This BHAM Founder Believes That Movement is Medicine
For Dr. Paige McClees, movement is more than exercise — it’s a pathway to healing, resilience, and long-term health. Meet the Birmingham founder of PM Method and ARCHIVE by PM Method, and learn how she’s helping clients rethink what their bodies can do. Image: Tiffany Brenton
For Dr. Paige McClees, movement is medicine and the foundation for a longer, healthier life. After earning her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Boston’s MGH Institute of Health Professions, she worked with professional athletes and orthopedic patients at MGH Sports Medicine before returning to Birmingham to reimagine the intersection of rehabilitation and fitness. Today, as the founder of PM Method and ARCHIVE by PM Method, she combines evidence-based physical therapy with innovative movement practices to help clients prioritize prevention, performance, and longevity.
What made you decide to create your own path in the physical therapy world rather than follow a more traditional route?
I saw a void in the healthcare system when it came to physical therapy. I wanted to treat the whole person, not just a symptom or an insurance code. Traditional paths often force therapists into high-volume schedules where quality of care gets compromised.
Establishing a more concierge practice allowed me to design a high-touch, hybrid environment where physical therapy and fitness work hand in hand to deliver a more tailored experience for our clients. It gave me the freedom to prioritize patient outcomes and deep relationships over insurance contracts and volume.
What have you learned about the human body over the course of your career that surprises you the most?
What amazes me most is that the brain-body relationship is a two-way street. We know the nervous system controls our muscles, but our musculoskeletal system also directly reshapes our brain.
Every deliberate movement, joint alignment, or tissue loading sends an absolute flood of sensory feedback upstairs.
This physical input can calm a stressed nervous system, sharpen body awareness, and interrupt chronic pain loops, among other benefits. Movement isn’t just an output of the mind; it is a powerful input that can physically rewire it.
You’ve worked with people across many different stages of life. What have they taught you about resilience?
We often treat resilience like a passive personality trait, but my clients have shown me it is an active decision. Nobody chooses a back injury, severe arthritis, or a lengthy post-op recovery. The people who thrive are those who realize that while the situation was forced upon them, their daily effort is entirely within their control.
Resilience is choosing challenges, adapting for success, and showing up even when you’re dealt a hand you wouldn’t have chosen for yourself.
What’s a small daily ritual that helps you stay grounded?
Every morning, I take a few moments to take inventory of how I am feeling that day and what my body might be craving (movement, rest, quiet, mental stimulation). Exercise has always been my escape and hobby, but as I have matured in the wellness space, I practice more intuitive movement and rest. Some days it’s morning cardio, some days it’s strength training, others it’s walking my dogs or choosing rest over stimulation.
What’s something you’ve become better at saying “no” to?
I think it is important to choose commitments that serve you, your family and friends, or your community. However, I used to think that saying “yes” to every opportunity made me a hard worker. I’ve realized that by trying to take on every commitment myself, I was accidentally taking opportunities away from the team.
I’ve become better at saying “no” to taking on tasks alone, and saying “yes” to delegation and collaborations. It ensures that the best person for the job actually handles it. I have been fortunate to work with an incredible team of smart and talented clinicians, instructors, and managers who now make it a pleasure to keep saying “yes.”
What is a luxury you believe everyone deserves?
A vacation at least once a year.
What is always in your refrigerator?
Berries! They don’t require any cooking.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“The most sustainable solutions are rarely found in extremes; they live in the balance between discipline and flexibility.”
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite weekend getaway from Birmingham? My family’s house on Lake Wedowee (a hidden gem in AL, just an hour-and-a-half drive from BHAM).
Best recent splurge? I bought my husband Usher x Chris Brown tickets for their upcoming concert this fall. Our 16-year-old selves are very excited! I never regret a nostalgia concert.
What’s bringing you joy right now? My sister and her family have recently moved back to Birmingham, so I am enjoying seeing her every day and watching our kids grow up together.
Who’s on your workout playlist? Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Calvin Harris, and lots of early 2000s remixes.
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Rai Mincey
Rai Mincey is a lifestyle journalist and recipe developer drawn to destinations that feel lush, nostalgic, and deeply human. Through her blog, The Savoring, she explores intimate dining experiences, Southern-rooted cuisine, solo travel, and the small rituals that make everyday life feel richer and more beautiful.