High anxiety - young child - woman with laptop computer and glasses - Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

High Anxiety As a Young Child

Why would a young child have high anxiety and OCD tendencies when her mother said she should have been chasing butterflies?

A twenty-seven-year-old woman has anxiety, headaches, neck, shoulder, and upper-back pain. A midwife delivered her at home in less than two hours. Before we did our Lancaster infant research, we did not realize that quick births can create severe strains in the craniosacral fascial system.

She was a fussy baby and also had a bad fall down a full flight of steps at ten months of age. That latter trauma may have tightened her body even further.

Her mom said her anxiety and OCD tendencies as a child manifested in doing everything perfectly. When she was in school, she continually had to sharpen her pencil to create perfect letters and numbers. No one knew what to make of her behavior.

She presented to my office with a zero-second brain cycle and a tight upper body. She also wore metal-frame glasses.

In 1980, I discovered a strange phenomenon for some but not all patients. Their metal-frame glasses could take their brain cycle down to zero seconds. They could have great therapy sessions, but when they left with their glasses on, their brain motion was restricted for an unknown reason.

After the first visit, her brain cycle opened to 50 seconds and to 120 seconds on the second visit while wearing her new plastic frames. The fascia in her upper body was releasing beautifully, and she was feeling more relaxed with significantly less pain.

If I could turn back the clock, she needed to have been seen at birth to mitigate the effects of her birth trauma. She also needed to have been checked after falling down the stairs. Toddlers are usually fine after most falls but may need to be evaluated after a severe trauma.

"Disease begins in the fascia."

Sign up for Gillespie Approach Training Opportunities

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

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.

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.

Watch the Latest Gillespie Approach Videos and Check the Archive

  Translate

Get the free email newsletter, infographic and e-book How Your Fussy Baby Can Become A Happy Baby