A new passion for movement and helping people would guide him to the chiropractic profession. This is where his love for strength training was born.

Unfortunately, while training for a powerlifting meet, he literally broke his back during a deadlift in training. The pain was debilitating to the point he could not put on his shoes. Forced to withdraw from competitions for over a year, he began the arduous rehab process. Through hard work and some help from colleagues, he was back to lifting heavy and pain-free in a few months.

At Life University he excelled in the anatomy and clinical skills classes, being appointed as a student instructor for these courses. He was also honored with being elected to lead the Sports Chiropractic Club at Life University where he had the privilege of sharing his advanced knowledge of movement and soft tissue treatments with other students. He completed his internship and residency at the prestigious Sports Chiropractic Institute in Smyrna, Georgia. He currently enjoys training at a local CrossFit gym 5-6 days per week.

Before joining this team of champions, Dr. Cuiffo owned a private practice in Denver. He has been added to the exclusive list of ART Elite Providers. Dr. Cuiffo also teaches other providers ART as an ART seminar instructor.

  • Doctor of Chiropractic from Life University in Marietta, Georgia
  • Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Sciences; Psychology minor from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Active Release Techniques - Level 2 Full Body with Elite Provider Distinction
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist - National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • USA Weightlifting - Level 1 Coach
  • Certified Personal Trainer - National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic - Colorado
  • Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic - Nebraska
  • Board Certified in Physio-Therapeutics - Colorado
  • Active Release Techniques - Elite Provider Certification
  • Chiropractic BioPhysics Certified Provider
  • Graston Technique - Module 1
  • Selective Functional Movement Assessment Certified - Level 1
  • Functional Movement Screen Certified
  • RockTape - Fascial Movement Taping 1&2
  • RockTape - Performance Movement Taping
Chiropractic Colorado Springs CO Kris Gieske

Director of Strength Rehabilitation & Performance Training

Kris Gieske

Kris Gieske was an active duty soldier for the U.S. Army for four years and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. After retiring from the Army in 2011, he decided to help our nation’s wounded warriors through adaptive physical training. Kris completed a bachelors degree in Strength and Conditioning with a minor in Nutrition. While pursuing his degree, Kris spent his time volunteering as a trainer to assist wounded, ill, and injured soldiers.

Kris sees a wide range of patients between everyday work-from-home back pain to professional athletes. Kris’ goal is to recondition patients so they live free of chronic pain.

Kris is married with two children and still finds time for strength training and competition USA Power-lifting.

Education & Certifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition
  • Z-Health Trainer Certified (Integrated functional neurology and performance enhancement to manage pain and enhance athletic abilities)
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS*D)
  • Pain Free Performance Specialist Certification (PPSC)
  • Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR Level 2)
Chiropractic Colorado Springs CO Mariana Aleksandrova

Licensed Massage Therapist

Mariana Aleksandrova L.M.T.

Mariana Aleksandrova was born in Bulgaria and moved to USA in 2012. She is a graduate of The Massage Academy training center in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Later she attended the Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown, Delaware, USA where she earned a degree for Physical Therapist Assistant.

She just moved to Colorado from Delaware where she was practicing as a Licensed Massage Therapist in Avenue Apothecary and SPA for 5 years and as a PTA in Pivot Physical Therapy for a year. Mariana’s primary goal is pain relief with a desire to attain proper body function and alignment.

She likes participating in International Massage Competitions and she won a silver medal in Sports Category in Peru in the International Latino Massage Competition and a bronze medal in Serbia in the European Massage Competition.

Education & Certifications

  • Sports Massage
  • Pregnancy Massage
  • Myofascial Release
  • Headache Massage
  • Reflexology
  • Anti-Cellulite Massage
  • Hot Stone Massage
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body Treatments
  • Theragun Massage
  • Full body Certified in Active Release Technique (ART)

OFFICE HOURS


Monday
9:00am - 6:00pm


Tuesday
9:00am - 4:00pm


Wednesday
9:00am - 6:00pm


Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm


Friday
9:00am - 4:00pm


Saturday & Sunday
Closed

Champion Health Associates

9240 Explorer Dr # 215
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

P: (719) 473-7000
F: (719) 473-7479
info@champion-health.com