by SharonHartnett | Apr 23, 2014 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Consistent Nurturing Touch… Finding a Way to Connect with Autism
For parents: Massage has been shown to be effective in helping children on the Autism Spectrum.
One study in particular found that children who received a general 15 minute massage before bedtime showed more on-task focus and improved social skills, along with better sleep throughout the night. Massage is an easy practice that all parents can take up to help their children relax on many different levels. If you are not sure of the best way to go about learning massage, a few sessions with a local and experienced Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) or Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST) can help wonders. By taking your child in to see a LMT or CST a few times, you can learn some basic techniques to make your lives easier through touch awareness, exploration and experiential re-connection. Mindful touch is so nourishing and healthy and you might be surprised at the benefits for both of you.
Beautiful shifts and changes with children who are diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum has closely been observed at the Upledger Institute for many years. Craniosacral Therapy is a much more detailed set of techniques that focuses on working with the brain, spine and surrounding tissues. With Craniosacral Therapy in particular, children have consistently found deeper balance and a sense of quiet centering. While they also have been seen to discover more positive feelings about the Self as well as with the surrounding environment, they also have the benefit of physiological change in the CNS. This work helps to decrease structural stress and strain on the nervous system. By releasing tension around the brain, and along the spine, the body functions more optimally, and many kids have experienced very positive results this way. For a case study, please click the following link located at the Upledger Institute, https://iahe.com/html/support/details.php?id=10059
Massage and CSt can feel non-invasive if done with respect and patience- the benefits are numerous: better circulation, more flexibility, less stress. Whether you want to set up a schedule for treatment for yourself and children, or learn some basic skills for calming and integrating, you can’t go wrong. There is no down side to this treatment!
Crainosacral Therapy supporting Autism
Additional Links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11794416
https://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/21221626/cranial-massage-helps-autistic-boy
Some other recommended links given to me by mothers with autism:
Reduce the Noise: Help Loved Ones with Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping
https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/sensory-overload-while-shopping.html
Home Modifications for Autistic Kids
https://www.homecity.com/creating-a-home-where-your-child-can-thrive-with-a-disability
Resources for Military Families
https://www.patss.com/resources/
Moving with Special Needs Kids
https://www.yourstoragefinder.com/moving-with-special-needs-kids
Academic Accommodation Resources
https://www.washington.edu/doit/academic-accommodations-students-psychiatric-disabilities
Worry Wise Kids
https://www.worrywisekids.org/
Estate Planning for Parents of Kids with Autism
https://www.justgreatlawyers.com/estate-planning-for-parents-of-children-with-autism
Sharon Hartnett LMT,
CST in Columbus, Ohio
740 966-5153
by SharonHartnett | Apr 15, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, thought for the day
If we want to continue to Grow and Evolve, it is necessary to open the mind to the body’s own wisdom. By bringing our conscious awareness to our body’s breathing, movement and dialogue, we continue to learn from our internal experience and stay healthier.
Human Evolution
As an experienced massage therapist and bodyworker, I am no longer surprised by how many people spend the majority of time living in their thinking head. I know this may sound crazy to some of you, but there is so much more to us then the thoughts we have been thinking for so long. There is a whole blissful pool of intelligence Within that is Light and the key to our human evolution.
Exploring our bodies with curiosity, through witnessing and and experiencing will help us to feel more deeply connected to the core of our lives.
For yourself, take some time to expand your life and move one step ahead into the fullness of your life!
Lighten Up Therapies is happy to help you on your journey too.
Call Sharon Hartnett LMT at:
(614) 372-6598
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Apr 13, 2014 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, thought for the day
Flex those Muscles for a Great Stretch: Gently and Slowly
You know that as you get older, it can get harder to bend down and touch the ground. Yet somehow, remembering to stretch loses its priority in our daily routine. Why not change that now?
A full body stretch commitment can change how you feel. Taking a few minutes out your day to dedicate to the wellbeing of your body can change your life.You’ll find that stretching can feel great and it naturally give you more flexibility. The real plus here, is that freer movement helps prevent injury and keeps us feeling younger and more energetic.
Enhance your physical fitness by finding an activity that fits your needs. Below is a chart that I recommend that is based on Yoga. But there are many other DVD’s and classes that are just as useful. Ask your physician what he or she recommends.
Fit some stretching into your Day!
Don’t forget to breath and allow yourself to feel the relaxation of opening:)
You health is worth it!
Sharon Hartnett LMT
(740) 966-5153
Recommended link:
by SharonHartnett | Apr 11, 2014 | Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Do your Feet Hurt? How about a wonderful Foot Massage to sooth away the pain?
When your feet feel good, you feel good. Foot massage will not only help undo knots and tension in your feet, but also helps bring comfort to your whole body.
Benefits:
- Having your feet rubbed helps with circulation and is especially advantageous for people experiencing neuropathy in their legs.
- It’s wonderful in how well it alleviates cramped feet discomfort and chronically tight leg muscles.
- From a structural perspective, when the foot is balanced, we stand better in relationship to gravity. Our posture improves from foot to the top of the head.
- Reflexologists state that there are certain areas of nerve innervation that when worked will enhance the corresponding parts of the body.
- Stimulates the Lymphatic System to carry away waste.
Massage Columbus Ohio
Ask your massage therapist to spend a little extra time on your feet!
For additional information, check out this Dr. Weil link: https://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02030/massage-tips.html
Sharon Hartnett LMT
(614) 372-6598
by SharonHartnett | Apr 4, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
To Quiet the Mind… That can be a challenge for those who experience ADHD symptoms.
A Challenge: For children and young adults with ADHD, it may be a test to just get them up on a massage table. They get distracted easily and it may take some time to have them follow the basic directions to prepare for a massage. In fact, initially they may want to avoid table work altogether as the idea itself to quiet down is uncomfortable. However, by building a trusting and calm relationship, supportive somatic listening and therapy can create healthy contact and allow new information to enter an overly active system to help re-center and re-organize. Believe it- that when a busy mind can rest- new focus and concentration can be the end result. Even better, when more fully integrated, it’s easier to fit in and feel comfortable with ourselves and in our lives.
Reducing Stress
How Massage and Craniosacral Therapy can Help
One of the most amazing experiences is when a busy mind actually finds the space to quiet down, even if only for a moment. When this happens the whole body can relax and find a deeper peace. It’s like a “remembering” into ease. In our society, most of us are taught to be active most of the time. We are very goal oriented and can be very stressful when in constant extreme. But do we also promote stillness and meditation with the same intention? Learning how to be mindful and quiet can take practice and it is possible for everyone to find mindfulness. For those with ADHD, to take it a step further- massage and bodywork can be key in helping one to re-establish contact with inner stillness.
One of the quieting tools that Craniosacral Therapy brings to a session is the Stillpoint.
The still point is a technique that a Craniosacral Therapist may induce. The cerebral spinal fluid comes to a pause and the adhesions and restrictions around the brain and spine begin to release as the system is flushed out by the rebuilding of fluid pressure. Often clients will relax to such a deep level that they fall asleep or find a sense of empty spaciousness. It may take time for people with ADHD to have this type of experience, but as sessions progress, the nervous system self-corrects. It can be such a relief.
When clients come into balance, it often helps their self-esteem and naturally builds confidence. No matter what the challenge, it is important that people learn how to rest equally to their abilities to achieve. Our bodies and minds are meant to touch into equilibrium.
Why not try a new experience and commit to an Integrative Self-Care system to help reduce your ADHD symptoms?
Sharon Hartnett CST
(614) 372-6598
Columbus, Ohio
