Layers of the onion - Gillespie Approach–Craniosacral Fascial Therapy

The Layers of the Onion

For the past fifty years, I have seen how the body can hold its many traumas like the layers of an onion. The goal of the Gillespie Approach is to revisit and clear each layer of strain for authentic healing.

A sixteen-year-old boy presented with back pain. He also had a history of ADHD, tics, anal fissure, anxiety, anger issues, sensory issues, and impulsiveness.

As an infant, he was an archer (which tells us a lot) and constipated. He had reactions to his v*cc*nes, about which mom said, “He had tons of Tylenol.”

In my evaluation, he had a zero-second brain cycle with arching, back twisting, and lower-back and pelvic strain. He had a lot going on in his body for a teenager.

During the first therapy visit, he exhibited arching and a twisting trunk. He released well, and his brain cycle opened to 60 seconds.

At the beginning of his second visit, mom amazingly said his back pain went away, then he got a headache, and recently a new pain near his coccyx appeared. She wanted to know, “What happened?”

My explanation was that the fascial strain in his back released well to minimize that pain, the cranial bones shifted as the fascia opened, causing a headache, and then the body presented the strain that caused his anal fissure. The body has an innate wisdom to heal itself.

As Gillespie Approach therapists, we acknowledge this great aspect of human healing. We just try to get ourselves out of the way and facilitate the body’s corrective process.

At the second visit, the coccyx area started to release, and his brain cycle ended the session at 130 seconds. I told mom that he will probably continue to present with “new” issues, which are really old traumas resurfacing.

The defining aspect of the Gillespie Approach is that we do not attempt to “band-aid” conditions. We strive to discover the root cause of an issue so the body can experience genuine healing.

He would have been a prime candidate for therapy at birth. I believe that it would have saved the family years of angst.

Gillespie Approach Training is a great tool to provide patients with authentic healing.

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.

Stay up to Date on Dr. Barry Gillespie’s Latest Discoveries

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