Dr. Janet Travell and her research partner Dr. David Simons devoted their careers to trying to understand the science of muscle knots, and sharing their knowledge with other health care professionals. Her most important publication was the “big red books,” the massive two-volume textbook, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual (last edition published 1999). Dr. Travell served as President John F. Kennedy’s physician starting in 1961. She was the first female doctor to hold this position. Dr. Travell died in 1997. Although admirable and impressive, of course Dr. Travell probably was not perfect, and she may have become too impressed with her own ideas as her career progressed — an excellent example is described in Travell, Simons and Cargo Cult Science.

~ Paul Ingraham, PainSci Publisher

Related Content

These seven articles on PainScience.com mention Dr. Janet Travell as a source:

1. The Complete Guide to Chronic Tension Headaches
2. The Complete Guide to Neck Pain & Cricks
3. Basic Self-Massage Tips for Myofascial Trigger Points
4. A Cranky Review of Dr. John Sarno’s Books & Ideas
5. Review of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook
6. Your Back Is Not Out of Alignment
7. Complete Guide to Frozen Shoulder

Authored by (or directly relevant to) Dr. Janet Travell:

• Travell J, Simons D, Simons L. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. 2nd ed. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 1999.

Cited by these PainSci article(s):

• Massage Therapy for Tension Headaches
• Massage Therapy for Neck Pain, Chest Pain, Arm Pain, and Upper Back Pain
• Massage Therapy for Tennis Elbow and Wrist Pain
• Massage Therapy for Bruxism, Jaw Clenching, and TMJ Syndrome
• The Complete Guide to Trigger Points & Myofascial Pain
• The Complete Guide to Low Back Pain
• The Complete Guide to Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
• Tennis Elbow Guide
• The Complete Guide to Neck Pain & Cricks
• The Respiration Connection
• A Cranky Review of Dr. John Sarno’s Books & Ideas
• Review of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook
• Micro Muscles and the Dance of the Sarcomeres
• Trigger Point Doubts
• Trigger Points on Trial
• “Plantaris hypertonia” as a cause of runner’s knee: a good example of a bad idea
• Dr. Travell “dry needled” with a harpoon