What is SomatoEmotional Release (SER)?

by SharonHartnett | Dec 9, 2015 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, stillpoint

Many clients who come in for Craniosacral Therapy ask about SomatoEmotional Release (SER).

They have usually heard from their friends or associates how much better they feel after a few sessions. Yet they are not quite certain what SER is. So in order to educate potential clients, I’d like to take the Upledger’s description to share,

“ SomatoeEmotional Release may be defined as a release from the body tissues of energy that has been stored in the tissues for some time subsequent to an incident resulting in the placement of this energy in those tissues. The energy, which is foreign to the tissues in which it resides, almost invariably has within it an emotional component. When the SomatoEmotional Release technique is effectively carried out, the emotion is re-experienced by the patient/client and, most often, a rather vivid memory of the incident during which the energetic placement occurred comes into conscious awareness.”

The most important intention that comes to my mind as a Craniosacral Therapist who works with SER, is to create a sacred environment that focuses on working with unity of the mind, body and spirit. By holding space for the whole person, whatever shows up during a session can move forward, all taken care of by the client’s own “Inner Physician (IP)”. That inner intelligence that lies within regulates the session and helps the client to release energy that is caught up. The Therapist is connected to the IP and follows its guidance without judgment. This helps to complete unfinished cycles so that the client can feel finished with whatever unconscious material shows up.

SomatoEmotional Release

Clients who have experienced trauma, anxiety and other emotional extremes often feel much better balanced after an SER session. Not only from a feeling perspective, but also physically as well. When the client is able to move through fear along with letting go of dysfunctional tissue patterns, they are often able to move more freely into their future.

SomatoEmotional Release can be an excellent addition to psychotherapy. While students are trained in this type of work at the Upledger Institute , the foundation of the training is on working with the Craniosacral system. I like to think that this training helps manual therapist to be prepared for whatever shows up in the session without trying to control it or working towards fixing things. This is a journey of discovery and self-awareness.

If you are interested in finding out more about SER, please call Sharon Hartnett CST, at (740) 966-5153 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Flu or Cold this Season?

by SharonHartnett | Nov 29, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration

Should you come in for a massage when you are experiencing a flu or cold this season?

I love working with my clients. Truly I do. My work and the people I touch bring so much light into my world. But I am always astonished that some of them come into the intimate setting of the massage room with either a full blown cold or flu. I know they need some TLC. But the massage table is not the best place to get it. Especially with COVID still present. It’s important to remember that your massage therapist LMT can get sick. But not only that, everyone she/he touches or who breaths in or comes into contact with a live virus is prone to catch the same thing with enough exposure.

Stay at home if you have the flu. Get some rest and heal if possible.

Some of the symptoms to look for are:

Cold:

stuff or runny nose
sneezing
cough
eyes watering
fatigue
headache
light fever
congestion

Flu:

stuffy and/or runny nose
headache
weakness
fatigue
dry cough
fever
congestion
body aches and pains

Colds tend to be milder. They also seem to be much short lived.

For more information on colds and flu check out: Colds and the Flu

The best thing you can do is to rest, and take good care of yourself and others with plenty of sleep, and/or speaking with your physician. Also- just so you know, sometimes massage can aggravate your illness if too much activation is going on in your body systems. Not to mention, I think I have read that some Chicken noodle soup can really help to!

Don’t be afraid to cancel if you are sick:). Since I wrote this post, I have switched away from massage to Craniosacral Therapy. COVID has had a big impact on many so please be mindful of resting and taking care of yourself, as well as keeping others healthy!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Working with Fascia

by SharonHartnett | Nov 28, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FASCIA TYPE OF THERAPY

by, Sharon Hartnett LMT, SI, CST 703 509-1792

I have been working with Fascia as a primary type of massage for about 17 years. One of the most difficult things about this incredible type of work is explaining the difference between fascia work and general massage to the public. This is not your typical “Spa” massage, but its therapeutic benefits are longer lasting and generally much more profound in my opinion. Yet most people have only heard or experienced typical muscle massage. I’d like to list a few characteristics of fascial work to help you gain a better understanding of how it can help you:

1. The main objective of fascia work is to help release any restrictions or adhesions in the fascial system. The fascia itself is like a 3 dimensional web that envelopes the body and all the internal contents within. When one thing is pulled out of alignment, it affects the rest of the body. By intending to help the fascia to be free and fluid, the whole body improves in functionality and movement.

2. The actual touch can feel very different. Usually with general massage such as Swedish, the therapist uses oils and gently glides over the skin and underlying tissues. With deeper work, lubrication is still used even with the pressure. With fascial therapy, the therapist connects into the connective tissue layers and stretches the “material” until it forms a healthier consistency. The therapist waits for this, listens to the body and moves to the next restricted area. Also, while fascial work can be very comfortable, some clients who have limited mobility and flexibility who want quicker results may ask for a more assertive session. Like deep tissue, this can stir up a painful response. It’s up to the therapist and client to always dialogue about what feels like it is helping or not. Teamwork creates the best results.

3. Due to the relationship of fascia to the musculoskeletal system, fascia type of work can help improve posture more easily. When the fascia is lengthened, it gives more space to muscles, bones, organs and throughout the body. Fascia type of work brings the body back into its natural alignment. Taking stress and strain off the body helps people to walk and move easier.

4. Myofascial therapy can really help to give more optimal health to scar areas. When an injury happens to the body and scar tissue is randomly put down, it lock up certain areas of the body, which in turn affects everything. By working with scar tissue, the therapist can help bring more order to the dysfunctional patterns in the body.

5. Athletes or even anyone who moves in certain habitual patterns can definitely benefit from fascia work. When we use our bodies over and over in a particular way, imbalances can occur between front/back, side/side, top/bottom- basically all over. Working with the whole body through myofascial therapy, therapists can help the body to normalize.
I love my work. Touching into the intelligence of the body through the fascial has turned around the health of so many of my clients. Recently, I had a “Senior” in who had a deep sore that looked black that wouldn’t heal. The next week, it was pink and purple. I couldn’t believe how much improvement he had. My thought was that because we opened up the tissues there, his body could self correct and heal better. It had been like that for a while and then this huge change. Most massage therapist practitioners get into this work because they like helping people. What could be more rewarding?
If you are interested in receiving fascia type of work, contact Sharon at (740) 966-5153 for a free 15 phone consultation.

Warmly,
Sharon Hartnett LMT
Structural Integration Therapist
Certified Advanced Craniosacral Therapist
Columbus, Ohio

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Moved my Massage Practice to Johnstown Ohio

by SharonHartnett | Nov 23, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Massage

Well, I finally decided to stop making the drive to Upper Arlington and to focus my Massage Therapy practice to Johnstown, Ohio. So Johnstown residents, and surrounding areas… you have a new Craniosacral Therapist in town.

In addition to this, I have also decided to focus on Craniosacral Therapy as the main modality of my work. I have lots of experience with many different types of massage therapy, bodywork, energy work, and SomatoEmotional work, but I have found that the Craniosacral Therapy is versatile in being able to help most people with many different health challenges. With CST, I have seen clients live their lives with more ease and comfort by simply releasing restrictions and adhesions within the cranium and along the spine. By also addressing myofascial dysfunctional patterns in addition, clients seem happy to leave their pain behind by the time they leave the door. The most unique thing about my work with clients is that I listen, meld, and follow your leadership in accomplishing positive results. Each session is different based upon what is presented during the session.

As a way to market my new business, I will leave promotional materials for great deals for the holiday season at the “Hot Spot” on Coshocton Rd. in November. You can find out more about this great coffee cafe at: Hot Spot FB .

Craniosacral Therapy in Johnstown, Ohio

As I am new here for the most part in this area, I look forward to meeting lots of great people and clients.

If you have any questions about my work, please contact me, Sharon Hartnett at 740 966-5153 with your questions.

For more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out: www.upledger.com

Basics about Your Nervous System

by SharonHartnett | Nov 21, 2015 | craniosacral, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

What is the Nervous System in Human Beings?

The nervous system is a complex and intricate network that is set up to help facilitate informational dialogue and exchange within you and throughout all the relationships around you. The Nervous System consists of basically two parts: The Central Nervous System and the Peripheral Nervous System. You can think of these two different systems as a computer that relays information from one place to the other. In the Case of the Central Nervous System, we are focusing on the two structures: the brain and the spinal cord (long bundle of nerves). The brain is the control center and the spine transmits information to and from the rest of the body. The Peripheral side of things include the nerves or ganglia found outside of the Central Nervous System.

Craniosacral Therapy supports the health of the Nervous System

As you can see by the above picture, the CNS and PNS are extensive. In Craniosacral Therapy, we use this knowledge to help clients to optimize their health benefits by keeping the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and soft tissue flow smooth and balanced. By working with the Craniosacral System, we can subtly listen to how the tissues around the brain, along the spine and throughout the body are responding. By working with symmetry, rate, amplitude and quality of the rhythm, we can help release restrictions and adhesions from around the nerves. It’s important to allow for nervous system functioning to keep organs, muscles and intelligence of life operating in ease.

From my perspective, with Craniosacral Therapy, the primary focus is keeping the Nervous System healthy, and by doing this- we are also encouraging everything in the body to relate more efficiently and with proper functioning. When we feel good with our internal links, our external links and relationships feel better too.

Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI

Advanced Certified Craniosacral Therapist

740 966-5153

Columbus, Ohio

(Most people have a basic understanding of the brain, but for a good resource to find out more about the Peripheral Nervous System, check out:

Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Through the Mayo Clinic link)