An Overview
The HRI-PTC research centre and outpatient treatment clinic in Chicago, Illinois, USA has been operating since 1989. The HRI PTC is staffed by a team of physicians, practitioners, chemists, and other professionals who specialize in the effects of biochemistry on behavior, thought, and mood.
The Pfeiffer Treatment Center is dedicated to treating patients suffering from behavioural disorders and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder, depression, autism, ADD/ADHD, anxiety and learning disorders by assessing body chemistry and treating the patient using a complementary approach utilising vitamins and minerals.
The HRI-PTC has demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in treating these disorders by assessing each patient's body chemistry imbalances and prescribing an individualised nutritional supplement program to balance the body chemistry. To do this, the on-site HRI Pharmacy compounds nutrients, hormones, and other biochemicals to reduce the number of pills in a prescription using customized methods and equipment.
Evaluation & Treatment
During each initial outpatient visit, a physical exam, a medical and social history, and laboratory tests are used to identify specific imbalances. Pfeiffer's comprehensive evaluation determines whether the patient has an imbalance in metal metabolism, methylation, heavy metals, absorption, essential fatty acids or amino acids. An individualized treatment program is then created with the goal of restoring proper biochemical functioning. Treatment programs might include such biochemicals as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Biochemical therapy is not an alternative to traditional drug therapies; it complements other treatment methods. This therapy can be used in conjunction with prescription medications, which may be eventually reduced or phased out altogether as the biochemistry is balanced. Pfeiffer encourages patients to seek counseling and use other therapies that may work well with the treatment.
Pfeiffer Treatment Center - The History
The Health Research Institute was founded by William Walsh, Ph.D. to research biochemistry and its effects on behavior, mood, and learning. Dr. Walsh is a researcher with more than 40 years of experience, including 22 years at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois. While at Argonne, Dr. Walsh founded the Prisoner Assistance Project. His volunteer work with prisoners led him to begin studying the possible causes of lawless behavior. Ground-breaking research showed a connection between body chemistry and mental health problems, Dr. Walsh and his colleagues hypothesized that violence was another result of chemical imbalances and began to conduct their own research, which led to the formation of HRI in 1982.
The Center was named in honor of Carl Pfeiffer, M.D., Ph.D., founder of the Princeton Bio Center in Skillman, N.J., and pioneer of biochemical therapy. Dr. Pfeiffer became interested in the research conducted at HRI and, before his death in 1988, worked extensively with the HRI team to share his knowledge of correcting the chemical imbalances.
Pfeiffer in Australia
Bio-Balance’s efforts over several years have resulted in Dr William Walsh, Chief Scientist and Director of HRI-PTC, visiting Australia in 2004 and again with other members of the Pfeiffer treatment team in 2005 and 2006 to train Australian and New Zealand medical practitioners in Pfeiffer biochemical assessment and complementary treatment techniques. Public and practitioner meetings have been held in Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast to make people aware of this complementary approach. Further visits are planned.
Pfeiffer assessment and treatment techniques are now available on an ongoing basis in several Australian States and in New Zealand.
Read more about the Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center