How Do I Get Better at Movement?
When a Runner Couldn’t Hop
She was a lifelong runner. But in her late 40s, every time she tried to increase her mileage, the same stubborn low back pain would return.
She’d worked with multiple practitioners — massage, physical therapist, chiropractors — and each time the pain would temporarily ease. But as soon as her training ramped back up, it flared again.
During her first session with me we went through many different test and for one of these test I asked her to perform a simple test: single-leg hopping.
She couldn’t do it. Not smoothly, not with control — and not without discomfort.
That moment revealed something that hadn’t yet been fully addressed: her ability to transmit and absorb force through her kinetic chain. Running isn’t just forward motion — it’s a controlled series of rapid load-and-unload cycles. If your body can’t manage those forces well, tissues compensate, fatigue sets in, and — over time — pain emerges.
Of course, hopping wasn’t the only thing we worked on. Her program addressed core stability, motor control, hip strength, landing mechanics, and a progressive return-to-run plan — all grounded in principles of task-specific training and the SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand). We also supported her recovery through working on improving her sleep , increasing her protein intake as well as working on stress management, and other lifestyle factors — because pain and performance are multifactorial.
But this biomechanical insight from hopping helped us pinpoint a key missing link.
Now, after building capacity across those domains, 2 years later she’s still running stronger and with far fewer setbacks than she had experienced in years.
Why General Improvement Isn’t Enough — And Why Personalization Matters
Her case is a perfect example of why for many individuals general improvement isn’t enough if you want to return to what you love.
Most people come to me saying things like:
“I want to improve my balance.”
“I want to get stronger.”
“I want to get out of pain.”
And while those are worthy goals, general outcomes often lead to general results — which may not translate to the specific activities and quality of life improvements they truly want.
Consider the runner: she didn’t just want to “just get rid of her back pain” or “better balance” or “stronger core muscles.” She wanted to run comfortably again — a goal with specific biomechanical and neurological demands.
As we’ve discussed in the past the body adapts to exactly what you train it for. Improving “balance” for hiking trails looks very different from improving balance for playing on the floor with your grandkids. Building strength for carrying groceries is not the same as building strength for a powerful golf swing. Similarly, understanding how the nervous system adapts to load, threat, and task demands (a key concept in modern pain neuroscience) is essential for sustainable pain reduction.
That’s why personalized care matters. It’s about identifying:
Which movements are breaking down
What forces are poorly managed
What patterns need to be rebuilt
And what lifestyle factors might be contributing to the cycle
Find Your Why
Before building any plan, I always start by helping my clients clarify one thing: why do you want this?
Not just, “I want better balance,” but:
“I want to confidently chase my grandkids around the playground.”
“I want to hike in the Rockies with my spouse.”
“I want to play 18 holes without back pain.”
When your goal connects to something meaningful in your life, everything changes:
You train with greater purpose.
You stay more consistent.
You push through challenges because the outcome matters to you.
And most importantly, we can design care that targets exactly what your body and life demand.
The Bottom Line
If you want to get better at movement — whether that’s returning to a beloved activity or simply moving through life with greater ease — start by asking yourself:
What do I actually want to be able to do?
Why does that matter to me?
What are the real demands of that activity — physically and mentally?
When we combine the foundational benefits of general movement with targeted, personalized care, supported by lifestyle factors that drive recovery and resilience, that’s when real transformation happens.
You don’t just feel better — you get back to doing what you love with strength, confidence, and joy.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re ready to get back to the activities you love, I’d love to help. Click here to schedule your consultation. Let’s get you back to doing what matters most.