SaveYourself.ca Reading Guide for Professionals

A tour of SaveYourself.ca features and resources for health professionals

Don’t let the informal tone and minimal jargon fool you — SaveYourself.ca is for both patients and health professionals. My primary goal is to educate patients, but most of what patients need to know are the same things that professionals need to know. More advanced information is set aside for professional readers in footnotes, sidebars and extra sections, making documents as advanced as you want them to be, without sacrificing their user-friendly appeal.

Highlights

In-depth science journalism focussed on recent scientific research in orthopedics, sports and rehabilitation medicine.
A custom content management system for footnoting and effortless source-checking, like this,1 based on the largest annotated bibliography of pain and injury science available anywhere.2
Eight extraordinary, detailed paid-access tutorials about common pain problems. Save 30-40% on a bundle of tutorials — they are like large, virtual, self-updating textbooks. See the eBoxed set information page.
A safe place for skeptics — this website does not indulge in ideas that have long since failed to earn their place in health care. Professionals may also want to visit the SaveYourself.ca Reading Guide for Skeptics.

What it is, and what it isn’t

SaveYourself.ca is primarily about conservative therapies for muscle pain, low back and neck pain, and overuse and athletic injuries (especially from the knee down). I also focus on orthopedic assessment, and diagnostic logic and philosophy.

Despite the surprising scope of this one-man show, it’s not a medical publishing empire (yet). My own training and expertise is limited,3 and I am careful to respect my own limits, especially about drugs and surgery, and the more serious organic and development pathologies.

Musculoskeletal science geekery

Patients find it difficult to find good help for many kinds of chronic pain problems. Diagnostic wild goose chases are common. The majority of pain problems slip into a gigantic crack between hospital orthopedics and rheumatology. For everything else, we simply don’t much about know why people hurt, and keep hurting. Often we can offer our patients no better than educated guesses. And there is controversy about virtually every kind of thinking and therapy.

SaveYourself.ca tries to make sense of it all. Everything written here was written for love of the topic — I am a musculoskeletal science geek. If you are too, welcome to the niche!

Some of my favourite sources

I spend a lot of time on PubMed, and I cite from the best sources whenever possible, like The Cochrane Collaboration and The New England Journal of Medicine and PLoS Medicine.

Please accept my apologies for all the criticism

What gives? And who do I think I am? Sometimes I criticize practices that cannot be supported by science. “It seems a poor way to run a business,” commented one reader. “Do you really think it’s smart to criticize your potential customers?”

I think it’s smart to be true to my nature, attracting and earning the trust of the readers I respect — the critical thinkers. Criticism is the soul of science. We can get nowhere in health care without healthy, vigorous debate. So, please don’t take offense, or mistake criticism for a lack of respect!

Not everyone in medicine can be constantly making calculations about the value of the information. You’d go crazy. But if you are in a subspeciality field … you not only need to know what people know but how they know it. You have to regularly question everything and everyone.
James Lock, MD, Chairman, Dept of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital

Doctors too?

Yes, doctors read this website — more and more of them all the time. For example, I received this email from a UK physician.

I'm writing to congratulate and thank you for your ongoing musculoskeletal research. I originally stumbled accross your website whilst looking for information about pain for my 1st year medical students.

Over the years, many physicians have given me a thumbs up for my science-based approach to the subject matter.

What is the “eBoxed” set, and how does it save you 50%?

The eBoxed set is a bundle of all 8 eBooks for sale on this website. It’s ideal for professionals, keen patients and anyone who wants more for less. Purchased individually, the books would run you about $160, but the set is only $79.50 — a savings of $80! Visit the e-Boxed set information page.

Add the iliotibial band syndrome tutorial to your cart.

The eboxed set is a large, virtual, self-updating textbook …

New

Buyer (of Therapy) Beware — All other things being equal, always choose the cheapest and most comfortable therapeutic option for your pain problem
Does Traumeel Work? — A detailed review of Traumeel®, a homeopathic remedy (not herbal) widely used for muscular pain, joint pain, sports injuries, bruising, and post-surgical inflammation
Does Acupuncture Work for Pain? — Evidence now clearly shows that acupuncture can’t help people with common chronic pain problems, especially low back pain and neck pain
Never, Ever Trust “Common Sense”! — The fallibility of seemingly sensible ideas about physical therapy
The ESWT Saga Continues — A new study overconfidently declares victory, calling extracorporeal shock-wave therapy “safe and effective” for plantar fasciitis
Healer Syndrome — Therapists who think they are God’s gift to therapy
Review of the ShiatsuBag and ShiatsuBalls — A “bag of balls” is an interesting and useful self-massage tool
Therapy Babble — Another warning sign of therapy of dubious quality
Bogus Citations — References to “scientific evidence” are routinely misleading
Possible new treatment for muscle strains — A promising new use for an existing drug
Oh, a flow-induced system of mechanotransduction! Of course! — A century-old mystery of bone biology was solved just a little while ago
You Might Just Be Weird — The clinical significance of normal — and not so normal — anatomical variation
Three Muscle Knots That Broke The Rules — Three examples of myofascial trigger points that responded to therapeutic methods that don’t normally work
Widespread Chronic Pelvic Pain In a Runner With a Surprising Cause — Separation of the pubic symphysis (diastasis symphysis pubis), strangely painless at the site
CARTICEL® (autologous chondrocyte implantation, or ACI) — I’ve got good news and bad news …
The Bark and the Bite of Low Back Pain — When you should worry about low back pain, and when you shouldn’t
My Brain is Tingling! — A comedic diary of my experiences at The Amazing Meetin’ 7 and the Science-Based Medicine conference in Las Vegas, July 8–12, 2009

Tutorials

Save Yourself from Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain Syndrome! — Trigger points (also known as muscle knots) & myofascial pain syndrome, explained and discussed in great detail, including every imaginable self-treatment and therapy option for difficult cases
Save Yourself from IT Band Syndrome! — All your treatment options for Iliotibial Band Syndrome reviewed in great detail, with clear explanations of recent scientific research supporting every key point
Save Yourself from Low Back Pain! — Low back pain myths debunked and all your treatment options reviewed
Save Yourself from Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome! — Patellofemoral pain syndrome (aka runner’s knee) explained and discussed in great detail, including every imaginable self-treatment option and all the available scientific evidence
Save Yourself from Plantar Fasciitis! — Plantar fasciitis explained and discussed in great detail, including every possible treatment option, and all supported by recent scientific research
Save Yourself from Shin Splints! — Causes and treatment options for shin splints explained and discussed in great detail, especially shin pain caused by myofascial trigger points, compartment syndrome, medial tibial stress syndrome, and stress fracture
Save Yourself from Neck Pain! — Treatment options discussed and debunked in detail
Save Yourself from Muscle Strain! — Muscle strain (pulled muscle) and muscle pain explained and discussed in great detail, plus every imaginable treatment option

Favourites

Back Pain and Other Hazards of Sitting In Chairs (Way) Too Much — Recent personal experience proves that a lot of sitting actually is as risky as I’ve been telling my clients all these years
Save Yourself from Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain Syndrome! — Trigger points (also known as muscle knots) & myofascial pain syndrome, explained and discussed in great detail, including every imaginable self-treatment and therapy option for difficult cases
Natural Imperfection — Evolution doesn’t care if you have back pain … just as long as you can breed
Quite a Stretch — Stretching research clearly shows that a stretching habit isn’t good for warmup, injury prevention, preventing or treating muscle soreness, enhancing athletic performance … or even flexibility!
Save Yourself from Low Back Pain! — Low back pain myths debunked and all your treatment options reviewed
The Humble Therapist — Why you need to be skeptical when your massage therapist, physiotherapist or chiropractor tells you where the pain is really coming from
The Respiration Connection — How dysfunctional breathing might be a root cause of a variety of common upper body pain problems and injuries
Why Do We Get Sick? — The connections between poor health and the lives we lead
Does Chiropractic Work? — Notes from a science-minded massage therapist who gets asked about it every day
Dance of the Sarcomeres — A mental picture of muscle knot physiology explains four familiar features of muscle pain
Stretching for Trigger Points — Is muscle knot release a good reason to stretch?
Your Back Is Not “Out” and Your Leg Length is Fine — The story of the obsession with crookedness in the physical therapies
The Power of Avogadro Compels You! — James Randi and Alexa Ray Joel try to poison themselves — one of them deliberately and the other accidentally making homeopathy look 10X sillier than it already did

Tips

Mobilizing! — An alternative to stretching that “massages you with movement”
(Almost) Never Use Ice on Low Back Pain! — An important exception to conventional wisdom about icing and heating
Unconventional Ergonomics — Five creative ergonomics tips you don’t hear as much about as the usual stuff
The ‘Use It Or Lose It’ Principle — The importance of stimulation and movement in healing
The Art of Rest — The finer points of resting for injury and pain rehabilitation
Endurance Training for Injury Rehabilitation — What to do when your usual strength training workout isn’t working … or isn’t an option
Stretching for Trigger Points — Is muscle knot release a good reason to stretch?
Strength Training and Injury Rehabilitation — Everything you need to know about strength training for rehab
Microbreaking — Prevent low back pain and neck cricks with lots of little breaks
Progressive Training — How to take “baby steps” to recovery from an injury or pain problem

Controversy

SSRI Antidepressants Are Not Medicine — Frightening side effects, cover-ups on the record, and no reason to believe they do what they are supposed to
Extraordinary Claims — A guide to critical thinking, skepticism and smart reading about health care on the web
Does Massage Therapy Work? — A review of the science of massage therapy … such as it is
(Almost) Never Use Ice on Low Back Pain! — An important exception to conventional wisdom about icing and heating
Quite a Stretch — Stretching research clearly shows that a stretching habit isn’t good for warmup, injury prevention, preventing or treating muscle soreness, enhancing athletic performance … or even flexibility!
Stand Up Straight — A detailed exploration of concepts in posture and posture exercises
The Humble Therapist — Why you need to be skeptical when your massage therapist, physiotherapist or chiropractor tells you where the pain is really coming from
You Can’t Beat DOMS! — The myth of treatment for nature’s little tax on exercise, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
Does Chiropractic Work? — Notes from a science-minded massage therapist who gets asked about it every day
Do Epsom Salts Work? — There is (still) no good reason to believe that Epsom salt baths aid recovery from muscle pain, soreness or injury
Stretching for Trigger Points — Is muscle knot release a good reason to stretch?
Alternative to What? — “Alternative” health care professionals need to decide what they are really the alternative to
Does “Lose the Back Pain” Actually Help Low Back Pain? — A review of the popular low back pain treatment system
Your Back Is Not “Out” and Your Leg Length is Fine — The story of the obsession with crookedness in the physical therapies
A Review of ART® Therapy — Concepts and controversies in Dr. Leahy’s “Active Release Techniques®” (ART) method of massage therapy for chiropractors
The Unstretchables — Ten major muscles you can’t stretch, no matter how hard you try
Does Traumeel Work? — A detailed review of Traumeel®, a homeopathic remedy (not herbal) widely used for muscular pain, joint pain, sports injuries, bruising, and post-surgical inflammation
The Power of Avogadro Compels You! — James Randi and Alexa Ray Joel try to poison themselves — one of them deliberately and the other accidentally making homeopathy look 10X sillier than it already did
Does Acupuncture Work for Pain? — Evidence now clearly shows that acupuncture can’t help people with common chronic pain problems, especially low back pain and neck pain

Exercise

Mobilizing! — An alternative to stretching that “massages you with movement”
Quite a Stretch — Stretching research clearly shows that a stretching habit isn’t good for warmup, injury prevention, preventing or treating muscle soreness, enhancing athletic performance … or even flexibility!
Stand Up Straight — A detailed exploration of concepts in posture and posture exercises
The Art of Bioenergetic Breathing — A powerful tool for personal growth and transformation
The ‘Use It Or Lose It’ Principle — The importance of stimulation and movement in healing
The Art of Rest — The finer points of resting for injury and pain rehabilitation
Stretching for Trigger Points — Is muscle knot release a good reason to stretch?
Eccentric Contraction — A peculiar phenomenon in muscle physiology
7 Reasons Older Adults Don’t Stay in Exercise Classes — And 7 Reasons Why they Should

Reviews

Does “Lose the Back Pain” Actually Help Low Back Pain? — A review of the popular low back pain treatment system
A Review of ART® Therapy — Concepts and controversies in Dr. Leahy’s “Active Release Techniques®” (ART) method of massage therapy for chiropractors
Does Traumeel Work? — A detailed review of Traumeel®, a homeopathic remedy (not herbal) widely used for muscular pain, joint pain, sports injuries, bruising, and post-surgical inflammation
Does Acupuncture Work for Pain? — Evidence now clearly shows that acupuncture can’t help people with common chronic pain problems, especially low back pain and neck pain

Therapies

Buyer (of Therapy) Beware — All other things being equal, always choose the cheapest and most comfortable therapeutic option for your pain problem
Help for Anxiety — Anxiety doesn’t respond to logic and reason, so what does it respond to?
Does Massage Therapy Work? — A review of the science of massage therapy … such as it is
Personal Growth — The art of healing by growing up
The Art of Bioenergetic Breathing — A powerful tool for personal growth and transformation
Does Chiropractic Work? — Notes from a science-minded massage therapist who gets asked about it every day
“But I’ve Already Tried Massage Therapy …” — The delicate issue of trying to find skilful treatment for myofascial trigger points (muscle knots)
Does “Lose the Back Pain” Actually Help Low Back Pain? — A review of the popular low back pain treatment system
Does Acupuncture Work for Pain? — Evidence now clearly shows that acupuncture can’t help people with common chronic pain problems, especially low back pain and neck pain

Science

Well, duh! — Medical science starts to clue in that the old calories burned and lost equation just doesn’t add up
Iliotibial band syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome aren’t as simple as they seem — Once again, evidence shows that you can’t blame overuse injuries on seemingly obvious structural problems
It’s the homeostasis, stupid — Vindication for an unconventional view of knee pain, and probably a lot of other common aches and pains
Getting back surgery sooner is better than getting it later — But is either one better than a placebo? Or nothing?
Physical therapists suck at diagnosing the source of back and neck pain — (Yet more) evidence that it’s very hard to say exactly where the pain is coming from
Tantalizing Research About Acupuncture For Low Back Pain — Compelling new acupuncture evidence … with a twist ending
No MRI, Please! — New medical guidelines “strongly” discourage the use of MRI and X-ray in diagnosing low back pain in the early stages
Tight Asses Studied With MRI — Researchers in Taiwan use MRI to show what happens when your gluteus maximus is really, really tight for a long time
Thickened plantar fascia — really thick! — Science confirms connection between plantar fasciitis and a surprisingly thick tissue in the arch of the foot
FDA Biophosphonate Alert — Osteoporosis medication is a possible source of musculoskeletal pain
New Evidence That Insomnia Hurts — Two recent scientific papers give us some more reasons to get plenty of shut-eye … as if we didn’t have enough already!
Should You Get A Lube Job for Your Arthritic Knee? — Reviewing the science of injecting artificial synovial fluid
Lifting Technique Is Not Important For Your Back — A major new analysis of the scientific research supports one of the most unconventional opinions on SaveYourself.ca
EXTRA, EXTRA! New England Journal of Medicine Says Low Back Pain Surgery Works! — Er, sort of …
SSRI Anti-Depressants Looking More Like Sugar Pills Than Ever — Analysis of scientific evidence withheld by anti-depressant manufacturers shows that the drugs have little or no therapeutic effect
Neck and Back Pain Spending Fails — New research shows that there has been no benefit to increased medical spending on surgeries and drugs for low back and neck pain
Toxic Muscle Knots — New research confirms that muscle knots (myofascial trigger points) really are quagmires of toxic, irritating molecules
Sciatica Surgery Barely Worthwhile — New study shows that the natural course of sciatica recovery is virtually identical to surgical results
Is There a Difference? — “Sex” and knee pain … again
I Was (Partly) Wrong about Epsom Salts Baths! — A cool new science experiment shows that you probably can absorb Epsom salt through your skin
Toxic Heavy Metals Found in 20% of “Natural” Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies — Another reason that careless belief is actually hazardous to your health
Knee Surgery Sure is Useless! — The New England Journal of Medicine “piles on” with still more evidence that arthroscopic knee surgery for osteoarthritis is about as helpful as a Nerf hammer
Q: What Happens to Sprinting if You Stretch First? — A: All other things being equal, the athlete who didn’t stretch is going to leave you behind!
A Recipe for Chronic Neck Pain After Whiplash — Science discovers some surprising risk factors for chronic neck pain in the aftermath of whiplash
Never, Ever Trust “Common Sense”! — The fallibility of seemingly sensible ideas about physical therapy

Notes

Grundy et al. Lancet. 1984. From the abstract: “In a case-control study, in which a specially designed questionnaire and a ‘locating jig’ were used to investigate the association between difference in lower limb length and other disproportion at or around the sacroiliac joints and the existence of chronic low back pain, no association was found. Chronic back pain is thus unlikely to be part of the short-leg syndrome.”

What’s special about this footnote? You don’t have to take my word that the source is relevant — readers can easily link to the original source material, and check the relevance and quality of the reference. The presentation is attractive and useable. Under the hood, custom technology makes it a snap for me to publish richly cross-referenced, “interactive” bibliographic data — better technology and higher standards for publication than most scientific journals.Return to text.
As far as I know, the SaveYourself.ca bibliography is the single largest resource of its kind, consisting of well over a thousand primary sources, mostly from mainstream medical journals. And it’s not just a list — it’s a readable, annotated database. Quickly get the gist of a paper, my take on its significance, and anything else that’s noteworthy and interesting. Much better than just reading abstracts! Coming soon, it will also be searchable and sortable. Return to text.
Massage therapists in my part of the world are surprisingly well-trained — three years — but that is, of course, still less than physical therapists and chiropractors, who in turn study much less than any physician. See more information about my credentials, and who am I. Return to text.