SoulWorks

I see differences in how I carry myself. It is unbelievable. Chiropractic care always seemed too aggressive and not personalized enough for each body. After my first visit here I already felt much better, which is rare. I have been having neck and rib issues from an injury 3 years ago. My spine alinement has been off for a too long. She is helping me naturally realign my spine and I am feeling it throughout my body. After visiting her I go to yoga or rock climbing and have more balance, focus and awareness of my body. I look forward to her visits. Her work is still hard for me to explain to my friends but whatever it is, it is working better than ucsf sports medicine and standard chiropractic care.

I have seen several network spinal chiropractors over the last 13 years. I have been going to Dr. Maris Funk for the last year (since she has taken the practice from Dr. Mel). At one point in time I did see a traditional Chiro (2010) for a few months… and it was way too aggressive on my body and it didn’t help me, actually made me worst. So my overall experience with Network is extensive and very-​very positive. I have TMJ and I constantly work on how my body reacts to daily stresses in life. I see Dr Maris at least once a week. It is not a one time deal, it is and will continue to be part of my life.
i have also started taking advantage of the hydro-​massage bed that she extends to her patience. What an experience!
I adore Dr Maris, she is so warm and sweet. She is a caring, thoughtful and a beautiful person inside and out. I HIGHLY recommend Dr Maris and network chiropractor work to ANYONE!

Soulworks is adept and always sensitive to my needs and physical concerns. I completely trust Marisan.

I absolutely love my time with Dr. Maris — I crave time here in between my appointments! I can’t put into words the healing I’ve felt in this place. If you want to be in better touch with your body and address some nagging issues in your life (physical and/​or emotional), I suggest you visit Soulworks with an open mind and give this form of care a chance to change your life.

My entrainments with Dr. Maris An are pure magic. She has a heart of gold, delicate yet strong hands, a personal energy which supports a wonderful balance of both masculine and feminine. Her beautiful office creates a warm atmosphere of peace and relaxation where I feel welcome. All this contributes to a magnificent experience that I recommend to everyone!
In my experience with Network Spinal Analysis, I have seen that this method of chiropractic addresses the body as a whole, physically, emotionally, mentally, recognizing that we are our own healers. It seeks not so much to fix whatever particular ailments or conditions affect us, but to tune our nervous system so that we can reorganize our lives in ways that we never knew existed. I now know more well-​being, more stamina than ever.
I spent many years in complete fear of what the next day would bring. I was constantly in ‘fight or flight’, always in defense mode. This was a pattern learned in early childhood which I could not break no matter what, and which made for a very depressing and unrewarding life. Today, I have regained control of my emotions; I enjoy a renewed vision of my goals, and a passion to achieve them that was not possible before NSA came into my life.
Dr Maris An delivers the goods, I absolutely love her entrainments!

SoulWorks is one of the most reliable and professional chiropractic and massage therapy practices I’ve come across. I’ve literally traveled the world looking for ways to treat a problem I had diagnosed late in life, a fusion of the vertebra in my lower back. It’s given me all sorts of trouble through the years, but it’s the low-​impact «no bones popping» form of chiro that they practice here that’s finally been able to help me.
Over the past eight years, I’ve seen the business itself pass through several hands, from Dr. Peter Fisk through to Dr. Mel, who has now passed it on to Dr. Marisan, who’s a real wonder in her own right. If you’re lucky enough to be in San Francisco and looking to get a glimpse of something out of the ordinary, or if you’ve already experienced «network spinal analysis» and want to get knocked out of the ballpark, I highly recommend giving them a call and setting up an appointment.

I was just informed via email that my upcoming massage was cancelled with a groupon I bought months ago and that they will no longer honor groupons. This is pretty unacceptable and a really bad business practice.

This place has changed since my last review. I know some of the massage therapist who have worked there and they are treated unprofessionally. Basically they don’t get paid on time consistently (which is already just once a month) and the scheduling is not being managed accurately.
Before I stopped seeing Dr. Mel I myself had issues with the scheduling. I would book an appointment the front desk would just say yes we have you down and I would show up and no one was there. Front desk people need to confirm with a yes we have you for this time.

I recently took a road trip where I was the primary driver. It was hours of driving before taking a break or getting gas. During the driving time, my left leg started to feel like it was falling asleep and my hip was achy. Throughout the entire trip and for weeks after, my left leg would have a similar sensation when sitting for more than an hour. Dr. Maris (love her) worked on me and during my entrainment, I felt a movement of energy, starting at my hip, moving down my leg. Literally, within seconds, the sleepiness in my hip and leg had dissipated immensely.
Prior to this incident, the trigger points in my back had flared up. I was uncomfortable and in pain. I had difficulties turning my head from left to right. After an entrainment and a massage from Alex (who is FABULOUS, I might add), the knots in my back released and I was feeling much better.
I have also worked with Vanessa for SRI therapy. She is this sparkling being that just radiates love unconditionally. I adore her and the work she does amazing, as is everyone at Soulworks.
The work cultivated at Soulworks is profound. It’s difficult to fully articulate what the experience is truly like. I can only describe it as magic. Harry Potter… watch out!

Oh my god… I was in complete bliss for half a day after my massage with Eva! She worked magic on my neck and back — total bliss! I think they have a monthly massage deal, kinda like a massage envy structure. $ 79 per month and you get one massage that can be rolled over. Not bad especially in the marina!

Had a great adjustment by Dr Marisan. The office is very peaceful and serene. I left feeling amazing. I highly recommend her work and office. Very convenient and across from SoulCycle. I look forward to my next adjustment.

Left here yesterday pleased with my massage! I discovered this place on Groupon and decided to try it out. It was very easy to book my appointment online as well as rescheduling. A nice little spot on Union St in an apt like setting. No receptionist, and it seems like there’s only one masseuse at a time. Thank you Diana for the great massage and experience! She was very sweet, fun to talk to and patient. She seemed a little frantic only because she was trying to multitask through appointments but that was fine with me — as I understand the situation she was in. She even assured me that I would still be getting a 60 min session despite our late start and another appointment after me. I would have preferred a little less conversation during the massage process but overall satisfied and happy with the whole thing!

This review is just for the massage.
Bought the groupon deal and it was easy to book appointments online. The place is fine, and the masseuse is friendly. Her schedule seems pretty packed tightly — she had to come out and greet me before finishing her previous client, and then she had to excuse herself towards the end of my appointment.
The massage itself was fine, very typical Swedish massage.

Dr. Christopher Powell is an absolute pleasure to work with! He has an amazing bedside manner, is really knowledgeable and super friendly and professional. I felt soooo much better after just one appointment! I would give him 20 platinum stars if I could!

I got a massage from Diana this weekend and it was one of the best massages I have ever had (and I have had 100’s.) She obviously understands anatomy and got into knots in my neck and back that have not been massaged out in months (despite getting other massages.) She did amazing work in only an hour. I got the Unilocal deal and it was very worth it! I can’t wait to go back. The studio is also nice and open. Parking is tough so plan for extra time to find a space.

I had a wonderful massage here. Beautiful space!!! Hope to be back for another one soon.

I began going to SoulWorks almost 1 year ago at their Hyde St. location with the idea that «my back needed some work.» In the past, I have used traditional chiropractic and it has always been a bust: Cracking/​popping is just treating the symptom, not the problem — so the relief, although instant, has always been temporary. My preference has usually been gentle chiro with stretching and acupressure etc. Dr. Mel was my introduction to Network Spinal Analysis (NSA).
For those who are emotionally reserved/​self-​conscious, the NSA practice can be overwhelming — It is also very liberating. The tenets of NSA treat tension in the back/​spine as symptoms of broader emotional conflicts. —Who hasn’t been in a terrible meeting or under a high-​pressure deadline and literally felt their shoulders tense, their back hunch, etc? —- Dr. Mel feels where you hold your tension and asks that you correspond that with what is going on in your life and together — her with gentle stimulation and guidance, you with acknowledging and accepting what you’re actually feeling and why — work through the tension. Together you retrain your body’s reaction to stress and release the pressure valve of suppressed emotion. The end result? Your back pain is reduced/​eliminated and you learn to be aware of your body, your emotions and how they work together.
For those who are ready to embrace the Mind-​Body-​Soul philosophy, I couldn’t recommend SoulWorks any higher. Dr. Mel & Pablo are a superb team I am always confident in the additional team members that they bring in to the practice. They are always «present» and engaged, gentle and joyous and are truly invested in your care.

SoulWorks webster is a real healing center. The space is beautiful — nicely decorated, lovely light and nice energy.)
Since their opening I’ve been coming for both massage and entrainment and love it that they are offering yoga and other healing practices now. For me the massage and entrainment combo are an amazing and much needed reset. It’s awesome (and actually time efficient) that there are rockstar massage therapists and NSC chiro doctors all in one place.
Loving this location of SoulWorks on Webster/​right off Union and it’s surprisingly easy to park (neighborhood spots and metered parking turn over) and easy to take the bus. I’ve shared this gem/​center with a number of friends (and my sweetie. Clearly it’s easy to recommend. Check it out — you deserve it! We all do! ;)

This review is for Soul Works Chiropractic, not Massage:
Soul Works, put simply, is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. A friend had raved to me about this practice but said she «couldn’t quite explain it» and that I would have to experience it for myself. Please note that you should not come here expecting a traditional chiropractic experience. If you’re looking for a quick fix, this is not your place. I am disheartened when I read poor reviews on here mocking the process due to misunderstanding it’s depth. What Dr. Mel offers is pure magic: the ability to lead us into a strong connection with the fundamental element of what we are — energy.
This practice is beyond traditional chiropractic adjusting. It is about overall wellness, self work, healing, feeling, transformation, connecting to your energy, your love, your pain and your possibilities. Through a series of guided breathing and SRI techniques Dr. Mel will guide you on how to connect through to your deeper self, drop your defenses and learn to be in your body. All of this leads to a release of inner tension which greatly impacts the body and the spine.
I walked into the office of Dr. Melanie Hernand at a very challenging time in my life: post-​break up and diagnosed with clinical anxiety. Not wishing to be medicated, I began searching for alternative therapies. Wary of the process, as some people have said «it didn’t feel like much was happening,» I stuck with it to realize within a few sessions that a lot was happening. Magic was happening. I came into contact with my own body energy.
A year into this process, I rely on it greatly for support through life’s twists and turns and for anxiety relief. It has been a savior for me and led me to a deeper sense of self as well as my strength and what I have to offer. Dr. Mel has been an angel, helping me to create new healthy patterns both emotionally and physically in place of my old ones that no longer work. Up to this very moment in my life, while in a very difficult situation in a relationship, what I realize is that I’ve never been more open, more loving or less defensive at any time in my life than now. She has helped me reach the nature of my true self.
Also worth noting that they have a very relaxed appointment environment which may take some getting used to for some people (it did for me). So remember in dealing with desk service that they are there to help and have always been more than happy to make appointments very flexible for me.
If you’re ready to take on the journey of your deeper self and a strong self care, this is your place. Dr. Mel’s positive, healing energy is simply infectious. Sometimes I am uplifted simply by her hugs. Pablo always puts a smile on my face.

I started going to Soul Works chiropractic 5 or 6 years ago when it was under different ownership by Dr. Peter Fisk. I was in my mid twenties and had a back condition of an overly curved or hunched spine. I was serving tables at the time and had severe back pain and back muscle cramping. A coworker told me about their more wholistic approach of spinal network care. Basically this style of chiropractor does not crack your back. Invented by Donald Epstein, this style uses light touch along the spine to get your own breath to move into areas that your breath doesn’t get to on its own, which makes your entire spinal network get into a place of ease. You have to be a chiropractor to learn this technique, but again it is totally different than what you would expect from a chiropractor.
So I was a bit apprehensive at first and for a short while after I started going to see Dr. Peter. However, what I immediately noticed was my pain was gone after the first couple visits. But they talked me into continuing to come. It is less expensive per visit than a normal chiropractor and I could afford to come once a week. They prefer you to come more often but again I was serving tables at the time. Over the next year or two my spine started to get straighter, which the doctor that took my x rays when I was 18 said was not possible. Also my breath was starting to go from being in my low back only to being able to travel up to near the top of my spine. This allowed my entire musculature to become more relaxed.
After the first couple years Dr. Melanie Hernand took over the business and I have been going to her ever since. The most profound work was done during these past several years. The initial pain relief that I felt when I first went was just the surface of the problems buried deep within my body and tied into my psyche. My breath not only got into the top of my spine, but started moving into my chest cavity around my guarded heart. That is what I’ve been digging into and healing over the past few years. This is hard to explain in a Unilocal post but this work has changed my life. Through working with increased flexibility in my spine through my breath I’ve actually become a stronger and more present person. I’ve had intentions of growing my personality on my own, but this work has given me some physical tools to do so. After and entrainment, as the chiropractic appointments are called, there is a type of euphoria where I can see my life and its problems and blessings from a clearer and more loving perspective. As my body receives more care so does my mind and spirit.
I constantly recommend Dr. Melanie Hernand to all my friends, family, and even strangers. I don’t do this to create more business for my Doctor that has become my friend over the years. I do it because she has changed my life in profoundly beautiful ways and I want everyone to be able to share such a wonderful gift. If you have back pain, or body misalignment, or you just want to become more connected to your physical and spiritual self I highly recommend visiting Soul works. Your body and your life will thank you for it.