Always Think Muscles (ATM) is the basic guiding theory behind functional training at Upright Health. This is because modern life deactivates a lot of our musculature and simply re-engaging them can do wonders.

It is not to be taken 100% literally. There are a very rare outliers and medical conditions that can certainly cause issues, but after ruling out issues like tumors, broken bones, etc. it is important to stay focused on your muscles.

This differs from the modern medical approach to chronic pain which offers rest, ice, medication, or surgery. While these options can be helpful for acute or short term injuries, they do little to nothing for long term chronic issues.

The medical approach also tends to focus on irreparable diagnoses such as bone shapes, inflamed tissues, genetics, etc. that are ultimately disempowering and always leads you down the same path of pills, injections, or surgery before trying significantly less expensive and non-invasive methods like regular exercise.

If you start with ALWAYS THINK MUSCLES, you'll take a more straight forward exercise-based approach that can help you move and feel right.

Check out these posts on our blog for more behind this approach: