"Much of the chronic and recurrent pain and discomfort that we all experience is psychologically induced. This is the premise of Dr. John Sarno, who coined the term "tension myositis syndrome," or TMS, to better describe and treat this pain. He gave it this name because, in the early days of his work, it was his impression that muscle (myo) was the only tissue involved. Having realized in recent years that nerves, tendons and other body systems could be targeted by the brain in the disorder that he has described, we have decided that another term would be a more accurate designation for the entire process. After much thought and discussion, he and I have agreed that the term, The Mindbody Syndrome, would be a better choice and would be used henceforth in place of tension myositis syndrome. This has the virtue of retaining the acronym TMS, which has become familiar to many that have read Dr. Sarno's work.

...Using today's popular lingo, TMS is a mindbody disorder--the symptoms arise from the mind and are experienced by the body. Thus, The Mindbody Syndrome is an appropriate title."