At Mindful Movement PT, we help you understand your pain, build strength and get back to the things you enjoy. Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT, provides one-on-one back pain care, neck pain care and bone-health physical therapy at our Holladay clinic, serving Greater Salt Lake City. We use McKenzie assessment, pain education and progressive exercise, with hands-on care or dry needling when helpful. No referral is needed; virtual coaching is available from anywhere.
Want to talk through your case before booking?
Mindful Movement PT offers a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask whether your symptoms, goals, or MRI/DEXA findings are a good fit for care.
Request a Free 15-Minute Consultation or call/text (385) 332-4939
Quick Answer
You can book physical therapy in Utah without a physician referral. At our Holladay clinic, your first PT appointment is a dedicated, one-on-one 60-minute assessment with Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT. We listen to what is getting in the way of your day, examine how you move and respond, and build a plan around the activities you want back. You can begin with a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and explore whether care is a good fit.
Why Choose a Specialist Physical Therapist in Utah?
When pain keeps interrupting work, sleep or the activities you love, you deserve time to be heard and a clear explanation of what comes next. We bring a particular focus to back and neck pain, bone health and the everyday movement problems that make life harder. Your plan starts with your story and your assessment, and changes as we learn what helps.
Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT, is certified in the McKenzie Method and BoneFit trained. We combine that assessment approach with pain education, progressive exercise, dry needling or manual therapy when they fit your needs. The goal is to help you feel better and understand how to keep moving with confidence between visits.
What Makes Mindful Movement Different
- One-on-one care — Every session is with Dr. Emily. No assistants, no shared appointments, no generic protocols.
- A 60-minute first PT appointment — Time to discuss your history, assess movement, practice together and agree on the next steps.
- McKenzie Method certification — Dr. Emily uses a structured assessment of your symptoms and movement response to help select and adjust treatment.
- Dry needling when appropriate — An option for muscle-related pain, used alongside movement and exercise when it supports your goals.
- No referral needed — Utah direct access law allows you to schedule directly without a physician referral.
- A clear plan between visits — Understand what to practice, what response to watch for and when to ask us for help.
Conditions We Treat
Mindful Movement PT treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, with particular expertise in spine and pelvic floor disorders.
Spine Conditions
- Back Pain — Acute and chronic low back pain, including disc-related, facet joint, and muscular pain
- Herniated Disc — Assessment and nonsurgical care for back or leg symptoms, with medical coordination when needed
- Bulging Disc — Help understanding how an imaging finding relates to your symptoms and movement
- Sciatica — Leg pain from nerve compression or irritation
- Spinal Stenosis — Canal narrowing causing walking pain and leg symptoms
- Neck Pain — Mechanical neck pain, tech neck, whiplash, disc problems
- Headaches — Cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches with cervical involvement
- Scoliosis — Pain management and functional improvement
- Degenerative Disc Disease — Age-related changes that don’t have to mean pain
- Spondylolisthesis — Vertebral slippage managed through stabilization
- Pinched Nerve — Cervical and lumbar radiculopathy
- Mid-Back Pain — Thoracic spine dysfunction and rib-related pain
Pelvic Floor & Women’s Health
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction — Incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse
- Pregnancy & Postpartum — Prenatal pain, diastasis recti, postpartum recovery
- Women’s Health — Peri-menopause, postpartum, bone health
Sports & Orthopedic Conditions
- Sports Injuries — Running, skiing, hiking, CrossFit, climbing injuries
- Shoulder Pain — Rotator cuff, labral tears, frozen shoulder, instability
- Hip Pain — Labral tears, FAI, bursitis, IT band syndrome
- Knee Pain & ACL Rehab — ACL recovery, patellofemoral pain, osteoarthritis
- Plantar Fasciitis — Foot and heel pain
- TMJ & Jaw Pain — Cervical-TMJ connection
Other Specialties
- Post-Surgical Rehab — Structured recovery after spine, shoulder, knee, and hip surgery
- Concussion Rehabilitation — Post-concussion headaches and vestibular symptoms
- Osteoporosis & Bone Health — Safe exercise programming for bone density
- Chronic Pain & Fibromyalgia — Pain science-informed treatment
- Work Injuries — Ergonomic assessment and rehabilitation
Meet Dr. Emily: an introduction to online care and coaching
Get to know Dr. Emily through her introduction to hybrid care and coaching. This is an overview of an appointment format, not a demonstration of treatment for a particular condition.
Our Treatment Methods
The McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy)
The McKenzie Method looks at how symptoms and movement change during a structured assessment. When a particular direction helps, we use that response to guide exercise and teach you how to monitor it. If the response does not support that approach, we adapt the plan. A randomized trial of people with low back pain and an identified directional preference found better results when exercises matched that preference than when they did not. That supports choosing exercise carefully; it does not mean every person needs the same movement.
Dry Needling
Dry needling uses fine needles in selected muscles. We may discuss it when muscle pain or guarding is getting in the way of movement, including some shoulder pain presentations. We explain the expected benefits, risks and alternatives before you decide. Any symptom relief is paired with a plan for movement and activity, so your care keeps working toward the things you want to do.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques restore normal joint movement, reduce muscle guarding, and decrease pain. Dr. Emily uses manual therapy as a complement to the McKenzie Method — particularly for joints that need mobilization beyond what exercise alone can achieve.
Patient Education & Self-Management
The ultimate goal is to make you independent. Dr. Emily teaches you to understand your condition, manage flare-ups on your own, and prevent recurrence. This is the foundation of the McKenzie Method — empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to take control of their recovery.
Direct Access Physical Therapy in Utah
Utah law allows you to see a physical therapist without a physician referral — this is called direct access. You don’t need your doctor’s permission to schedule an evaluation. This means faster access to treatment, fewer unnecessary imaging studies, and lower overall healthcare costs.
At Mindful Movement, Dr. Emily will evaluate your condition and determine whether physical therapy is appropriate. If your condition requires medical evaluation (imaging, medication, or surgical consultation), she will refer you to the appropriate provider. This direct access model puts you in control of your healthcare and eliminates unnecessary delays.
Cash-Based Physical Therapy: Why It Works
Mindful Movement is a cash-based practice. This means:
- Dedicated time with your PT — Your first PT assessment is 60 minutes, one-on-one with Dr. Emily. We discuss follow-up needs as part of your plan.
- Visits with a purpose — We review what is improving, what still needs attention and how to progress your home plan.
- Care built around your goals — We explain the plan and discuss appointment details before you commit.
- A plan you understand — We choose care with you based on the assessment, your response and what matters to you.
- Superbills provided — We provide documentation you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Serving Patients Across Utah
Mindful Movement PT serves patients from across the Wasatch Front and beyond:
Our Holladay clinic, serving Greater Salt Lake City
- Holladay, UT — Our clinic is at 4890 Highland Dr, Holladay, UT 84117. Serving Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Millcreek, and Sugarhouse.
- Salt Lake City, UT — Patients from downtown SLC, the Avenues, Sugar House and surrounding neighborhoods visit our Holladay clinic.
Virtual coaching from anywhere
Our virtual coaching appointments include video calls directly with a PT, an exercise program with video demonstrations to use between visits, and access to messaging between visits. Coaching supports movement education, wellness and accountability from anywhere. If you need diagnosis or treatment for an injury, we will help you clarify the appropriate clinical service and availability before booking.
What Patients Say
“Emily was able to diagnose the movements that were causing my back pain and create a plan to bring down the pain and get back to full mobility.”
— Back pain patient, Salt Lake City
“She quickly identified my back and leg issues within just a few appointments, leading to immediate improvements in my condition.”
— Sciatica patient
“Working through lower back pain for 15 years. Dr. Emily’s approach has given me hope that I can move without pain and do the things I love.”
— Chronic pain patient
“I was exhausted by chronic back and neck pain, doctors who only pushed medication, and other PTs who conditioned me to fear re-injury.”
— Long-term pain patient
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist in Utah?
No referral is needed to book with us in Utah. If your assessment points to something that needs medical attention, we will explain the next step and help you coordinate care.
How do I arrange a physical therapy appointment?
Contact Mindful Movement PT to discuss your goals and the right appointment type, or call/text (385) 332-4939.
How quickly will I see results?
We look for useful changes from the start: a movement that feels easier, symptoms that settle more reliably or a daily task you can do with greater confidence. Lasting progress can take longer than that first change. Dr. Emily will discuss what improvement should look like for your situation, when to review it and what we will change if you are not moving forward.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. Bring any imaging reports (MRI, X-ray) if you have them — but they’re not required. Dr. Emily’s clinical assessment often provides more useful information than imaging alone.
Does Mindful Movement accept insurance?
Mindful Movement is a cash-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. We provide superbills that you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Your insurer determines eligibility, deductible requirements and payment; we cannot promise a reimbursement amount. We are happy to explain our process before you book.
Are virtual appointments available?
Yes. We offer virtual coaching from anywhere. We’ll help you choose between coaching and eligible clinical PT before booking.
What is the McKenzie Method?
The McKenzie Method, or Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, is a structured way to assess movement and symptoms and choose a management plan. It includes education and self-management, rather than a single exercise routine. You can read how an assessment works in our McKenzie guide.
What is dry needling?
Dry needling involves using fine needles in selected muscles as part of a physical therapy plan. We assess whether it is a suitable option, explain the risks and alternatives, and connect it with the movement or activity you want to improve.
Dr. Emily Warren, DPT · credentialed McKenzie therapist (MDT) · BoneFit trained · Holladay clinic, serving Greater Salt Lake City · (385) 332-4939
Ready to take the next step? Tell us what you want to get back to. Your free 15-minute consultation is a chance to ask questions and explore care; it is separate from the first 60-minute PT assessment. No referral is needed.