614 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.com
Find Someone to Help Me With My Headaches and Migraines|Columbus Ohio Area

Find Someone to Help Me With My Headaches and Migraines|Columbus Ohio Area

Find The Best Manual Therapist For Migraines and Headaches in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Look at www.Upledger.com to find a Craniosacral Therapist with an Integrative Approach to Help with Pain Relief if you want to get to the core potential to heal.

 

What to ask when you contact a therapist

 

When you reach out, here are some questions to help vet whether they’re a good match:

Experience

“Have you worked with clients who have chronic migraines or recurring headaches?”

“Do you use pain psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, or mindfulness-based approaches with people in pain?”

Approach / Modality

  • “What methods or frameworks do you use (e.g. CBT, ACT, MBSR, somatic work)?”

  • “How do you integrate the fact that I have a neurological / physical health condition into therapy?”

Coordination of care

“Are you willing to communicate with my neurologist or headache specialist (with my consent)?”

“Have you worked in multidisciplinary teams (doctors, physical therapists, pain clinics)?”

Practicals

Do you accept my insurance (in-network)?

What’s your rate if out-of-network?

Do you offer sliding scale?

Are sessions in person, telehealth, or hybrid?

How often do you typically see clients in similar situations?

Sure mediation can help.  But wouldn’t you rather reach for your body’s own ability to deeply heal the core issue?  There are no guarantees, however-I have seen many people get much better over a series of Craniosacral Therapy and other manual therapies.  Often my clients feel well after a the orignal sessions and then end up coming about once a month to maintain.

If you ahve severe neck issues, it might be best to work with a team of practitioners/doctors.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614. 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

craniosacral therapy worthington ohio

Call Craniosacral Therapist Near Me

Sharon Hartnett CST-D is a Certified Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute

30 years of experience in mind/body centered healing and somatic work.

Telephone:  614 653-8111

Located in Worthington, Ohio and Serving the Columbus area.

Listening to the Body’s Deeper Intelligence

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle approach to listening to the body’s own deeper mind-body intelligence. Rather than trying to “fix” a symptom, I listen with my hands and my presence to what your system is already communicating. When the body feels safe enough to express itself, the central nervous system begins to balance, nourish, and restore itself from within.

This work opens communication with the essence and core of each individual. When the craniosacral rhythm is flowing freely, people often feel deeply relaxed, more aligned, and connected to themselves again. Over the years, I’ve seen clients leave sessions feeling lighter, clearer, and more at peace in both body and spirit.

Why I Was Drawn to Craniosacral Therapy

I first experienced craniosacral therapy decades ago. What struck me most was how such light touch could create such profound change. My body softened. My mind quieted. I felt healthier and more whole.

As a practitioner now, I use CST as the foundation of my work because it meets people exactly where they are. The body knows what it needs — my role is to listen deeply, stay neutral, and help the system find its own natural balance.

Many people assume that light touch is less effective than deep tissue work. In reality, working gently with the tissues and dialoguing with the nervous system is often far more powerful for lasting healing. The change arises organically rather than being imposed from the outside.

An Integrative, Trauma-Informed Approach

My practice combines craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, visceral manipulation, and energy healing in an intuitive, trauma-informed way. Every session is customized to the person in front of me. I draw on what I’ve learned from the Hakomi Method, Barbara Brennan Healing Science, Upledger CST, and years of working with clients through trauma, injury, and personal transformation.

This integrative model allows the body to unwind from multiple levels — structural, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. Healing is never just physical; it’s a whole-person process.

What Happens in a Typical Session

When a client arrives, I begin by listening. The first few minutes are about connecting — hearing what brings them in, noticing their tone of voice, posture, and how they inhabit their body. Everything tells a story about how their system is adapting and compensating.

After about ten minutes, the client lies fully clothed on the table. I place my hands gently at different areas — head, sacrum, feet — and listen to the craniosacral rhythm. This subtle motion naturally goes into flexion and extension with pauses in between. I assess its quality, rate, and symmetry. Where there are restrictions, I support the tissues in finding balance.

Sessions last about 75 minutes, longer than most bodywork sessions, because I want clients to have time to drop into deep stillness without feeling rushed. Afterward, I ask what shifts they noticed and how they might integrate these changes into daily life. Healing continues long after the session ends.

How I Track Progress

Progress often shows up in small but meaningful ways — easier movement, deeper sleep, less anxiety, or feeling more “present” inside the body. Each session, I ask questions to help clients notice what’s changing.

Because the work is so individualized, I often suggest people start with three sessions to feel how their system responds. From there, we adjust frequency based on their goals and progress. Some people come short-term for an acute issue; others choose ongoing sessions for maintenance, stress relief, and emotional regulation.

Somatic Therapy: Bringing Awareness and Empowerment

Somatic therapy helps clients develop awareness of how emotions and experiences live in the body. Using a Hakomi approach, I notice subtle cues — a breath held, a shoulder tightening — and may reflect or ask mindful questions to bring unconscious patterns to light.

Sometimes, we explore these through small “experiments” in awareness. This isn’t talk therapy; it’s an embodied inquiry that helps people discover their own inner wisdom. When someone becomes more self-aware, they naturally become more self-empowered. They begin to trust their body again and make new choices from a grounded place.

Visceral Manipulation: Restoring Internal Balance

Visceral manipulation focuses on the gentle mobilization of the organs and their connective tissues. Every organ in the body needs a certain freedom of motion to function optimally. When there’s restriction — from injury, surgery, posture, or emotional tension — it can affect digestion, breathing, or pelvic health.

I often work with women who experience pelvic discomfort, digestive issues, or breathing limitations. Through subtle assessment and touch, I help release restrictions so the organs can move in harmony again. This work often relieves pain, improves range of motion, and restores vitality throughout the entire system.

A Trauma-Informed Lens

Over the years, I’ve worked with many women who have experienced sexual abuse or boundary violations. Healing touch must always be guided by safety and choice. Sometimes clients say they want touch but their body shows hesitation. In those cases, we pause and explore what safety feels like together before any physical work begins.

Empowerment is at the heart of trauma-informed care. My goal is never to override a client’s readiness but to help them rebuild trust in their own boundaries and sensations. Healing is not about forcing release — it’s about re-establishing connection to the self in a way that feels deeply safe.

Real Stories of Change

Over the years, I’ve witnessed remarkable outcomes — not because of me, but because of how powerfully the body can heal when listened to.

  • Tinnitus relief: A woman came in with persistent tinnitus that had been plaguing her for months. By the end of the session, the ringing had stopped — and it remained quiet when we followed up later.
  • Chronic headaches: Another client had experienced daily headaches for six years. Within ten minutes of gentle craniosacral work, the pain disappeared and stayed away.
  • Post-accident recovery: A young woman who’d been in a car accident and lost her baby struggled to walk and was overwhelmed by grief. After ten sessions, she could move more freely, felt calmer, and began reconnecting with life.
  • Concussion and sensory overload: One woman with foggy thinking and extreme light sensitivity after a concussion felt clear enough after ten sessions to resume outdoor activities and adventures again.
  • TMJ Jaw and mouthwork that released tension in the jaw and joints.
  • Post Surgery Recovery A client recovered quickly after breast surgery.  Her range of motion and flow was much better.

Not every case shifts this quickly — each person’s healing journey unfolds uniquely. But these stories remind me daily of why I do this work.

Physiological and Energetic Perspectives

Physiologically, I believe that every relationship and life experience influences the body. When I come from my higher self — grounded, experienced, and connected — it opens communication down to the cellular and even quantum level. The body begins to reorganize itself toward health.

Energetically, I work with both flow and structure. Sometimes that means clearing congestion in the chakras or balancing the auric field. These subtle levels often correspond directly to physical tension and emotional holding patterns.

Who Can Benefit

Craniosacral therapy can benefit nearly anyone — from babies to seniors. I work with people dealing with:

  • Back and neck pain
  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Nervous-system dysregulation
  • Emotional trauma
  • Postural imbalances and limited range of motion
  • A general sense of disconnection or depletion
  • TMJ Relief

The only contraindications are conditions like active aneurysms, blood clots, or other medical issues that require more acute care. Otherwise, this work supports overall wellness and prevention by helping the body function at its best.

A Community Approach to Healing

Since moving to the Worthington area, I’ve noticed a need for more connection among bodyworkers and healers. I believe in collaboration and often refer clients to other trusted professionals — physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and counselors — to make sure they get the most comprehensive support possible.

Putting the client’s needs first means honoring all aspects of their healing. True wellness happens when we see the whole person, not just a symptom.

Why I Do This Work

I do this work because I believe each of us is capable of evolving into the best version of ourselves. My teachers and experiences have shown me that living with core values — curiosity, compassion, and authenticity — brings meaning and purpose to life.

When we learn to listen to the wisdom of the body, life begins to flow differently. Healing is not just about relief from pain; it’s about remembering who we truly are and allowing life to support us fully.

Begin Your Own Healing Journey

If you’re curious about how craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, or visceral manipulation can help you, I’d love to meet you.

My 75-minute sessions in Worthington, Ohio, offer a peaceful space to unwind, rebalance, and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.

You can reach me through craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com or call 614-653-8111 to schedule an appointment. Together, we’ll explore what your body is ready to release — and what new possibilities it’s ready to open to.

Ankle Freedom, Upright Posture: A Craniosacral Perspective on Neck Health — Columbus Insights

Ankle Freedom, Upright Posture: A Craniosacral Perspective on Neck Health — Columbus Insights

Craniosacral Approach: Ankle Mobility for Better Posture & Neck Health in Columbus

After 30 years of being a craniosacral therapist and doing integrative types of bodywork,  it dawned on me how very important it is to free up the ankles in order for the neck to do the same.

 

A Bit about the Fascial System

The fascial system forms a continuous integrated architecture that literally connects your feet to your head.  Working with this seamless three dimensional connective tissue network beginning at the ankles and feet can make a huge difference in how you feel and move in your body.  It also directly affects the neck and it’s ability to sidebend, rotate and move in various directions.

Fascia is a seamless three dimensional connective tissue network that envelopes muscles, bones, organs, nerves and vessels.  It allows global integration and force transmission.  It is the medium through which all of life dialogues in my opinion.

In any case, recently what I have been noticing is that people who come in with neck issues, usually have a tightness in their lateral line.  That begins at the peroneous muscles and goes up through the glutes, transferring possible tension up into the SCM muslces and such.  Often this can lead to pain with headaches and migraines. There has to be efficient flow and communication from the head to the body, and the body to the head through the thoracic inlet.

Secondly, the plantar fascia and posterior needs to be considered as it deals with the arch and  gait for walking and movement.

We have other lines too from the toes which run up to the pelvis to the head as well.  So many relationships with which to work in order to restore better mobility and posture.

Your Goals with Craniosacral Therapy for your Health

The neck may be your weakest link.  You may come in with neck pain, and issues like migraines, headaches, and tinnitus.  You may believe that you need only local massage to release pain.  But this is NOT a local muscle problem.

With Craniosacral Therapy, we approach the whole body. As a Structural integration Therapist I look at the whole body. The reason is- every movemenet we make is about interconnected patterns.  What brings about optimal health and motion is addressing all the parts and patterns which add up to the whole.

As a somatic therapist, I know that you want to be feeling your best. I have to say though that most times, working only on the neck won’t bring you long term relief.  Everything needs to change to create better order and integration.

Whole body attention is much more comprehensive and effective.  You deserve to come in for treatments and to have your goals reached which most often are pain relief and better motibility. It is true that the neck probably needs a lot of attention, but the  thoracic inlet, head and everything down to your ankles and toes does need to be included  too in most cases.

My Goals for You with Craniosacral Therapy

First of all, my goal is whatever your goal is for yourself.  Each Craniosacral Therapy treatment is based on how your body communicates through the craniosacral system.  Bodies know how to move into the direction of healing, and I have faith in that dynamic to lead the session. In addition, I visually check your fascial alignment, and feel for twists, turns or any irregularities.  I treat based on what you and your body are telling me.  Each session is unique, as it should be as each person has their own way of developing and holding posture.

I find that by trusting the body’s communication and presnetation of patterns is the most effective way to treat.

Something I would like to invite you to do at home.

If your neck tightenss is  bothering  you, lie on the floor and feel how your neck and feet position themselves.  Are they even when you look?  Flexing your feet and pointing them, are you tight or do you move freely.  Can you move your feet from right to left and left to right with ease?  When you stand up, can you lift your toes? Do you stand on each side of your heal and the balls of your feet with balance.  What do your arches look and feel like?  Use your imagination and try to move your feet in many different planes of movement and see  what is limited and what is not.

After about 5 minutes of testing.  Get back on the floor.  Breathe in for 4 and out for 6.  Check in with your body and see how it feels after just the test. Do your ankles feel better?  Your neck.  Make a practice of finding ways to increase your mobility.

With Craniosacral Therapy, the motion tells me everything.  On a deeper level, I listen to what the fluids and nervous system show me.  I will help the body find alignment, and release tensions.  Even more powerful is helping you to center and integrate new changes that give you more freedom in your body.

My message to you is that everything is interconnected in regards to your posture. Your fascia and the Craniosacral System are key to releasing dysfunctional patterns.  However long it took you to get into a pain pattern- be patience and take your time to heal, and get well again.  You deserve Seslf-Care!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

How do the Mind and Body Connect?

How do the Mind and Body Connect?

The Inseparable Dance of Body and Mind

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus:  Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Long regarded as separate, our physical and mental realms are now understood to be intimately intertwined—so tightly that you can’t fully experience one without acknowledging the other.  In the past, if we felt off or ill, we would go to a doctor and have a look at our physical results.  But there is so much more to health than to only focus on the on the body!

1. Neural Highways: Built-In Bridges Between Thought and Physiology

A 2023 study from Washington University School of Medicine uncovered a structural integration within the brain: movement-control regions are directly linked to networks governing thought, planning, and vital involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. This reveals that the body–mind connection is literally wired into our neural architecture Minnesota Clinic For Health & Wellness+11WashU Medicine+11NSF – National Science Foundation+11.
These findings offer insight into phenomena like “butterflies in the stomach,” anxiety‑driven pacing, and why calming the body—through breathing or meditation—can soothe the mind NSF – National Science Foundation.

2. Interoception: Listening Within

Interoception refers to how our brain monitors internal bodily signals—like heartbeat, breathing, or digestion—and integrates them as part of our self-awareness. Misinterpretations of these signals can contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders Wikipedia+2The New Yorker+2.
Psychologists and trauma informed Craniosacral Therapists (and other somatic practitioners) now see mind and body not as separate, but as synchronized in a continuous “prediction system,” in which the brain and body jointly forecast and react to experiences The New Yorker.

3. Embodied Cognition: Think with Your Body

Emerging research in “embodied cognition” emphasizes that our physical being shapes how we think:

  • Emotions are not just mental experiences—they map onto the body.

  • Memory, decision-making, and even language comprehension are influenced by our sensory-motor systems and environment Wikipedia+1.

  • For example, mimicking facial expressions helps us perceive emotions more accurately—a testament to the body’s role in interpreting the mind Wikipedia.

4. Mindfulness & Its Physical Echoes

Mind–body practices such as meditation, mindfulness-based pain management (MBPM),  somatic therapies like Craniosacral Therapy and things like  mindful exploration through Hakomi & other guided imagery deliver measurable benefits:

  • Meditation reduces depression, improves mood and stress resilience, and helps with attention and recovery from illnesses Nature+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia.

  • A study from UC San Diego found that just 20 minutes of mindfulness can significantly decrease pain perception, altering both intensity and emotional response New York Post.

  • MBPM, combining mindfulness with compassion, has shown long-term improvements in pain acceptance, mental health, and quality of life for chronic pain sufferers—even nine years after the intervention Wikipedia.

  • Guided imagery, breath work, hypnosis, and related mind–body interventions like Upledger Craniosacral Therapy have been shown to help with chronic pain, nausea, coronary disease, and enhance immune responses via psychoneuroimmunology—highlighting how thoughts can shape physical health Wikipedia.

5. Body Health Reflects Mental Health, and Vice Versa

Recent large-scale evidence indicates that poor physical health—especially metabolic or immune system dysfunction—often signals underlying mental health issues more clearly than brain scans do health.com.
Moreover, chronic mental states like depression can increase the risk of physical ailments such as heart disease or arthritis, mediated through inflammation and stress hormones time.com.

6. Bridging Western Medicine’s Divide

A 2025 exploration by Cambridge researcher Camilla Nord challenges Western medicine’s traditional split between “physical” and “mental” illnesses. She argues no condition exists purely in one realm—every illness involves both biological and psychological elements The Guardian.


Why This Matters

  • Clinical Practice must evolve toward holistic care—treating both body and mind together, not separately. As a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus for many years, I have seen deep healing with hands on manual work.  Especially when engaging the mind and body and interdependent and melding.

  • Everyday Life benefits too: practices like yoga, embodied learning, meditation, and mindful awareness can enhance wellbeing and resilience.

  • Personal Insight helps us recognize that physical discomfort, emotional stress, or mental fog are not isolated—they’re part of a unified system.

Being in the world of healing for 30 years, I KNOW from experience that we are more than just a physical shell.  The body is something that we live within.  It gives us an opportunity to be human and to have real life experiences.  However, we are also our feelings, our beliefs, and our connections.  We are much more than we ever imagined.  Re-connecting our sense of  mind and body gives us the chance to deepen and feel more whole.


In a nutshell: The body and mind are not two separate entities but parts of a holistic ecosystem. From neural wiring to emotional awareness, from physical sensations to mental health—each influences and shapes the other. Embracing this connection can guide us toward deeper healing, greater self-awareness, and more compassionate care—for ourselves and others.

Let me know if you’d like suggestions for practical exercises or healthy routines that honor this synergy!

Further reading
The mind/body revolution: how the division between 'mental' and 'physical' illness fails us all

The Guardian

Jan 26, 2025
Poor Body Health May Indicate Poor Mental Health-Experts Discuss Mind-Body Connection

health.com

May 11, 2023
What a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus Really Does

What a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus Really Does

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus

 🌿 What a Craniosacral Therapist Does|Human Connection

 

Listening Beyond Words

A craniosacral therapist in Columbus, Ohio supports healing through both presence and technique. This is not energy work—though energy often shifts as the body releases and reorganizes. Instead, it is hands-on, gentle work guided by deep listening. The focus is the Cranosacral System.

With finely tuned sensitivity, a craniosacral therapist feels the craniosacral rhythm—a subtle wave created by the movement of cerebrospinal fluid. This rhythm carries vital information about the body’s state of health and balance.

How Craniosacral Therapy Works with Bones, Fascia, and Fluids

Craniosacral therapy involves gently connecting with the bones of the cranium, spine, and sacrum. By following the body’s cues rather than forcing change, the therapist helps free restrictions that limit fluid motion and structural balance.

Fascia—the connective tissue that weaves throughout the body—softens and responds. Cerebrospinal fluid begins to move more freely. Ligaments surrounding the organs may also gain more space when nearby restrictions release, improving flow and ease in the whole system.

Supporting the Body’s Natural Correction Through Craniosacral Therapy

The focus of craniosacral therapy is always the craniosacral rhythm. By releasing restrictions that interfere with its expression, the body naturally finds better balance. Sometimes this work also reduces strain around the lungs, heart, or organs—not by directly treating those rhythms, but by removing barriers so the body can self-correct. The tissues recognize this freedom as nourishment, allowing release and deeper integration.

Craniosacral Therapy is not only about releasing pain or easing restrictions. It’s about bringing resonance back into the body, creating space for the nervous system to reset, and supporting the deep human need for connection and healing.

Benefits of Seeing a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus, Ohio

When tissues are freed and the craniosacral rhythm moves more easily, the body can:

  • Release tension and long-held restrictions

  • Improve nervous system regulation and resilience

  • Support organ function by easing strain in surrounding structures

  • Encourage natural balance in the musculoskeletal system

  • Integrate changes so shifts hold more deeply over time

  • Deepen a sense of inner calm, presence, and wholeness

A Different Kind of Healing Relationship

Craniosacral therapy is not about doing to the body, but listening with it. By creating resonance and supporting the body’s innate intelligence, a craniosacral therapist in Columbus, Ohio helps restore motion, balance, and health. Where there is motion, there is life.

Sharon Hartnett Craniosacral Therapist Serving the Columbus Area

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus..com