People
Fact-checked

At PublicPeople, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

Who is Milton Trager, MD?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Milton Trager, M.D., born in 1908, is the man credited with discovering and developing the Trager Approach, a natural-healing method. Born with a congenital spinal deformity, it is said that he overcame a childhood marked with sickness to become athletic and healthy once more. He so overcame his illnesses that he became a gymnast and a dancer, even training to be a boxer in his late teen years.

Milton Trager may have become aware of potential for a real and useful technique as a late teen, when he moved to Miami Beach with his family and began training as a boxer under Mickey Martin. After each training session, Martin would give Trager a rubdown. One day, Trager offered to provide Martin with a rubdown of his own, as the trainer was looking particularly tired and worn. It is said that the rubdown he delivered was more than just an ordinary massage, delivering both relief and invigoration.

Trager techniques may benefit some people who suffer from neck and back pain.
Trager techniques may benefit some people who suffer from neck and back pain.

Pleased with the results his hands had delivered to his trainer, Milton Trager went home and performed his rubdown on his father. Though his father had been suffering from chronic and painful sciatica that was not relieved through ordinary measures, Trager said he was able to free his father from sciatica in just two sessions.

Success with treating his father was not the end of this approach for Milton Trager. He went on to explore his method, trying it on people with a full range of diseases and conditions. For example, he used his approach to help people with asthma, polio, multiple sclerosis, and more. He also lent his hands to helping individuals struggling with back pain. It is said that some of the people he helped experienced a measure of relief, but others enjoyed complete freedom from whatever had been ailing them.

Milton Trager used the Trager Approach to help people with asthma.
Milton Trager used the Trager Approach to help people with asthma.

Milton Trager experienced such success with his approach that he may have helped a man abandon his wheelchair. His friend had spent four years paralyzed and unable to walk. According to Trager, his approached helped his friend to push the wheelchair aside and walk once more. Despite his success, Trager was not opposed to traditional medicine, and in 1955, he received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico.

Milton Trager's techniques have been useful in treating people suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Milton Trager's techniques have been useful in treating people suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Milton Trager continued to work with clients after receiving his medical degree, but he wanted to teach others to perform his approach. Eventually, he helped a woman named Betty Fuller to get relief from her neck pain, and she went on to learn his approach, co-founding The Trager Institute with Dr. Trager in 1980. Today, holistic-minded individuals and medical professionals often incorporate the Trager Approach into their treatment programs.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PublicPeople writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PublicPeople writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Trager techniques may benefit some people who suffer from neck and back pain.
      By: Yanik Chauvin
      Trager techniques may benefit some people who suffer from neck and back pain.
    • Milton Trager used the Trager Approach to help people with asthma.
      By: Gorilla
      Milton Trager used the Trager Approach to help people with asthma.
    • Milton Trager's techniques have been useful in treating people suffering from multiple sclerosis.
      By: joshya
      Milton Trager's techniques have been useful in treating people suffering from multiple sclerosis.