Dr. Simons joined Dr. Janet Travell in her intense efforts to understand and
educate other physicians regarding myofascial dysfunction, and the contribution
of myofascial trigger points to myofascial pain syndrome.
"Dr. David Simons started his medical
career as a military clinician and research scientist. Since 1965 he [practiced]
physical and rehabilitative medicine. Dr. Simons, a world leader in myofascial
medicine, [lectured and advocated] for research in this “new field” of
medicine. Drs. Travell and Simons co-authored Myofascial
Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, Vol.
1, published in 1983, and Vol. 2 in 1992. The revised edition of Vol. 1 was
published in 1999." (Cooper and Miller, 2010)
What you may not know is that Dr. David
Simons, born in 1922, was Project Officer for Animal Studies in V-2
rocket flights until 1949. He graduated from the USAF School of Aerospace
Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base. He is well known for his part in the part
in the “Manhigh project, a series of balloon flights to record altitudes to
study the effects of a near-space environment on human physiology.” Because of
this any many other aeronautical achievements, he was inducted
into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1987.
It was after retiring from the Air Force that he began his
work with Dr. Janet Travell and they published the first medical textbooks on myofascial medicine. Dr. Simons also published approximately 200
publications on myofascial trigger points and chronic pain management. He and
Dr. Travell are recognized internationally as trustworthy researchers.
To say that it was an honor to exchange email with
Dr. Simons regarding myofascial pain syndrome is
an understatement. When Dr. David Simons passed away in 2010, it was a
great loss. He did so much to help so many, including
myself. It is because of him and Dr. Travell that we can have better
pain management today by pain specialists, chiropractors, and bodyworkers who know their work.
A friend of mine, Dr. John Whiteside (Australia), studied directly under
Dr. Janet Travell. We became connected when he gave me permission to publish his protocol for treating
trigger points in our book. When I expressed my remorse for the loss of Dr. Simons, he had this to say:
"Great scientists and
teachers outlive their mortal lives.”
--Dr. John Whiteside
No truer words have ever been spoken.
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