Dr. Derek Libby

Meet Dr. Derek Libby, DC

Dr. Derek Libby’s journey into chiropractic began long before he ever considered it as a career. Born in Seattle, Washington, he grew up surrounded by chiropractic care and developed an early appreciation for its role in health and wellness. At age 12, his family moved to Rancho Peñasquitos, where he attended Black Mountain Middle School and Mt. Carmel High School. During those years, he played football and baseball, ran track, and enjoyed surfing and snowboarding. Without consistent chiropractic care, he began experiencing persistent low back discomfort from sports injuries.

At age 18, a car accident brought him back to chiropractic care. After his mom encouraged him to see a chiropractor for his injuries, he noticed his pain begin to resolve after just a month of care. This experience sparked his curiosity about how chiropractic worked and how it could support not only recovery from injuries, but overall health and wellness. As he continued learning, Dr. Libby developed a passion for caring for children, expecting mothers, and entire families. He recognized the value of early, gentle care and its potential to support healthier families from the very beginning.

Dr. Libby graduated from Parker University in Dallas, Texas, in 2014, where he trained in advanced chiropractic technology and a variety of time tested techniques. During his education, he was selected to serve with Parker’s sister school, UNEVE, in Mexico City. There, he provided care to more than 400 men, women, and children in underserved communities, working with patients experiencing a variety of health concerns, including scoliosis and disc injuries, as well as supporting expecting mothers.

After returning to San Diego, Dr. Libby completed a yearlong mentorship with Dr. Given, a respected Palmer College graduate who had served Poway families for 37 years. Combining his advanced training with the wisdom and experience of a seasoned local chiropractor, Dr. Libby developed his own approach to neurologically focused, family centered chiropractic care.

In 2015, Dr. Libby opened Activate Chiropractic in Poway with a mission to help individuals and families reach their full health potential. Today, he continues to serve patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, with personalized care focused on the spine and nervous system. His goal is to help each patient function at their highest potential and create healthier, happier families throughout the community.

License # DC 33269