What does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

by SharonHartnett | Jun 5, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, upledger institute

What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

Supporting the Body’s Innate Wisdom for Healing in Columbus, Ohio

People ask “what does Craniosacral Therapy do?” This is the best way I can think to describe it: Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on method that works with the body’s deeper wisdom to promote healing, balance, and well-being. Rooted in the understanding that structure and function are deeply connected, CST focuses on the craniosacral system and the fascia—the connective tissue that weaves the body together from head to toe.

When a skilled craniosacral therapist places their hands on the body, they’re not applying force. Instead, they’re listening. With highly trained sensitivity, they tune into the subtle rhythms and signals within the tissues, especially the fascia and the craniosacral rhythm—a gentle flow linked to cerebrospinal fluid movement. These rhythms reflect the state of the nervous system, and through them, the body communicates.

This light, intentional touch supports the body’s natural ability to self-correct. By working directly with the craniosacral system and the fascia, Craniosacral Therapy helps:

Balance the nervous system
Improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
Support better nutrient delivery and waste removal
Encourage smooth gliding between muscles, organs and joints
Release physical restrictions and tension
Reduce stress and promote deep relaxation
Allow emotional expression and integration
Enhance body awareness and connection to self

Fascia plays a key role here—it’s a network that connects all parts of the body, creating communication lines between organs, muscles, and systems. By freeing restrictions within this network, CST allows the body to restore movement, function, and harmony.

Ultimately, what does Craniosacral Therapy do: it helps the body move toward homeostasis—its natural state of balance. As motion and fluid flow improve, so does overall health. From relieving chronic pain to supporting emotional healing, CST offers a powerful yet subtle path for transformation.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

Find a Craniosacral Therapist Near Me

FAQ

What Should I Expect in a Craniosacral Therapy Session?

by SharonHartnett | Jun 3, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, fear, mind body & spirit, mindfulness

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus vs. head massage

What Should I Expect in a Craniosacral Therapy Session?

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re curious about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, Ohio, you have come to the right place. Many people are looking for natural and organic ways to feel better in their bodies—and craniosacral therapy (CST) offers a deeply relaxing and effective option. Some of the things that you can expect to have in a professional space:

A Neutral and Compassionate Space

This creates a safe therapeutic relationship with your Craniosacral Therapist—one that is compassionate, neutral, and professional.

Especially when fear is being held or recycled in the body, having a calm and peaceful therapeutic space and presence can help the nervous system settle. This sense of safety supports the mind in letting go and allows the body to begin healing more deeply.

A Gentle Yet Deep Experience

Craniosacral therapy uses very light touch to release tension in the nervous system. The body responds well because the approach is so gentle—it doesn’t resist the change, it welcomes it. This allows the healing to ripple through all systems in the body: muscular, skeletal, digestive, and emotional.

Many clients report feeling calm, centered, and more connected after just one session.

What Happens in a Session?

Sessions are typically 60–90 minutes, depending on the therapist. You’ll lie fully clothed on a comfortable treatment table. The practitioner uses gentle hand placements to encourage the release of restrictions and integration in the tissues, and to hold a space for embodied healing.

Because the body holds cellular memory, it’s not uncommon for emotions, images, or old thoughts to arise during or after a session. This is part of the body’s natural healing process. You can check into Somatoemotional Release to find out more.

Choosing the Right Craniosacral Therapist Matters

Not all craniosacral therapy is the same. Every practitioner brings a different level of training, experience, and personal approach to the table. Some may weave craniosacral work into other bodywork modalities, while others have made it the core of their practice through years of advanced study.

Before booking a session, take time to learn about a therapist’s background. Ask about their certifications, where they trained, and how long they’ve been practicing. For example, practitioners certified through the Upledger Institute have completed extensive hands-on education rooted in the foundational principles of this gentle, powerful work.

Because this is such subtle and deeply transformative therapy, finding the right match can make all the difference. Sometimes that means traveling a bit farther to work with someone whose approach truly resonates with your needs.

Your healing journey is personal—choose a therapist who brings presence, skill, and heart to the table.

Feel Better in Your Body

Clients often seek craniosacral therapy for chronic pain, stress, trauma, or simply a desire to feel more at ease. Over time, CST helps you feel more grounded, resilient, and balanced.

Looking for Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus, Ohio?
Reach out to a certified practitioner in your area to experience the value of feeling better in your body—gently and naturally.

If you are local to Columbus, Ohio, call:

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

FAQ

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work?

by SharonHartnett | Jun 3, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing

What is Craniosacral Therapy Columbus Ohio?

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work: A Gentle Approach to Deep Healing

By Sharon Hartnett, CST-D | Craniosacral Therapist in Worthington & Columbus, Ohio

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, headaches, or tension that won’t go away, you may want to consider Craniosacral Therapy (CST). This gentle but powerful bodywork helps your body release deep patterns of stress by working directly with the central nervous system.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a hands-on technique that uses light touch—often no more than the weight of a nickel. It works with the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes, bones, and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

The goal is to support your body’s ability to self-correct by relieving restrictions around the brain, spinal cord, and fascia (the body’s connective tissue).

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work in the Body?

A skilled CST therapist gently assesses the rhythm and movement of the craniosacral system, using techniques to encourage balance and release. Areas of focus often include:

Cranial bones and sutures (especially helpful for TMJ and headaches)
Spinal segments and sacrum (important for lower back and pelvic issues)
Fascial restrictions throughout the body
The dural tube (which protects your spinal cord)
The vagus nerve (key for calming the nervous system)
The diaphragm Release (opening the body)
10 step protocol (Using a structured listening plan and addressing key areas)

By enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and relieving pressure around the brainstem and nervous system, Craniosacral Therapy promotes deep relaxation, pain relief, and emotional release.

Who Can Benefit from CST?

Many people in Columbus and Worthington, Ohio come to craniosacral therapy for help with:

Chronic pain and tension
TMJ and jaw problems
Headaches and migraines
Anxiety and emotional stress
Post-surgical recovery
Trauma and PTSD
Digestive or pelvic issues

A Safe, Non-Invasive Therapy

Because it’s so gentle, CST is safe for people of all ages—from newborns to older adults. Each session is personalized and supportive of your body’s healing needs.

Ready to Experience Craniosacral Therapy in Worthington or Columbus?

With nearly 30 years of experience and the highest level of certification, I offer sessions that combine anatomical precision with compassionate care. If you’re looking for a natural, non-invasive way to reconnect with your body and release tension, I invite you to book a session today.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

FAQ Page

How Much Does Craniosacral Therapy Cost?

by SharonHartnett | May 31, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, trauma

Understanding the Value and Craniosacral Therapy Cost of a Session.

Craniosacral Therapy Cost Answered

CST is offered by a range of licensed professionals, including massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians. Pricing can vary depending on their level of training, experience, and location.

Highly trained craniosacral therapists—especially those certified through respected schools like the Upledger Institute—often dedicate many years to mastering this work. Many bring additional expertise in manual therapy or healthcare, which deepens the quality of care they provide.

When choosing a craniosacral therapist, it’s important to consider more than just cost. You’re investing in a practitioner’s education, clinical experience, and ability to hold a safe, skilled presence. Healing is personal, and it’s worth finding someone who has taken the time to study anatomy, refine their techniques, and truly support your body’s process. In this case, experience makes a difference.

Lastly, when it comes to your health, nobody counts more than yourself. You have a choice to be proactive and live with healthy body responses, and you also have a choice to come into Integrative Holistic care when your’e not feeling as well. More often when you choose the first, you’ll probably need to come in less often-getting tune ups. If you are feeling sick or experiencing chronic pain, there is more of a chance, coming in more frequently and longer-term would be the better option. A Craniosacral Therapist can’t diagnose, but once a session is completed, they can describe and give you a better picture what they are feeling, and make suggestions how they can help you.

The Main Cost Answer

The range of prices could be anywhere from about $60.00 for a student learning to about $250.00 based on experience and location. In the Columbus, Ohio area, I have seen prices range from about $90.00 to $175.00 per hour.

Craniosacral Therapy helps you connect with your own inner healing resources. Think how great it would be to mindfully take charge of your own life!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

FAQ Page

How to Take Care of Your Toes

by SharonHartnett | May 22, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, grounding

Let’s Talk Toes!

Today, I want to bring a little attention to a part of the body we often ignore: your toes!

They’re easy to take for granted, aren’t they? But these little digits do so much more than we realize. Without them, standing, walking, even balancing would be far more difficult. Your toes quietly support you every single day.

Here’s just a glimpse of what they do:

Help you balance
Push off the ground with every step
Absorb shock
Adapt to different surfaces
Support the arches of your feet

When we’re younger, toes are usually flexible and mobile. But over time, especially with certain shoes (yes, high heels—I’m looking at you!), they can stiffen or even conform to unnatural shapes. I’ve seen it with many clients. One woman’s feet eventually took on the shape of her heels after years of wearing them.

The truth is, how we stand, move, and hold ourselves all starts at the ground level—your feet. And when your toes are tight or misaligned, it affects everything above them. Your ankles, knees, hips, spine, and even your neck can be impacted.

So here’s my suggestion: spend a few minutes every day moving your toes.
Point. Flex. Curl. Spread them. Move them up, down, in, out. Let them explore.

Try lying on your back and using the wall to gently stretch your toes and feet into flexion and extension. Afterwards, give your toes a little traction—gently pull each one. It can bring immediate relief to tired feet and, believe it or not, even ease tension in your neck or help with headaches.

That’s the magic of fascia—it’s all connected. When your toes feel more alive, your whole body benefits. It makes a difference in how you move, how you rest, and how grounded you feel in the world.

Just because we’re aging doesn’t mean we have to give up flexibility or stability. We can choose to stay connected—mindfully, from the ground up. Grounding is important for keeping us healthy.

P.S. I love working with the Craniosacral rhythm of the toes. It’s subtle, powerful, and deeply renewing.

Cetified Diplomate Upledger at the Highest Level of Expertise in Columbus, Ohio

Warmly,
Sharon Hartnett CST-D? 614-653-8111
? www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps Your Nervous System heal from Chronic Stress

by SharonHartnett | May 22, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, Healthy Body, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, upledger institute

How Craniosacral Therapy helps the Nervous System

Your body has an innate intelligence which knows how to heal. But when stress is constant, your ability to function optimally decreases. Craniosacral Therapy can help the body get out of the fight-or-flight response that can occur after a stress overfload. By encouraging the parasympathetic system to shift louder so to speak, the body can create a space for self-repair.

My clients often report:

A noticeable release of jaw or neck and head tension
A sense of inner stillness and calm as the nervous system calms down.
Improved sleep and digestion
Fewer stress-related flare-ups
Deep relaxation throughout the whole mind and body.

Why Chronic Stress Needs a gentle approach

Stress is not taking space only in your head, but it affects the whole body as well. The tissues, the organs and all those miraculous things that keep you alive and well do better when they come into balance. Craniosacral Therapy is considerate, welcoming and the techniques are very supportive to good health. The nervous system has the chance to optimize and create harmony in the whole body.

Find Relief in Columbus, Ohio

At Lighten Up Therapies in Columbus, craniosacral therapy is offered with skill and care. Whether you’re living with long-term anxiety or just feel like your body needs a reset, CST can help restore your nervous system to feel a deeper sense of safety and ease.

Ready to reconnect with calm?

Contact Sharon Hartnett CST-D at 614 653-8111.

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

To find a Craniosacral Therapist anywhere in the world, check out the Upledger Institute.