New Veteran-Owned Pursue Movement to Address Injury Prevention and Rehab

Peterborough’s new veteran-owned business, Pursue Movement Strength & Mobility Development, bridges the gap between injury rehabilitation and strength training.

Amherst natives Ryan and Alicia Griffiths said they hope the business will serve a range of community health needs.

“Our goal is to prevent injuries where we can and rehab those we can’t,” Ryan said. “We want to catch an issue before it’s too far gone.”

Among the business’s services are physical therapy, massage using the Graston Technique, dry needling, and strength and conditioning. The Graston Technique involves using tools for a deep tissue massage; dry needling is a form of acupuncture.

“We also give our clients access to their HIPAA folder, so they can review their medical records and imaging like X-Rays,” Ryan said.

While the couple opened their first physical location at 6 School St. in early March, they started a mobile version in January 2025.

Ryan, who holds a doctorate in physical therapy from Shenandoah University, first provided one-on-one service in clients’ homes. He said the method met mixed reviews.

“Some people enjoyed not having to leave their homes for PT, but others didn’t like it,” he said.

“They thought it was awkward,” Alicia added.

Since then, Pursue Movement has built a steady clientele and expanded its platform to the local school system.

One program Ryan presented to South Meadow School focused on different types of stretching and highlighted the importance of warming up and cooling down.

As a physical therapist, Ryan provides clients with proactive and preventative knowledge so they can care for themselves after completing therapy by augmenting rehabilitation with strength training.

“I want them to understand how their body works and how the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments all work together to move it,” he said.

Alicia handles marketing and brand management. “I help figure out where he should look when finding clients,” she said. “I was the one who convinced him to do the seminar at SMS.”

Before opening Pursue Movement, Ryan and Alicia met as kids in Amherst.

“We grew up in Amherst, and then after high school, Ryan immediately left for the Army,” Alicia said. “I went with him and studied graphic design in Savannah, Ga.”

After deploying as an Army paratrooper to Iraq and Colombia, Ryan used his education benefits toward a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation sciences from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Georgia, before graduating from Shenandoah University’s physical therapy program.

“I’ve always been interested in physical therapy,” he said. “When I was 14 or 15 years old, I remember helping my grandmother slowly regain her ability to walk.”

After completing his degree, Ryan and Alicia moved back to New Hampshire.

Before working at Monadnock Community Hospital, Ryan split his time as a physical therapist between Crotched Mountain and SMS.

“I’ve had a lot of exceptional mentors over the years,” he said. “What I like about this job is that you see people who are injured or in declining health and have an opportunity to be proactive and do something about it.”

As the business develops, Ryan and Alicia plan to host quality of life seminars teaching people how to avoid physical rehabilitation.

“We want to do seminars breaking down the body as a system,” Ryan said. “They would cover things like anatomy and the importance of bone density and nutrition.” The seminars would teach the community fundamentals of self-care.

Alicia said she is also planning a joint seminar with Tria Yoga in Peterborough, mixing yoga and strength training.

The Griffiths hope the business develops into a full wellness center.

“One day we want to start an actual wellness center that provides services in sports psychology, strength and conditioning, nutrition and physical rehabilitation,” Ryan said. “I’ve already got my eye on a location.”