So... What Does An Appointment With Me Actually Look Like?
- Marnie Hansen
- Jun 30
- 9 min read
Or... "Help! Which appointment am I supposed to book?"
Blog post written by Dr. Marnie Hansen, DC for Salt Lake Spine & Pelvis
I get this question daily, and realized I needed to write a blog post about it! Because, well... I do a lot of different things, and if you are new to my services, it can be a bit confusing to sort through everything I do!
To be frank, I tried niching many years ago, but that didn't work, as I love being able to share the breadth and depth of knowledge I've gained across many conditions over my 20-year healthcare career. I've seen everything from headaches to plantar fasciitis, and what I've learned is that each problem, when given proper attention and an experienced professional touch, is not only fun for me to watch improve, but exciting to take through the process of healing... and see how the body does its work naturally!
So, on the daily... Someone lands on my website, sees Chiropractic, then Soft Tissue Therapy, and then sees all the other services I provide like Pelvic Floor Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Spinal Rehab... so it's only natural for one to ask:
"OK, Dr. Marnie, you do a lot of things... WHICH service do I choose, exactly?"
The easy answer is that you don't have to figure it all out. That is my job! And I do keep this easy (I promise). So let's dive in....
No matter your concern, every new patient starts their visit with a thorough history and examination where we talk about what's been going on, get to the heart of what's actually driving the problem, and decide as a team what type of treatment will help you the most.
I am there to guide and instruct on specific therapies known to help certain conditions (and I'm highly trained in what NOT to do, as med school drilled this into us), and I work with each patient individually on what works best and where we might need to pivot in our approach.
One of my favorite parts of practicing this way is that I'm not locked into one technique, which sets my work apart from others for its individualized approach. I get to mix and match the rehab tools and techniques that make the most sense for you and your condition.
I like to think of it as building a custom (and intentional) playlist, instead of listening to the same music every time. We stick to what works and take out what doesn't. Add on as needed, and as life changes necessitate.
I get the privilege of mixing and matching the tools that make the most sense for you. As no two patients look or present exactly alike, no two treatments do either.
My Philosophy
This is a hard one to distill, as my work is a blend of Chiropractic and other sports, injury, and rehab therapies across the board of the rehab world. I've taken classes from Physical Therapists, Nurses, Practitioners, MDs, Osteopaths, and Chiropractors. So, yes, I'm a chiropractor, but my work is a hybrid of many disciplines.
And I embrace both Eastern and Western methods of healing. I will refer my patients to Acupuncturists, Midwives, MDs, and Hypnotherapists alike (and more, not limited to these professions), depending on the case. I keep a strong network of professionals to refer to when needed.
But my core philosophy is the same, no matter which technique we use to approach your care. I believe that health truly comes from the inside out, and top down (brain or spirit, whichever you resonate with most, I'm respectful and open to all belief systems), which is actually a traditional Chiropractic approach. I truly believe that our bodies are meant to be self-healing with the right set of tools and proper environment.
And with the right help.
If you've spent any time with me, you've probably heard me say this already:
I don't believe in throwing the kitchen sink at every patient.
In this world, our bodies already have enough on their plate, and sometimes just need a relaxing break.
Instead, I like to start with a few evidence-informed techniques best suited to your condition, and then pay attention to how your body responds to these known therapies.
For example, some people absolutely love my trigger point therapy work. Others swear by cupping. Some melt into the flexion-distraction table and never want to leave (seriously, people will ask to take it home with them), while others discover that gentle joint mobilization (without jerky thrusts), Activator, or craniosacral therapy works better than the traditional manual adjusting (which I do as well).
In my two decades of being an Integrative Chiropractor, I've learned that there literally is no such thing as one perfect treatment.
There is the treatment that's perfect for you, and that's where the perfection lies. And the perfection also lies in the teamwork of care. I take the time to listen to you and what you need.
Once I progress my patients through individualized care, and we get to visit four or five, I see they begin to recognize the cadence of the sessions. One of my favorite questions around visit four or five (and this is when I know the teamwork is really building) is:
"What is your body asking for?"
And I see the spark in their eyes as they recognize what is working and why! They are more aware of the issue and its cause. They have developed a deeper connection with their bodies, and their body awareness is growing.
I love this part :)
As a practitioner, it's amazing to watch patients become experts on their own bodies. Secretly, that's my goal for every patient. Not dependence on me, but their own inner knowing, instinct, and knowledge that I work to empower them with on each visit.
Education, knowledge, and teamwork build this confidence visit by visit, until one day, they realize the reins are in their own hands (and have been all along; sometimes we just need to know what to do with them!).
So... Back To My Appointments, Here's How They Work:
Best for:
Quick tune-ups or alignments
Busy professionals
Maintenance and Wellness care
Mobility session
Lunch break visits
"I just need someone to get that one spot..."
These visits are designed to be efficient and focused. Typically, if you are an established patient and know exactly what needs to be addressed, we choose this option. I'll check your posture and quick ranges of motion, perform any necessary chiropractic adjustments or gentle mobilizations, answer a few questions, and get you back to your day.
Some people come every few weeks just to keep everything moving well. Others, every few months. These visits are simple and easy for busy professionals or parents on the go who need a quick yet thorough check. Simple and easy.
This is probably my most popular appointment, as I find addressing the soft tissues often makes the adjustment much easier. And vice versa... the adjustment will improve tissue mobility and flexibility in most cases.
For those who need a little soft-tissue release before an adjustment, we can spend time on the therapy of their choice. For others, the soft-tissue work after the adjustment helps the adjustment settle into the body more comfortably by massaging it out.
Depending on what you need, your visit might include:
Soft tissue therapy
Pin-and-stretch techniques
Muscle energy techniques (MET)
Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy (IASTM/Graston-style treatment)
Cupping
Trigger point therapy
Flexion-distraction decompression
Gentle chiropractic adjustments
Rehab exercises to keep your progress going at home
These visits are fantastic for:
Neck pain
Low back pain
Disc injuries
Sciatica
Tendon irritation
Sports injuries
Old whiplash injuries
Shoulder pain
Perinatal care
Fertility care
Hip pain
Runners
Weight lifters
Weekend warriors
Desk jockeys who forgot humans weren't designed to sit for ten hours.
(No judgment... I see you, and do it too!)
The One-Hour Sessions
This is where we really get to dive in, and my patients in need of deeper work really like these visits. An hour gives us time to slow down, combine therapies, teach exercises, and tailor everything specifically to your goals. These visits are some of my favorites because there's room to be creative and they give us plenty of time to get a lot done.
Think of this as the deluxe version of the 30-minute session; it's a more intensive and in-depth treatment. A typical visit might include:
Flexion-distraction decompression
Extensive trigger point work (great for scoliosis, disc issues, or kyphotic mid backs)
Pin-and-stretch techniques
Cupping or IASTM when appropriate
Joint mobilization
Chiropractic adjustments
Mobility work and stretch sesh time
Strength progressions
Home exercise coaching
Sometimes we spend almost half the visit on rehabilitation, and most of the time we focus on hands-on treatment. On other occasions, we do a little of both. It depends entirely on what your body needs that day.
I've used these visits to help everyone from athletes getting back to lifting... to an 80-year-old competitive ice skater working on posture, balance, and staying independent... to executives trying to stay pain-free enough to dominate on the pickleball court. Care is truly individualized to the patient's goals and activity levels.
These appointments are typically one hour long and again individualized to suit the needs of the condition. Typically, we spend the first half of the visit working externally.
This might include:
Chiropractic care
Pelvic and low back treatment
Soft tissue therapy
Flexion-distraction table
Breathing instruction
Mobility work
Core and pelvic floor rehabilitation
Active or passive stretching
Then, if appropriate and with the patient's consent (and after a thorough pelvic exam performed first and foremost), we spend the second half performing internal pelvic floor therapy. No fancy machines, stirrups, or cold speculum involved.
Just skilled, hands-on treatment combined with education so you can continue making progress at home. My goal isn't just to help you feel better today. It's to give you the tools to help yourself long after you leave my office.
Some patients come specifically for craniosacral therapy. Others combine it with chiropractic and soft tissue work.
A visit might look like:
Bodywork first
Chiropractic if appropriate
Soft tissue treatment
Then a relaxing craniosacral session to calm the nervous system
Many patients dealing with chronic headaches, migraines, post-concussion symptoms, stress, PTSD, or nervous system overload appreciate this combination.
Sometimes the body needs movement. Sometimes it needs stillness. Sometimes it needs both.
Every Visit Is Customized
One of my favorite things about practicing this way is that no appointment ever feels cookie-cutter-like. Your treatment evolves as you improve. What helped during week one may not be what your body needs during week six... Maybe we discover that the disc pain responds best to decompression, or maybe cupping surprises both of us and becomes your favorite treatment.
And then, maybe strengthening and rehab... not adjusting... is the missing piece your body is asking for!
The fun part is that we figure it out together.
Not Sure What to Book?
If you are a new patient, we will keep this simple! Just book the New Patient Appointment for any concerns except pelvic floor issues... for that, simply book Pelvic Floor Therapy New Patient (it takes a little more time, so I've accounted for that).
From there, we will go over a thorough workup of your concerns, talk about your goals, and build a treatment plan together. At that time, we will decide what to specifically book and talk about the pros and cons of each visit type so you can best get all your feel-good needs met!
The most popular visits are the 30 minute visits, where we can get some thorough yet targeted soft tissue therapy done alongside any necessary adjusting. Second most sought after are the 1 hour visits, where I see you less frequently but dive deep into more intensive musculoskeletal care.
Again, no two bodies are the same, each visit is tailored to what works best for you :) Here is a quick chart that my patient's love to help with their decision making:
Follow-Up Visits
15 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 60 Minutes | |
Best For | Quick tune-up | Most common visit | Complex cases or deeper work |
Time | 15 min | 30 min | 60 min |
Adjustment | ✅ | ✅ Usually | ✅ If appropriate |
Soft Tissue Therapy | Minimal | Moderate | Extensive |
Exercise Instruction | Quick tips | Some | Lots of coaching |
Flexion-Distraction | Sometimes | Often | Almost always if indicated |
Trigger Point Therapy | Limited | Moderate | Extensive |
Cupping / IASTM | Rare | Yes | Yes |
Pelvic Floor Therapy | — | — | Yes (when scheduled) |
Craniosacral Therapy | — | — | Yes (when scheduled) |
Customized? | Yes | Absolutely | Completely tailored |
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're dealing with back pain, a disc injury, pregnancy-related discomfort, pelvic floor concerns, headaches, sports injuries, or you're simply ready for your next tune-up, we'll figure out the best plan together.
Book a New Patient Visit, and let's get you moving better, feeling stronger, and back to doing the things you love!
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