In my six years of periodontal education, this condition was never discussed. As a primer, a periodontist deals with the supporting structures of the teeth—the gingiva (gums) and bone. The term “periodontics” literally means structures “around the tooth.”
With a combination of poor oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle, the gums can become inflamed, which can result in deterioration of the underlying supporting bone. Periodontists try to create a healthy oral environment that can keep the teeth for a lifetime.
A woman presented with cramping or pain in her gingiva. It was off and on, but in her mind, it was real. Unlike some other doctors, I believed the patient.
She visited many dental providers, the best of the best in Philadelphia, for this unusual condition. The bottom line was that no one could even begin to offer a solution.
Becoming desperate like most of my patients, she paid me a visit. If I could possibly help, I knew that the answer had to lie in the function of the craniosacral fascial system.
I know that the fascial web connects every cell of the body, including the gingiva. Since she had a good 120-second brain cycle, I felt the answer was probably in a tight and/or distorted fascial web.
I wondered if strain in the web from one area of the body could be pulling on the gums. When she separately held the three painful areas on her gums, her trunk went through different twisting motions.
That indicated fascial strains from her trunk were pulling into her three painful gum areas. I had seen this phenomenon before, with trunk fascia pulling into the eyes, teeth, tongue, and other cranial structures but never the gingiva.
After I spent the first visit releasing these strains, she said, on the second visit, the areas were much improved but not 100%. A few days after the second visit, she called and thanked me because the pain was gone.
As a note, earlier in my career, I felt that receding healthy gum tissue exposing a root could be fascial strain from the mucosa, cheek, or body pulling on it. Periodontists were not on board with that explanation and probably would not be open to this one. Pioneering new concepts is not easy.
Dentistry needs to get with the latest in patient care. Gillespie Approach Training is a great tool for any bodywork professional.
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.
