John E Sarno

John Ernest Sarno Jr. (1923-2017) was a Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at NYU School of Medicine. He developed the concept of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), which he described as a psychosomatic condition responsible for various types of pain, particularly in the back, neck, and limbs. Sarno posited that these physical symptoms were a diversionary tactic employed by the unconscious mind to repress underlying emotional issues.

While Sarno claimed significant success in treating over ten thousand patients by educating them about the psychological origins of their pain, his theories and diagnostic protocols were not embraced by the broader medical community. No studies were conducted by Sarno to substantiate his reported 85% cure rate. Despite the lack of mainstream acceptance, his work gained attention, leading to a 2016 documentary featuring interviews with Sarno and other notable figures.

John E. Sarno Jr. held a position as Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and served as an attending physician at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. He completed his undergraduate studies at Kalamazoo College in 1943 and earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1950. In 1965, he was appointed director of the outpatient department at the Rusk Institute. Sarno also had a personal life, marrying Penny Patt, with whom he had three children before their divorce in 1966. He remarried Martha Lamarque, a colleague, in 1967, and they had one daughter.

Sarno is best known for originating the term Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), a concept that remains outside the acceptance of mainstream medical practice. He theorized that TMS is a psychosomatic illness that manifests as chronic pain, often affecting the back, neck, and limbs, and is unresponsive to conventional medical interventions. Sarno extended this theory to include other conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, dermatological problems, and repetitive strain injuries. His therapeutic approach involved educating patients about the psychological and emotional roots of their symptoms, suggesting that the pain served as an unconscious distraction from deeper emotional conflicts. He believed that by recognizing and addressing these underlying issues, the physical symptoms would cease to serve their purpose and dissipate.

The diagnostic framework and treatment methods proposed by John E. Sarno for Tension Myositis Syndrome have not been adopted by the mainstream medical establishment. Sarno himself did not conduct studies to validate his claimed 85% success rate in treating patients. Despite the lack of formal scientific validation and widespread medical acceptance, Sarno's ideas garnered attention. In 2016, an independent film studio produced a documentary about his work, which included interviews with Sarno, Larry David, Howard Stern, and Andrew Weil, and was featured in several film festivals.