Infants can present the layers of their traumatic onion in their own space and time. Our job as therapists is to just listen.
A mom presented recently with her newborn with only one issue, poor breastfeeding. When I examined the baby, I could only feel strain in both TMJs. Nothing else in her body was talking.
I learned long ago that other areas were probably straining, but were not ready to talk or present to me now. On this first visit I focused on working out the fascial strain in both TMJ areas.
At the second visit mom said nursing was great for a day or two and then everything came back. I knew that something else was pulling on her jaw; I found that it was her diaphragmatic fascia. Her pelvis and lower back were still quiet.
In the Gillespie Approach we are not only concerned with the local strain but also the patterns pulling into our affected areas. I spent that visit helping the baby release the trunk strain pulling into her jaw.
At the last visit mom said the breastfeeding was unchanged. But she was happy that her baby seemed more alert, coming out of zero-second brain cycle, and had established eye contact.
The baby was clear in her TMJs and diaphragmatic areas, but straining hard in her pelvis and lower back. That fascial pattern was pulling into her upper body structures, something that we consistently found in our six-year Lancaster infant research.
This principle holds true for everyone. Your chronic headache, neck pain, or shoulder pain may be originating in your pelvis and may be due to birth trauma. Everything in the fascial web is connected in space and time.
Our work deals with universal and timeless issues. Every human being spends time in a uterus and is born. 90% of us are born with soft tissue strain from birth trauma. Let’s work the strain out on day one to prevent a lifetime of suffering.
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.
