An eight-week-old presented with difficulty sucking, inability to have a deep latch, an open mouth, fast breathing, congestion from birth, arching, stiffness, and gas. The baby’s pediatrician told mom that her baby was healthy. Really? Pediatricians need to wake up to the concept of birth trauma and fascial strain.
In our Lancaster infant research, we thought quick deliveries would be healthier. Wrong. In this story mom pushed three times and the baby was out in ten minutes. This baby had a zero-second brain cycle and was tight everywhere.
Let’s look at each issue:
- Difficulty sucking: She had bilateral TMJ causing pain on jaw closure creating sucking difficulty.
- Inability to have a deep latch: The bilateral TMJ limited her jaw opening so the nipple could not reach back to the soft palate for a deep latch.
- Open mouth: Painful TMJs can limit jaw closure and a possible airways issue may also be present.
- Fast breathing: She had tightness in her respiratory system probably relating to the open mouth.
- Congestion from birth: The restriction of her respiratory system may create congestion in these tissues.
- Arching: A common problem with newborns creating multiple issues that must be addressed in therapy.
- Stiffness: Her fascial web was tight everywhere. In our world a tight infant body does not function well. Loose infant bodies are happier.
- Gas: Restriction in the digestive area can cause gas. Also with TMJ issues, she can swallow air causing gas.
Pediatricians need to understand that fascial strain is a big deal in their clinical practices. From children with asthma, earaches, and headaches to infants with colic, reflux, and breastfeeding issues, doctors need to step outside their technological, drug, and surgery box. When they open to corrective soft tissue care, happy babies and children can become the rule, not the exception.
Sign up for Gillespie Approach Training Opportunities
Foundation Trainings
Gillespie Approach Foundation Training is designed for students to work with children and adults.
2026 Dates:
- January 22–24 | Melbourne, FL
- March 19–21 | Greenville, SC
- May 14–16 | Westfield, IN
- June 25–27 | Bozeman, MT
- August 6–8 | Boise, ID
- October 1–3 | Olathe, KS
- November 9–11 | Newtown Square, PA
- November 12–14 | Newtown Square, PA
Infant Trainings
Gillespie Approach Infant Training is designed for students to work with infants.
2026 Dates:
- January 25–27 | Melbourne, FL
- March 22–24 | Greenville, SC
- May 17–19 | Westfield, IN
- June 28–30 | Bozeman, MT
- August 9–11 | Boise, ID
- October 4–6 | Olathe, KS
- November 15–17 | Newtown Square, PA
New to Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy?
Read a collection of articles handpicked by Dr. Barry Gillespie to help you grasp core information and understand training and treatment options.
Make a Gillespie Approach Appointment to Get the Help You Need
Talk About the Gillespie Approach With Our Community on the Gillespie Approach Forum
Catch Every Story! Get a Free E-book and Infographic With Your Email Newsletter Subscription
Explore Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy Articles Based on Hundreds of Health Conditions and Anatomical Regions
Enjoy Many Powerful Testimonials for Babies, Children and Adults
From fussy babies experiencing breakthroughs and children excelling in school to adults emerging triumphant over mystery health conditions, get inspired by these heartwarming and soul-stirring testimonials.
