The Fascinating Dr. Janet Travell
November 13th, 2019 by Stephanie Farrer
Let’s get back to our series on Trigger Points this week, shall we?
The study of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), also known as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), was pioneered by two highly successful and well-known physicians—Dr. Janet G. Travell and Dr. David Simons. These two physicians were both brilliant in their own right, but when they formally partnered and wrote Volumes 1 & 2 of The Trigger Point Manual they paved the way for many massage therapists, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals interested in the cause and treatment of muscular pain. Before 1983, when the first volume was published, there was no manual for treating muscular pain. Trigger points may appear in any part of the body and symptoms include: focal point tenderness, reproduction of pain with palpation, hardening of muscle upon palpation, pseudo-weakness of afflicted muscle, referred pain, and limited range of motion in affected muscles.
Dr. Janet Travell is famous for being the first female physician to the President of the United States, serving first President John F. Kennedy and then President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1960 to 1965. President Kennedy named her his personal presidential physician because of her interest and experience with skeletal muscular pain. She pioneered new anesthetic techniques, dry needling, and spray and stretch techniques that are still used today. She was best known for her effectiveness in treating painful muscle spasms in the back. President Kennedy dealt with severe back pain sustained in injuries during World War II, and he relied heavily on Dr Travell’s techniques to cope and perform his duties. If you have ever seen photos of President Kennedy in his rocking chair—that was due to Dr Travell. She suggested he use the rocking chair to help with his back pain.
I first heard of Dr Travell while reading books on President Kennedy’s life and unfortunate death. I admired her years ago as the first female presidential physician. I was stunned many years later in massage therapy school to be covering her other work!
After leaving her position as presidential physician, Dr Travell spent the rest of her career researching myfascial pain syndrome. She (along with Dr Simons, who we will discuss next time) ‘wrote the book’ on how to treat it. These books form the basis of neuromuscular, or trigger point, therapy that many massage therapists still use today. It was her life’s work.
I just wanted to celebrate Dr Travell this week. Next week, we will look at the life and career of the other member of this outstanding team—Dr David G. Simons. (Hint: He was also an astronaut!)
If you are in pain—I would like to help!
—Stephanie
EDITED 05/16/22: I have changed the photograph I uploaded to accompany this article after being contacted by Dr. Travell’s granddaughter. I apologize if I have created confusion with my prior photo. This image of Dr. Travell is the one currently used on Wikipedia, but I will happily change the photograph to any provided by her family should they choose to provide me one.
The Fascinating Dr. Janet Travell
November 13th, 2019 by Stephanie Farrer
Let’s get back to our series on Trigger Points this week, shall we?
The study of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), also known as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), was pioneered by two highly successful and well-known physicians—Dr. Janet G. Travell and Dr. David Simons. These two physicians were both brilliant in their own right, but when they formally partnered and wrote Volumes 1 & 2 of The Trigger Point Manual they paved the way for many massage therapists, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals interested in the cause and treatment of muscular pain. Before 1983, when the first volume was published, there was no manual for treating muscular pain. Trigger points may appear in any part of the body and symptoms include: focal point tenderness, reproduction of pain with palpation, hardening of muscle upon palpation, pseudo-weakness of afflicted muscle, referred pain, and limited range of motion in affected muscles.
Dr. Janet Travell is famous for being the first female physician to the President of the United States, serving first President John F. Kennedy and then President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1960 to 1965. President Kennedy named her his personal presidential physician because of her interest and experience with skeletal muscular pain. She pioneered new anesthetic techniques, dry needling, and spray and stretch techniques that are still used today. She was best known for her effectiveness in treating painful muscle spasms in the back. President Kennedy dealt with severe back pain sustained in injuries during World War II, and he relied heavily on Dr Travell’s techniques to cope and perform his duties. If you have ever seen photos of President Kennedy in his rocking chair—that was due to Dr Travell. She suggested he use the rocking chair to help with his back pain.
I first heard of Dr Travell while reading books on President Kennedy’s life and unfortunate death. I admired her years ago as the first female presidential physician. I was stunned many years later in massage therapy school to be covering her other work!
After leaving her position as presidential physician, Dr Travell spent the rest of her career researching myfascial pain syndrome. She (along with Dr Simons, who we will discuss next time) ‘wrote the book’ on how to treat it. These books form the basis of neuromuscular, or trigger point, therapy that many massage therapists still use today. It was her life’s work.
I just wanted to celebrate Dr Travell this week. Next week, we will look at the life and career of the other member of this outstanding team—Dr David G. Simons. (Hint: He was also an astronaut!)
If you are in pain—I would like to help!
—Stephanie
EDITED 05/16/22: I have changed the photograph I uploaded to accompany this article after being contacted by Dr. Travell’s granddaughter. I apologize if I have created confusion with my prior photo. This image of Dr. Travell is the one currently used on Wikipedia, but I will happily change the photograph to any provided by her family should they choose to provide me one.
