Idiopathic high blood pressure - elderly woman smiling - Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

Idiopathic High Blood Pressure

In creating a new field in healthcare, you often need to draw up a hypothesis to move the work forward. I believe that a tight craniosacral fascial web can be a possible root cause of idiopathic (unknown) high blood pressure.

A sixty-three-year-old woman presented with idiopathic high blood pressure. Her typical resting blood pressure was 200/100. She was taking morphine, clonidine, and other meds to keep her at that level—crazy. Her cardiologist told her she did great on the testing, and she had no signs of cardiovascular disease. So what could be the cause?

The fascial web connects every cell in the body, including every cell in every artery, vein, and lymphatic vessel. Fascial strain in the cardiovascular system can possibly constrict the blood vessels to raise the pressure.

The medical profession cannot measure fascial tightness with any testing. They are not even aware of fascial restriction causing disease.

She has had multiple traumas in her lifetime. She had constant neck pain along with facial (VII) and vagus (X) nerve issues. She has had a double neck fusion, palatal surgery, nerve damage of her tongue, and facial paralysis. She has even felt the fascia pulling inside her skull.

She has also had a cesarean section and pelvic floor trauma. Being very in tune with her body, she felt that her pelvis was pulling on her head and neck—I see a potential provider here! To top all of this off, she had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and scoliosis.

Her birth history was unknown. She presented with a zero-second brain cycle and was tight everywhere.

There were two key harbingers of hope: When her osteopath did manipulation, she felt much better, but it did not last (fascial tightness reverted the gains). She responded well at her first visit, where her fascia released, her brain opened, and she felt her body shifting.

Gillespie Approach Training is so needed to help these patients and prevent these issues at birth.

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