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Information about Janet G. Travell, MD Janet G. Travell, MD was a pioneering physician and researcher who is best known for her work on the diagnosis and treatment of trigger points. A trigger point is a specific area of muscle tissue that is prone to spasm and pain. When pressure is applied to a trigger point, it can cause pain to radiate to other parts of the body. Dr. Travell first became interested in trigger points while working as a White House physician during the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Kennedy suffered from chronic back pain, and Dr. Travell began to investigate the cause of his pain and the most effective methods for treating it. She discovered that many of Kennedy's pain complaints could be traced back to trigger points in his muscles, and she developed a series of treatment protocols that involved the application of pressure to these points. Dr. Travell's work on trigger points led to the development of a new field of medicine called "myofascial pain syndrome," which is characterized by the presence of trigger points and the development of pain in response to their activation. She wrote extensively on the topic, including several books on the diagnosis and treatment of trigger points. One of the key concepts developed by Dr. Travell was the idea of "referred pain." This refers to the phenomenon in which pain originating from a trigger point in one part of the body is felt in another part of the body. For example, a trigger point in the shoulder might cause pain to be felt in the elbow. This concept was significant because it helped to explain why pain can be difficult to diagnose and treat, as it may not be immediately obvious where the source of the pain is located. Dr. Travell's work on trigger points has had a lasting impact on the field of medicine. Today, trigger point therapy is commonly used to treat a variety of pain conditions, including headaches, back pain, and fibromyalgia. Dr. Travell's concepts of referred pain and the importance of addressing trigger points in the treatment of pain have helped to shape our understanding of how the body experiences and responds to pain, and have influenced the way in which pain is managed and treated. Dr. Travell passed away in 1997 at the age of 95. |