About Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, Baby Brain Score, Infant-Driven Movement and Dr. Barry Gillespie
About Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT)
Dr. Barry Gillespie discovered the Craniosacral Fascial System, which consists of a slight motion of the brain and spinal cord pumping cerebrospinal fluid into the fascial web that connects every structural cell of the body. When physical trauma and/or emotional trauma adversely tighten this freely moving system, tremendous pressure can be exerted on associated nerves, muscles, organs, blood vessels, lymph vessels and bones. Profound effects on body function may result as a major cause of the presented health conditions.
Dr. Barry Gillespie teaches Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) so others can effectively relieve pressure in this system. The Gillespie Approach originated from the cranial osteopathic principles of Dr. William Sutherland, the authentic myofascial release work of John Barnes, P.T., and Dr. Barry Gillespie’s background as a periodontist. The power of the Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy revolves around hands-on procedures that facilitate healing without drugs, vitamins, supplements, technology or surgery. A freely moving brain, spinal cord and fascial web are must-haves for the well-being of all newborns, children and adults.
About the Baby Brain Score (BBS)
Dr. Barry Gillespie created the Baby Brain Score (BBS) in 2006. This screening tool quickly assesses brain function in the first few minutes of life. A compromised BBS alerts professionals to the immediate need for Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy.
After working with about 800 infants from Mexico, the United States and Canada over six years, Dr. Barry Gillespie, Kristen Myers, Michael Myers and Pricilla Kercher presented their research findings in 2015.
We believe that the effects of fetal trauma and birth trauma can be mitigated at the beginning of life to create optimal brain function, prevent many diseases and avert a lifetime of suffering. What a great gift for a human being! Even though Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy can be beneficial at any age, our primary goal is for prevention with the use of the BBS and the Gillespie Approach for every newborn worldwide.
Our courses empower our students with Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy. Our passion is to inspire them to do great work so we all can live in a healthier world.
Changing the world, one baby at a time.
—Lori Beth Geils
About Infant-Driven Movement (IDM)
Infant-Driven Movement (IDM) allows the therapist to listen to the infant as s(he) stretches through her/his fascial strain patterns due to birth trauma.
The provider softly feels for connective tissue or fascial restrictions without manipulating the newborn. It is gentle and noninvasive without applying force to adjust the infant.
The newborn drives his/her own movement by stretching, bending, flexing, extending (arching) or twisting while the practitioner gently allows, supports, follows and feels the soft tissues of the body release.
The newborn can beautifully let go of his or her emotional trauma and physical trauma with complete freedom without any adult social filters. Like a tight spring gently unwinding, s(he) can relax and heal. The goal is to create a strain-free, thriving and happy baby.
About Dr. Barry Gillespie, Creator of Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy
Dr. Barry Gillespie has been in the scientific field his entire life. He was a science major at the university level and matriculated into dental school in 1969. After graduation, he took two years of study for his master’s degree in periodontics/TMJ. Upon completion in 1975 at the age of 28, he discovered that his own headaches and sinus infections were primarily due to craniosacral fascial restriction. When conventional medical care could not correct his problem, he began his journey into the field of complementary medicine for his own healing. In 1977, Dr. Gillespie added this complementary approach to help his patients in private practice.
In 1980, while working with children who had TMJ and headaches, Dr. Barry Gillespie discovered that craniosacral fascial restriction in the respiratory system caused pediatric asthma. In his asthmatic clinical research, which spanned 20 years through the 1980s and 1990s, he also discovered that many other childhood diseases such as chronic earaches, headaches, learning disorders, ADHD, rhinitis, colic, reflux, scoliosis and strabismus stemmed from dysfunction of the craniosacral fascial system.
Because of the potential global magnitude of the discoveries he made, Dr. Barry Gillespie left his periodontal practice in 1997 after 22 years to devote himself full time to this work. He published Healing Your Child in 1999 to educate lay parents about the natural care concepts and, in 2000, published Brain Therapy for Children and Adults as a teaching manual for his students.
In fall 2003, Dr. Barry Gillespie became a member of The Family Hope Center medical staff. Since children with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, dyslexia and speech conditions showed excellent progress with craniosacral fascial therapy, he trained all the staff members at the center in his work. They continue to do the therapy today for children internationally.
In 2007, Dr. Barry Gillespie was the principal author in formulating the Baby Brain Score (BBS) approach. An article on this topic was published in spring 2010 in The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology. The BBS is a screening test done for newborns following the Apgar Scores to assess neonatal neurophysiology. To complete the approach, Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy is done immediately to relieve soft-tissue strain in the tiny body.
From 2007 to 2012, Dr. Barry Gillespie, Kristen Myers and Michael Myers extensively researched the newborn work in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. During that time, the entire Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy team evaluated and treated about 800 infants in Mexico, Canada and America. They were grateful for the opportunity to do this work. Even though they had no financial backing, God opened every door for six years. From this work, Dr. Barry Gillespie published his third book, The Brain Score Approach, in November 2010.
The next step is to present the work to the world’s birth professionals. Dr. Barry Gillespie believes that a great opportunity for the Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy and the Baby Brain Score to shine is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He believes very strongly that Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy can truly help these newborns become calmer and more relaxed so they can function better and heal faster. He plans to retire when every one of the world’s 134 million babies receives the Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy and the Baby Brain Score at birth.
Content babies and happy families create a more peaceful planet.
—Dr. Barry Gillespie