614 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.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

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

 

 

Fascia: The Hands On Treatment that Changes Everything

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

703 509-1792

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

 

Craniosacral Therapy Worthington Ohio

Craniosacral Therapy Worthington Ohio

Open for Craniosacral Therapy Worthington

Sharon Hartnett CST-D (Craniosacral Therapist Diplomate through the Upledger Institute.)

703 509-1792

My new hours for this location: 6797 N. High St. #333 Worthington, Ohio are Tuesdays and Fridays.

I am so excited to be going into the city two times per week to serve my clients. Recently, a great opportunity arose where one of my friends who has a beautiful office, let me know that she is willing to share with me. So for all my clients driving out to Johnstown- this is your opportunity to schedule a time closer by, with less driving. For those of you who are currently looking for a Craniosacral Therapist in the Worthington area, here is your chance! Craniosacral Therapy Worthington- here we come!

To Celebrate:  I am offering a discounted rate for new clients at $125.00 for an hour during the month of October.

Craniosacral Therapist

Craniosacral Therapist

A bit about Craniosacral Therapy Worthington…

Craniosacral Therapy is great for most everyone.  This work is so gentle and yet profound. The focus is on working with the rhythm of the craniosacral system to look for and release restrictions that negatively impact the Central Nervous System. What I find the best results with are: trauma-releasing emotional blocks, back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, concussions and basically for decreasing stress. But I also have clients who enjoy experiencing more balance, vitality and overall better health after a few sessions.

I also offer myofascial therapy for structural issues.  I have been working with fascia for close to 30 years.

For more information, check out www.upledger.com

Check out my website at: www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Sharon Hartnett CST-D, LMT, SI, Hakomi, BHSP

703 509-1792

Better Posture with Myofascial Work

Better Posture with Myofascial Work

Do you want to find more balance and freedom in your body?

It all starts with a core muscle in the body called the Psoas Muscle. Better Posture is Possible at any Age.

This deep muscle is a connector between the torso and the leg. It originates in the lumbar vertebrae, crosses through the deep abdominal area until the it attaches to the smaller trochanter of the femur.  It’s influence over how you walk and move can not be overrated. When it is out of balance, it can negatively affect the spine, and contribute to lower back and pelvic pain.  Better posture is key to good health.

 

Finding better posture

Finding better posture

 

 

Often you won’t hear doctors talk about this muscle, but it really is one that ought not be ignored. One of the best things you can do is bring your awareness to this core muscle.   Why?  This muscle is often tight and interwoven functionally with fear, and the fight or flight response. If left overstimulated, it could lead to pain.  If you can find away to relax it, you’ll be surprise how much more effortless your movement will become.

Three things that you can do do relax it, and improve posture are:

  1. Yoga poses can help stretch and release the psoas muscle.
  2. Laying on your back with your knees up and feet on the ground,  while relaxing for 10-15 minutes a day can help wonders.
  3. Myofascial work and Craniosacral Therapy can relieve deep seated tension around the pelvis and lower back.  As the fascia contains the musculature and organs, therapeutic approaches could release restrictions and re-align the spine.

If you are looking for a better posture, look to the psoas and how you can bring more peace and quiet to this part of your body.

Sharon Hartnett LMT

Serving East of Columbus, Ohio

740 966-5153

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

www.upledger.com