614 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.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

 

 

Still Hurting After an Accident? Craniosacral Therapy May Help You Recover

Still Hurting After an Accident? Craniosacral Therapy May Help You Recover

Craniosacral therapist using light touch to help a woman recover from injury-related headaches and tension"

Find Help with a Craniosacral Therapist after head trauma. Written by Sharon Hartnett CST-D Columbus, Ohio

If you’ve been in a car accident, taken a hard fall, or suffered a head injury, you might still be feeling the effects—long after the moment has passed.

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. experience accidents that leave invisible marks. Car crashes. Ladder falls. Horseback riding injuries. Some walk away feeling lucky—until the symptoms start creeping in.

Lingering headaches. Jaw tension. Brain fog. Dizziness. Chronic neck and back pain. For many, these symptoms don’t show up right away—and when they do, conventional medicine may not offer full relief.

That’s where Craniosacral Therapy (CST) comes in.


? Accidents Are More Common Than You Think

  • Over 6 million car accidents happen in the U.S. every year. Even minor fender benders can cause whiplash or head injuries.

  • 500,000+ people are injured annually in ladder falls.

  • Horseback riding leads to 100,000+ injuries a year—many involving the head, neck, or spine.

While emergency care addresses broken bones and life-threatening trauma, many people are left with unresolved tension or dysfunction that lingers long after the body appears “healed.”


? Traditional Medicine Offers Essential—But Sometimes Incomplete—Relief

After an accident, most people turn to:

  • Pain relievers (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants)

  • Physical therapy

  • Rest or immobilization

  • Imaging and diagnostics (MRIs, CT scans)

These treatments are critical. But for people experiencing post-concussion symptoms, chronic headaches, or nervous system overload, the path to recovery can feel frustratingly slow—or stalled.

Migraines, tension headaches, jaw pain (like TMJ), and hypersensitivity can persist long after scans show “nothing wrong.”


? Craniosacral Therapy: A Gentle Support for Deeper Healing

Craniosacral Therapy works with your body’s natural rhythm to release tension stored in the central nervous system. Using a light, therapeutic touch—no more than the weight of a nickel—a trained CST practitioner listens to subtle patterns in the body and helps unwind areas of restriction or shock.

CST may help:

  • Reduce headaches and migraines

  • Ease neck and jaw tension after whiplash

  • Support post-concussion recovery

  • Calm the fight-or-flight response

  • Improve sleep, mood, and focus

Unlike forceful manipulations or invasive treatments, CST creates a safe space where your nervous system can reset and self-correct—especially helpful when trauma is still “held” in the tissues.


? What the Research Says

A growing body of studies supports CST’s role in pain and trauma recovery:

  • One clinical trial showed reduced pain and frequency of migraines after CST compared to traditional massage.

  • Case studies report improvements in post-concussion symptoms, including dizziness, fogginess, and neck pain.

  • CST has been shown to help with cervicogenic headaches, which are often related to trauma in the neck area.

While more large-scale research is needed, evidence suggests CST can be an effective complementary therapy to traditional medical care—especially when symptoms persist beyond the acute phase.


? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Healing takes time. Especially after trauma.

It’s normal to feel frustrated when you’re not getting answers—or when others say “you should be fine by now.”

Craniosacral Therapy offers another way.   With a Craniosacral Therapist who meets your body where it is, listens deeply, and supports you gently back into balance.


? Ready to Explore a Different Path?

If you’re still hurting after an accident, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Your body may just need the right kind of support to fully let go of what it’s been holding.

Reach out today to learn how Craniosacral Therapy can help you reconnect, recover, and reclaim your sense of well-being.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

For more answers to questions, go to Craniosacral Therapist Columbus Ohio

 


3 Big Benefits of Receiving Structural Integration Therapy

3 Big Benefits of Receiving Structural Integration Therapy

Structural Integration Columbus

How Structural Integration Chose Me.

The miracles of fascia work.

Structural Integration really helped me when I was in my 30’s after having children. My body was so out of alignment, especially after carrying children on my hip and bending over so much. The smartest thing I did was to find a local Rolfer. After 10 sessions, I felt so much longer and spacious, I decided to study it with another local teacher, John Latz for 18 months.

When I lived in the Washington DC area, and Florida, I had a wonderful private practice where I did mostly Structural Integration for many years. Eventually though, as I began to get older, I decided to move more into the Craniosacral Therapy because it’s easier on the body. What I liked about this transition is that both consider the fascia and have similar benefit, but the technques are different. Also, neither are truly considered massage, but instead manual therapy with their own unique perspective to healing.

For about the last 15 years, I have lived in the Columbus, Ohio area, and my primary focus is the Upledger Craniosacral Sessions. However, I still take into account the perspective of structural integration and stacking the body in alignment with the efforlessness of gravity consideration. Also, by addressing imbalances in posture, through the series, even with a gentle approach, it helps to reduce strain on muscles, joints, ligaments and lends to comfort in daily living. By working with the fasica, both in SI work and Craniosacral Therapy, we can help release restrictions, and unzip the body into new possibilities.

Three benefits I see often are:

1.  More energy

2.  Better Balance

3.  Improved Circulation and Motion

I believe that fascia is an incredible system that is still being uncovered and understood.  However, therapist have known this for a long time.  We have witnessed the strength and power of change with the fascia over and over again.

As I stated, I no longer do primarily Structural Integration, but I do “integrate” it into my Craniosacral Work.  It’s much more gentle, and more inclusive with its attention on the Craniosacral System and the rhthym.  I do sort of a combination with the fascial awareness.  It’s all about letting go of stress can creating a better environment for healing.

If you would like to find out more about how I work, I do offer a free 15 phone consultation.   703 509-1792

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

Fascia: The Hands On Treatment that Changes Everything

Getting Manual Work With Your Fascia supports Overall Health and Wellbeing

About 1-2 years ago, I listened to a podcast about the “Interstitium”.  Perhaps you have never heard of it. It is a fairly new term.  And we know that sometimes it takes time for a new idea to come take hold.  So,  I thought I’d give the Interstitium and Fascia work a little boost out here on the web.  So here we are.

 

Let’s begin by defining Fascia and it’s relationship to the Interstitium.

Fascia is a type of tissue that looks like a web inside your body.  If you could imagine that underneath your skin there is a living matrix wetsuit superficially. This fascia tissue travels deeper and through almost everything in the human body: around bones, organs and it basically holds us all together. In your mind, if you could continue to see it-and sense into it, you’ understand it as a strong elastic type of material that stretches and connects throughout.  Fascia is made up out of elastin, collagen and ground substances.

The interstitium is a relatively new area of study in manual therapy. It’s a vast network of fluid-filled spaces that surround cells and tissues, and it plays a key role in how fluids move through the body. By working with both the fascia and the interstitium, therapists can support the movement of these fluids and encourage more efficient flow, which can help the body recover from injury, decrease inflammation, and promote overall health.

This integrated approach, which addresses both the connective tissue (fascia) and the surrounding fluid networks (interstitium), helps create a more holistic, balanced experience for the body. The combination of fluid dynamics and fascial release is what makes manual therapy working with the fascia and interstitium so powerful and restorative.

 

How Does a Manual Therapist Work with the fascia and Interstitium?

1.  It’s key to work slowly and gently whether the therapist does Craniosacral Therapy, Myfascial Release or Deeper Structural Integration.  The connected touch feels like a deep stretch, lengthening and spreading vitality to the surrounding tissues.  When the therapist listens, the fascia will always lead to the easiest way to unwind and free of movement and space.

2.  It’s also quite common for people to feel more fluidity with fascial work.  This is where the instertitium comes in because it allows motion and enhances functioning.

3.  Manual Fascial Therapy often releases deep tension patterns.  Here is where some of the therapies may vary in approach.  With Ida Rolf’s work, generally the touch is more assertive.  The other end of the spectrum is gentle, light touch  Craniosacral Therapy.

4.  You may gain greater awareness of your body.  Touch is a great way to mirror back the sensations in your body.  You may feel a greater sense of connection to the many internal influences that optimize your body’s health and wellness.

5.  The effects of fascial work is profound.  You may walk away feeling so calm and peaceful.  Often people feel more balanced inside but also in how their body stacks up.  This can mean better grounding and use of movement.  When the fascia is better organized, it is more efficient in everything it does.  With muscles but also in promoting organ health too with mobility and motility.

6. Both the fascia and the interstitium are connected to emotions.  For example, when a person experiences a physical or emotional trauma, that may hold in the tissues and contract to protect.  While this is super efficient short-term it’s important to find balance and length again so misalignments don’t compensate permanently.

7.  If you want to feel more at home in your body, fascia and interstitum work can help you reach your goals.  It’s always best to optimize what you have.

A little bit about Sharon Hartnett (author):

I studied Massage in the 1990’s.  Later studying Ida Rolf’s work at the Institute for Structural Integration.  Later in the early 2000’s I got turned on to Craniosacral Therapy.  Truly I love both of these approaches to keep the fascial body healthy.  One  (SI) is definately a stronger approach.  However, the Craniosacral Therapy is so gentle that body is more apt to work more effectively.  It doesn’t fight any of the technique.  More recently, I have studied Visceral Manipulation at the Barral Institute for about the last 10 years.  This looks at the organs and the tissues connecting and surrounding.  Mobilizing the tissues can actually help the organs to functure better.  So all this work is vital to keep peope healthy.   Getting unstuck nourishes the body and cleans up what no longer needs to be held.  I love this work!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

How to Love Your Body No matter How it Looks

Love Your Body, Mind and Spirit

Here are some tips for Shifting your Mindset about your body.  It takes time to Learn to Love Your Body.

  • Every morning before you get out of bed, bring mindfulness to your body and sense into it.  Forget any preconceived ideas that you have believed. Living in these bodies are pretty miraculous. The good news is that we have plenty of fresh new starts. 
  • When you get out of bed, feel into the Ok-ishness of your body.  This is the beginning of practicing self-acceptance.  Any perfection thoughts need to be put on the shelf!
  • Be mindful about how you speak about your body. You can change the patterning of your thinking.  Drive in a new lane.  The Love Your Body Lane. Eventually your belief system changes when you drop the old thoughts.
  • Every person deserves to feel love.  And we are all different and unique in how we are configured.  Realize that norms are group beliefs. It really says nothing about you.  The more you move inward, you self-realized your essence.  Imagine what it would be like if we all could appreciate the different skins in which we live.
  • Question your thoughts.  Byron Kate,has great free worksheet for this in the website The Work 
  • Receiving bodywork can bring a whole new awareness to you body.In our society, so much emphasis is placed on what is going on inside of our heads.  However, we are whole people, body, mind and spirit. For example, Craniosacral Therapy is great for helping you to embody.
  • Meditation is a great way to open your mind about your body.  It gives you a sense of understanding through neutral listening and understanding.  It also opens up the path to compassion.
  • Exercise.  Find movement that is comfortable and fun. Even basic walking can make you feel better.
  • Choose foods that are healthy.  Maybe start a garden for herbs or fruits and vegetables.  We feel good when we partake in the organic processes which sustanin us.

When you are alone, take off the clothes and get comfortable in your skin.  Turn off your computers/phones/ and TVs.  Relax and Breathe.  Know Yourself!

Our culture makes it hard sometimes for people to accept and love your body.  Yet, we have many choice points to make up our own minds about how we related internally.  You are the Captain of Your Own Ship.  Sail the seas of Self-Love.  Learn to be Ok with who you are- body, feelings, thoughts and all.   

It’s not always each, but choosing change is a great intention.

With gratitude-

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com