Live Again

Author: Dr. Alek Rybar

At Move Better, the product we offer isn’t a pill, a quick fix, or a one-size-fits-all solution. We connect patients with awareness, and one that changes how our patients view movement and how they interact with the world around them.

In my own journey, it took countless trials and errors to understand the root of my low back pain and, more importantly, how to overcome it. I believe we give our patients something invaluable: a path forward, and the realization that pain doesn’t have to be a permanent part of their story.

Pain is multidimensional. It can come from countless sources, and there are just as many potential solutions. Unfortunately, pain often leads people to stop doing the things they love- running, lifting, playing sports, spending time outdoors. As clinicians, it’s our responsibility to act in the best interest of our patients. And rarely is the best course of action to simply say: “Stop doing what hurts.”

Movement Is Connection

Growing up, I built lasting friendships through sports and time spent outdoors. Some of my favorite memories and deepest relationships were formed through those experiences, and they still mean the world to me. To this day, I cherish every round of golf with my dad, every ski day with my parents and three siblings, and every chance to simply be active together.

I can’t imagine life without those moments. Saying I would “miss it” doesn’t even come close to describing the loss I would feel. That’s why I plan to keep making those memories for as long as I can. And I now understand that the choices I make today in prioritizing health, preventing pain, and building functional strength are essential to that goal. I know many of you have similar stories. Take a moment to reflect:

• What are the activities that bring you joy?
• Who are the people you share them with?
• And who would you be without those experiences?

Our memories, our relationships, our passions, our experiences. They shape us. Are you willing to give them up?

What Makes Move Better Different

The truth behind what we do at Move Better is this: the work can be challenging, both physically and mentally. We ask our patients to be introspective, to show up consistently, and to commit to long-term change. That’s what sets us apart. We don’t just treat the symptoms. We dig deeper, identifying the root cause of the problem and addressing it physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

My mom often reminds me of something my Nona used to say: “Nothing worthwhile is easily attained.”

I try to remind myself of this every day, and find that it can be applied to all aspects of life. Specifically when it comes to what we do, this saying couldn’t be more true when it comes to healing. In a world obsessed with instant gratification, it’s easy to chase quick fixes. But more often than not, those solutions are temporary. You’re left searching for maintenance, or the next patchwork solution.

When I was dealing with my own low back pain, I realized there wasn’t going to be a magic cure. I had to change the way I trained in the gym, how I swung a golf club, how I picked things up, how I stood at the sink doing dishes. Everything. I was using the same painful pattern a hundred times a day and had no idea until my internship at Move Better opened my eyes.

For me, the best metaphor is this:

Imagine bending a paperclip back and forth repeatedly. Eventually, it weakens and breaks. My back was the paperclip. But maybe the solution wasn’t to stop using it altogether- maybe it was to stop bending it the same way over and over.

The first step is awareness. But as the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s where we come in. We help you look in the proverbial mirror, connect the dots, and discover how to keep doing what you love- without bending the paperclip.