Here you'll discover how my quest to improve
my own health led to the seminar "Brain Therapy for
Children
and
Adults."
My journey began with damaging conditions as a child.
And today my discoveries can improve the pediatric and adult
health care systems in the area of chronic illness. That's my
mission.
At the age of 30 I made it the primary goal in my life to
become physically healthy. While examining every possible avenue
that could result in physical well-being, my search led me
to:
- a healthy diet
- principles for healthy living, and
- the integration of the therapies that form "Brain
Therapy for Children and Adults."
A Healthy Diet
All twelve of my closest relatives had died or were suffering
from cardiovascular disease. I concluded that poor food choices
were clearly a major factor, and positive dietary changes would
play a vital role in determining the ultimate success of my
personal quest for physical well-being.
So in my search for good health I dramatically altered
my dietary regimen.
Over a three-year period in the 1970s I eliminated the following
items from my diet in a step-by-step manner: sugar and artificial
sweeteners, processed foods, salt, meat, dairy, and all animal
products.
The Outcome: More Energy and the Disappearance of my
Sinus Infections
Healthy Living Practices
I began practicing healthy living principles by eliminating
all medications, cutting out alcohol consumption, and drinking
spring water. I stretched my body for exercise, rested my body
for healing, and continued to follow the guidelines established
in Chapter 5 of Healing Your Child.
Craniosacral Therapy
When I stopped taking all medications in 1976, I could not
avoid my headache problem any longer and had to search for
a solution. Solving the incessant pain became a top priority
in my life.
And that's how I came to craniosacral therapy -- a non-invasive
painless therapy that gently loosens and realigns the skull
and sacral bones.
Observing this technique for the first time, I saw the caregiver
simply hold the patient's head without doing anything. I felt
very certain that cranial manipulation could not possibly help
me.
Yet, as a chronic headache sufferer, I was willing to try
anything to get relief. And, reluctantly, I submitted
myself to therapy . . .
The Outcome: Headache Pain Eliminated
After evaluating the results of almost 2000 of my patients,
I am convinced that a healthy craniosacral mechanism is a
key element in attaining physical well-being.
Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy
In 1980 I consulted a doctor for back strain who diagnosed
my curvature of the spine as scoliosis. When I asked what corrective
therapy was available, he replied,
"At thirty-four years of age, this is an incurable
condition. You just have to live with it."
Having found therapy for my headache and sinus problems, I knew
there must be an answer for scoliosis. If my spine was
curved, I hypothesized, maybe tight muscles were pulling
it out of alignment.
No doctor had ever checked my muscles, so in 1980 I consulted
a Pfrimmer deep muscle therapist. He did find that chronic
muscle tightness (rigidity) was pulling my body structures
out of alignment. He began manipulative therapy to loosen or
release the muscles and initiate correction of my scoliosis.
Myofascial Release Therapy
In 1984 I was introduced to myofascial release therapy, which
involves working with the body's fascia. The fascia (not facial
or of the face) is a layer of tissue analogous to plastic
wrap that fuses with the muscle tissue.
Fascia forms a weblike structure that attaches to every structure
in the body. It can become distorted and rigid from trauma
and inflammation, causing tension and pain.
I underwent treatment, and later used the concepts to treat
my own patients.
The Result: Almost All Of My Scoliosis Corrected
The combination of muscle and fascial therapies gradually
corrected almost all my scoliosis, and my spine and body
structures are now normal.
These principles and therapies changed my physical health
and professional career dramatically . . .
While experiencing my own healing and observing patients,
including many children, responding positively in my clinical
practice, I concluded that:
- diet and healthy living,
- craniosacral therapy,
- muscle therapy,
- TMJ-dental therapy, and
- fascial therapy
were important factors in attaining physical well-being.
If you view health as a jig-saw puzzle, these are key pieces
of the total picture.
These principles may provide the
missing link in solving certain chronic conditions such as
asthma; earaches (otitis media); headaches; hyperactivity;
learning disorders; eye, sinus, and allergy conditions; scoliosis;
and others in children and adults.
You'll find stories that reveal the power of diet and healthy living
along with the integration of craniosacral, TMJ-dental, and fascial
therapies in Brendan's Story, Students'
Professional Experiences, and Students'
Case Histories.
Studied Craniosacral Therapy
With Osteopathic and Chiropractic Training
1978-1980
Since then, he has taught nationwide. In the past 20-plus
years Dr. Gillespie has treated about 2,000 individuals.
Practiced at the Pfrimmer Deep Muscle
Therapy Center in King of Prussia, PA
1984-1998
Practiced with Victoria Ross, an internationally renowned
teacher in the Pfrimmer Deep Muscle field
Practiced at the Myofascial Release
Treatment Center in Paoli, PA
1989-1998
Practiced with John Barnes, P.T., international lecturer,
author, and world's leading authority on myofascial release
Founding board member of the American Academy of Head,
Neck, and Facial Pain
1985-present
Education
P.D.M.T.
1999 -- Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapist
Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy, Ltd.
M.T.
1999 - Massage Therapist
Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy, Ltd.
M.S.D
1975 -- Fairleigh Dickinson University
Department of Periodontics
School of Dentistry
D.M.D.
1973 -- Fairleigh Dickinson University
School of Dentistry
B.A.
1969 - Villanova University
The goal is to improve the pediatric and, ultimately,
the adult health care systems through education.
The Brain Therapy approach can easily be integrated into
the pediatric model to significantly improve the quality
of life for children.
By getting to the root of the problem,
this model offers the best medical choice at the best value.
It is hard to argue against quality and cost.
The populated Northeast, with the three top-ranked children's hospitals
in Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore are the initial key educational
areas.
As the Brain Therapy concepts are accepted and integrated in
these areas, trained seminar teachers can eventually spread
the word for a healthier and happier planet.
