The deeper I get into studying the craniosacral fascial system, the more I see that it may be tied to rare medical conditions.
A thirty-six-year-old patient presented with autoimmune hepatitis, a rare condition. He had fatigue and headaches, neck aches, backaches, joint pain similar to arthritis, and jaw pain. He also had an unusual pain in his liver area.
Since a liver biopsy from five months ago showed inflammation, his doctor diagnosed him with autoimmune hepatitis. I looked at that diagnosis with suspicion because, if the medical profession has any doubts about a diagnosis, at times they tend to reach in that autoimmune bucket for a definitive answer.
In qualifying myself, I told the patient that I was not a medical doctor but a retired periodontist and current massage therapist. My chief aim was to find the root cause of his problem and help the body heal.
His history puzzled me since he did not present like the typical liver disease patient. He was not taking medication, did not do illegal drugs, had only an occasional drink in social settings, and had cleaned up his diet from seed oils and processed food to more vegetables and fruits.
When I looked at the function of his craniosacral fascial system, he presented with a zero-second brain cycle and tightness throughout his fascial web. Just these findings alone could explain a lot of his issues.
Then something unusual struck me. When I palpated the ribs over his liver, there was severe compression where the fascial web was being drawn in from an apparent old trauma.
The patient could not recall any trauma during his lifetime. In our world, there is trauma remembered and trauma forgotten. Maybe it happened in his first few years or during his 40 weeks of fetal life.
When I started therapy, that compression released nicely after a few sessions. On the next technique, his trunk twisted severely to the right, applying more pressure to the liver area. Further therapy indicated deep liver strain when he connected the dots over that area. All of his body’s fascial roads led to his liver.
Since the fascial web connects every cell of every organ, the liver cells need to be all communicating well with one another for optimal function. If the liver section of the fascial web tightened significantly from past trauma, that cellular communication may be impaired. The liver can then become overloaded with toxins over time, which could possibly result in inflammation.
This scenario could possibly explain his medical situation, especially with his unrelated history. As an important aside, I believe that the phenomenon of fascial cellular tightness may hold true for any organ in the body, as it relates to other corresponding diseases.
At the end of the visit, his fascial web was releasing nicely, and his brain cycle opened to 60 seconds. I am hopeful that the Gillespie Approach may be the answer for him.
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.
