|
||
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
February 16, 2002
Destrehan man teaches alternative therapies By Allen Lottinger, Jr. When John Detillier reflects on the last few years of his life, the recurring theme is hardship. Most people would fall into deep depression just by hearing some of the trials the Destrehan resident has had to endure in recent years, much less to have to live through them. The hardships include the tragic loss of his wife in 98’, followed by the loss of his high paying computer job that same year. What should have been the darkest period in his life became tolerable, Detillier said, with the help of some holistic therapy techniques he had learned years earlier while finding ways to fight obesity. The Hahnville graduate claims that these therapies helped him through his times of trial and now spends his days teaching others these same techniques. Certainly the death of his spouse, Lisa, was the most trying experience for his family. His wife of 14 years collapsed in front of their three young daughters and spent eight months in a coma after being revived by the emergency crew. Detillier says that for the children to see their mother in this state before she finally passed away was traumatic. “That is one of the main reasons that I got involved in holistic medicine - to help them to deal with the loss of their mother.” In addition to his children, the Ama native also shared some of the techniques he learned with his siblings. “My brother Paul was the most open to it,” he said. “I remember him calling me about a friend who had the flu and I told him over the phone where to tap, he called back a half hour later and said ‘it’s better’.” The tapping that Detillier was trained in is similar to the ancient practice of acupuncture, only this form does not require needles. He claims that the alternative method, which was recently the focus of a Regis and Kelly morning show, can be used to help people with numerous problems. “I had this one woman who was on anti-depression pills come to see me about an alternative,” he remembered. “After using some of the tapping techniques and essential oils that lighten the spirit she said she didn’t need the pills anymore.” Though there are success stories using natural methods, Detillier does not offer his method of combining holistic techniques as a remedy for major diseases. “You still need to go to a doctor for broken bones and serious ailments,” he notes. Some of the methods put forward by Detillier are nothing new. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in the East and has evolved into a science centered around the 16 meridians of a persons body. Essential oils have been around since before the birth of Christ and, in fact, frankincense and myrrh were presented to the Christ child in Bethlehem by the three wise men. Color puncture, the use of colored light to influence a person’s body cells, is one of the newer methods that Detillier uses. Dr. Eboo Banerjee MD practices medicine in Luling: “Acupuncture is the only holistic technique I am familiar with and I believe that if done properly can have some therapeutic benefits.” The Luling pediatrician said that she is not familiar with the effects of color puncture and essential oils but added that any type of alternative medicine practitioner should be certified in their field. Detillier was certified by the California doctor who invented the tapping method and has also earned his certification in using color puncture from a training facility in Colorado. During the same year that his wife died, Detillier lost his high paying job as a computer engineer with Schwegmann’s supermarkets. It was this event that led him to explore the option of becoming a full-time practitioner of alternative therapies. “I just prayed to God and said to him ‘I want to do whatever it is you want me to do’,” remembered Detillier. It was not long after that he got involved in a wholistic wellness network, a move that linked him with clients across the Gulf South. Detillier began giving free seminars about the method he developed using tapping, color puncture, and essential oils. “I got a really good response from people because there is nobody out there doing the same thing that I am.” In addition to giving introductory seminars anywhere he is invited, Detillier charges his regular clients $75 for an hour and a half session. He has also recently begun to work with students, teaching them to use essential oils such as clarity (a mixture of peppermint and rosemary oils) when studying. He is teaching a community education course this semester in St. Charles entitled “Handling LEAP Test Anxiety.” This course, along with two others, will be offered to parish residents. Detillier says he believes that the natural methods of treating illnesses are becoming more and more mainstream. “It is like the East and West are coming together,” he said. The holistic practitioner claims he has found his calling in life and keeps a note on his bulletin board that keeps him going, it reads: “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Allen Lottinger, Jr. can be reached at AllenL@heraldguide.com or at 758-2795, ext. 217. |
|||||
|
|
|
|
