John E. Sarno

John Ernest Sarno Jr. (June 23, 1923 – June 22, 2017) was Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University School of Medicine and an attending physician at the Howard A. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at New York University Medical Center. He graduated from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1943, and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1950. In 1965, he was appointed the director of the outpatient department at the Rusk Institute.

Sarno originated the term tension myositis syndrome (TMS) to name a claimed psychosomatic condition producing pain—particularly back pain. The syndrome's diagnosis and treatment protocol are not accepted by the mainstream medical community. He conducted no studies to verify his claim of an 85% cure rate.

In 2016, a documentary was released by the independent film studio Rumur. The film includes interviews with Sarno as well as with Larry David, Howard Stern, Andrew Weil, and others. The film was selected for several notable film festivals.