Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Marina De La Garza.
Dr. Marina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a San Antonio native and proud graduate of Incarnate Word High School. From there, I attended Texas State University, where I originally started on a Physical Therapy path. Along the way, I went through a few major changes (and even spent some time at Alamo Community College), before eventually earning my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Sports Science with a concentration in Health and Wellness Promotion for Clinical Populations.
It was during my time at Texas State that I was first introduced to chiropractic care. I started researching different programs, schools, and what the career really looked like. After graduation, while still living in San Marcos and figuring out my next steps, I worked at a pain management clinic. That’s where I met a chiropractor who was also working as a nurse practitioner and he’s the one who really nudged me toward pursuing chiropractic.
I ended up touring only one school, Parker University in Dallas, TX. To be honest, it wasn’t love at first sight. The school and city were great, but I wasn’t completely sure it was the right fit. Then, during a family “Parker Power Weekend” for prospective students, I applied on the spot and was accepted right then and there! In that moment, I knew it was part of God’s plan.
I started chiropractic school in January 2017 and graduated in August 2021. After becoming licensed in May 2022, I began working for The Joint Chiropractic in San Antonio until October 2024. When my dad passed away in February 2024, I was incredibly grateful for the flexibility and support I had from my manager, which allowed me to spend those final weeks with him and focus on family.
One of the last conversations I had with my dad was about my dream of opening my own business and that’s exactly what I set out to do. I filed for my PLLC in June 2024 and officially opened my in-home office in January 2025. It’s been a slow and steady journey, but I’ve loved every minute of it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
When I first started college, I was on the Physical Therapy track, but at the end of my freshman year, my advisor told me my grades weren’t competitive enough to get into the PT program and that I shouldn’t even bother trying. As an impressionable 18-year-old, I took that to heart and decided not to pursue it. I moved back home, spent a year at community college, and then eventually returned to Texas State.
Over the next few years, I changed my major a few times, from speech pathology to kinesiology, before finally landing in Exercise Sports Science. Needless to say, all the switching around turned my college experience into a five-year journey.
After graduating, I worked at a pain management clinic, and that experience really helped me figure out what I didn’t want to do prescribe medications that sometimes just act as a band-aid instead of addressing the root cause. That realization is what drew me even more toward chiropractic care.
Chiropractic school had its own challenges too. At Parker University, the program is divided into 10 trimesters, with anywhere from 24 to 32 course hours per trimester. It was a huge adjustment for me, and honestly, one I struggled with at first. I ended up dropping a few classes and retaking some, which extended my program by about six months. And then COVID hit. I was finishing my last few trimesters when everything suddenly shifted online. Once we were finally able to return to in-person clinic hours, there was a whole new set of challenges learning new ways to treat patients safely and getting comfortable being around people again.
But looking back, despite all the ups and downs, I truly believe it all happened in God’s perfect timing. Every setback, delay, and redirection led me exactly where I was meant to be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Nueva Vida Chiropractic PLLC?
I’m the chiropractor and owner of Nueva Vida Chiropractic, where I provide care out of my in-home office in Windcrest, on the northeast side of San Antonio. While having an office in my home might sound a little different, patients often tell me how warm, professional, and inviting the space feels. It’s located right off the front door, so it still has that private, clinic-like setting.
I specialize in family chiropractic care, but my heart and passion are in prenatal and pediatric care. I’m Webster Certified through the ICPA, which focuses on pregnancy-specific chiropractic techniques, and I’m currently pursuing additional Perinatal and Prenatal certifications to better serve expecting moms and growing families.
I love being able to treat the whole family from newborns and expecting mothers to parents and grandparents while creating a space where everyone feels safe, seen, and supported.
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, I offer cupping, massage gun or manual muscle therapy, therapeutic taping, and instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy (similar to the Graston technique or gua sha).
I run a cash-based practice, meaning I don’t take insurance or personal injury cases. This allows me to spend more one-on-one time with each patient and truly tailor every visit to their individual needs that day. También hablo español, which helps me serve a wider range of families in our community.
What truly sets Nueva Vida apart is the heart behind it. “Nueva Vida” means New Life, and that name reflects both my mission and my faith. I believe that healing happens when we honor how God designed our bodies to function; when we align not just the spine, but the whole person. My mission is to empower individuals and families through education, holistic care, and faith, creating a community where healing is possible, education is empowering, and wellness is within reach for all.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Honestly, my biggest cheerleaders have always been my family and close friends.
My best friend from chiropractic school was my rock during those long nights of studying, we leaned on each other when we were homesick and pushed each other to keep going when things got tough.
My parents were endlessly supportive of my path and made the trip to Dallas several times a year just to visit me. My grandmother, even though she only made the drive once for my graduation, was one of my biggest supporters from day one. My sister and my aunts were always there for me too, whether it was emotional support or simply volunteering as a “practice body” when I needed one!
My San Antonio friends have also played such an important role. This group of girls has been with me since high school, and they’ve always found a way to lift me up and cheered me on when I came home for breaks during school and now continuing to support me as I build my business.
As I mentioned before, one of my final conversations with my dad was about starting my own practice. He was such a motivating factor in taking that leap and forming my PLLC when I did.
And of course, God deserves all the credit. Without Him, none of this would have been possible. Through every high and low, He’s guided me through each step and I truly believe everything has unfolded in His perfect timing. I wouldn’t change a single part of the journey, because it’s all been part of His plan for me.
Pricing:
- All New Patient Chiropractic exam/adjustment $85
- Follow up chiro Visits (18+) $65
- Youth (0-17) chiopractic follow ups $50
- School Sports Physicals $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nvchirosa.janeapp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvchiro.sa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Nueva-Vida-Chiropractic/61565560354069/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nvchiro.sa
