In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.

While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.

Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.

Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks.

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A Spine Surgeon’s Journey: Seeing the Operating Room From Both Sides

What happens when a spine surgeon becomes a patient?

In this powerful episode of Get Back To It, Dr. David Polly shares his deeply personal journey of moving from the surgeon’s chair to the patient’s bed. After years of treating complex spine conditions, Dr. Polly experienced firsthand what it’s like to navigate pain, uncertainty, and recovery from the other side of the operating room.

Through honest reflection, he explores how this experience reshaped his understanding of healing, empathy, and patient care—and how it continues to influence the way he practices medicine today. This conversation offers valuable insight for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals alike, reminding us that recovery is not just physical, but profoundly human.

🎧 Tune in for a story of resilience, perspective, and what it truly means to Get Back To It.

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Silver Alkhafaji’s journey through chronic back pain began when she was a teenager and intensified during her PhD studies at UCSF. Misdiagnoses, escalating symptoms, and delayed imaging prolonged her suffering until an MRI finally revealed L5–S1 spondylolisthesis caused by a bilateral pars defect. After conservative care failed, Silver underwent a spinal fusion with laminectomy in December 2023. Recovery was far from linear—marked by setbacks, medication trials, physical therapy challenges, and emotional hurdles—but through perseverance, self-advocacy, and creative expression, she reclaimed her life. Today, Silver embraces healing through writing, community, and continued strength-building. Her story exemplifies the power of persistence, proper diagnosis, and listening to one’s body.

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