Better Posture with Myofascial Work

by SharonHartnett | Sep 21, 2016 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, better posture, Craniosacral Therapy

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

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:

Yoga poses can help stretch and release the psoas muscle.
Laying on your back with your knees up and feet on the ground, while relaxing for 10-15 minutes a day can help wonders.
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

Rolfing and Structural Integration in Columbus Ohio

by SharonHartnett | Nov 4, 2013 | better posture, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration

Lately I have been getting calls asking if Structural Integration (SI) work is the same thing as Rolfing®.

So in order to clarify this, I have decided to write a short post on the subject. I hope this helps.

The Rolf Institute for Structural Integration

The Rolf Institute® blossomed as Dr. Rolf’s students began to branch out her work into the community and eventually throughout world. The original pioneers of this work called themselves, “Rolfers®”. The school and all its teachers did a great thing in expanding her education and healing work outward.

As with most types of bodywork however, the work began to evolve and different practitioners created their own new approaches to her foundational template. The next generation of Structural Integration Therapist. Thus, the spread of this craft based on fascial work sprouted new wings and took off in different directions.

Currently, there are many schools, some who keep with the original 10 series as Dr. Ida Rolf taught, and others with different formulas. These new practitioners call themselves “Structural Integration” Therapists because they attended the newer schools Also, the “Rolf®” name belongs to the Institute. But- what is similar is that all Structural Integration is originated from the original 10 series. The goal is to create better structural alignment and functioning and ease of movement for the clients.

Ida Rolf’s teaching

She found much success in this Structural Integration work because of the its wonderful ability to re-organize the connective tissues in the body which envelopes and contains all the working muscles, organs and just about everything within. Dr. Rolf established her 10 series “recipe” to be the foundation of this work to address the body from a superficial level to down deep in the core of the body. By focusing on a certain area of the body each session, the body learned how to let go of certain dysfunctional patterns from one week to the other, until they whole body began to relate to itself in a very new way without the habitual stresses from before. This is the whole of integration.

At Lighten Up Therapies in Columbus Ohio and Johnstown, Sharon Hartnett practices Structural Alignment with the basic 10 series as originally taught by Dr. Ida Rolf. She works with the same idea of moving from superficial to deeper, but now with a lighter touch. Communication is key with an ongoing dialogue to make sure the client is comfortable and able to move through the changes well. Connective Tissue massage (fascial work) is beneficial too and may be requested also in hourly sessions. It’s also helpful for people who want to continue their manual therapy on a regular basis.

There are different schools out there and “fascial” work seems to have taken root and is now being taught in regular massage schools. If you are interested though in the “original” series, make sure you ask to see if the work is the same. There are many Structural Integration Practitioners such as Sharon who have not veered off the original intent and have helped clients discover positive change. Dr. Ida Rolf created her work a certain way based on years of experience with great results. The recipe works!

Wishing you the best of finding the best Structural Integration Therapist for you in your area

* This is based on my opinion after conversations with other Structural Integrations who have studied at a variety of schools. If there are other opinions, please add to my blog.

Warmly, Sharon Hartnett CST-d

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

703 509-1792