Are You Unscientific?

Despite my best efforts, it's been over 6 months since my last newsletter, but for 2026 I'm going to try and stick to at least one a month... hopefully.

So for this newsletter, I want to talk about being scientific AND biased!

I was recently accused of being “the antithesis of scientific” and a "poor critical thinker" because I’ve very publicly declared my biases and strong position on this wild, controversial idea:

"People with musculoskeletal issues should probably do some strength training."

Yes. I know. Scandalous. Alert the media and call the authorities!

But it did make me laugh, because it highlights one of the biggest misunderstandings in science:

Bias isn't bad!

Everyone has bias, even those who go around accusing others of it the most!

Bias isn’t a character flaw. It’s not a moral failing. And it’s definitely not any proof that you’re “unscientific”.

Bias is a natural and normal human trait. It's what happens when you have a brain that sees things, learns things, and forms patterns.

You’re biased toward:

• the approaches you were trained in

• the mentors you admire

• the patients you remember

• the courses you paid for

• the methods that make you feel competent

• the outcomes that make you look good

That’s human cognition in its natural habitat.

Pretending you don’t have bias is unscientific!

Because when you claim you’re completely “neutral” and “objective” and that you “always follow the data”, what you often mean is:

“My biases are invisible to me, so I’ve decided they don’t exist.”

Science isn’t “no bias.”

Science is bias management.

Good science is a structured attempt to limit our biases from running away too far or too much, not removing them. We can do this by...

• Acknowledging our bias

• Declaring our conflicts

• Pre-register our thoughts and ideas

• Blinding and controlling as much as possible

• Allowing scrutiny, challenge, and criticism

• Debating, discussing, arguing (politely, sometimes)

• Updating when the evidence says we should

So when I say I’m biased, I’m not admitting a flaw, or that I'm unscientific or a bad critical thinker.

I’m doing what far more people should do more often: being open, honest, transparent, imperfect, and human!

Here’s my “bias” again in plain English:

I’m biased toward any interventions that:

• are useful

• are scalable

• help people become more capable

• reduce fear and fragility

• build confidence and options

• don’t require weekly mystical rituals to “realign” your pelvis or chakras

Strength training fits that bill ridiculously well for a lot of MSK problems.

Not because it’s magic.

Not because it “fixes posture.”

Not because it “stabilises your pelvis” or “switches on dormant glutes” like you’re a faulty Wi-Fi router.

But because getting stronger and more tolerant to load tends to make daily tasks, work demands, sports, and life in general easier!

And because it's also a good analgesic and modulator of a lot of painful issues, via various uncertain and multifactorial mechanisms.

“But Adam, that's just your opinion?”

Yes, it is, and it’s an evidence-informed opinion, and it's constantly updated.

I can be strongly in favour of strength training and still say:

• not everyone needs the same exercises or programs

• loads and intensity need to be tailored to the individual 

• pain is multifactorial

• context matters

• sometimes the best start is “less than you think”

• sometimes it’s not the priority today

Having a strong opinion on something doesn’t mean you’ve stopped thinking.

It means you’ve started taking responsibility for what you recommend.

The real red flag isn’t bias.

The real red flags in healthcare are academic arrogance disguised as pompous purity.

The loudest “OMG you so are biased” crowd are often:

• insecure in their own positions

• deflecting from their own bias 

• trying to sell you something whilst pretending they’re above selling

So yes, I’m biased.

I’m biased toward people being less fragile.

I’m biased toward people being able to pick up their kids

I'm biased toward carrying shopping, climbing stairs, training for sport, and living without feeling like your body is made of wet cardboard.

If that makes me “unscientific,” then some people have a really poor understanding of science.

As always... thanks for reading.

And remember... You can't go wrong getting strong!

Adam