Fascia: The Hands On Treatment that Changes Everything

by SharonHartnett | Jan 21, 2025 | better posture, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healthy, Healthy Body, Structural Integration, upledger institute

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

7 Ways That Craniosacral Therapy Has Helped My Clients Feel Better

by SharonHartnett | Jan 19, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, mindfulness, stillpoint

Craniosacral Therapy Benefits

Many people report positive experiences with craniosacral therapy (CST), although the reasons for these experiences can vary. The therapy is often described as being deeply relaxing, and some individuals find it helpful for conditions like headaches, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and even emotional release. Overall, Craniosacral Therapy is a unique holistic healing journey that holds many benefits.

Here are some of the most commonly reported positive experiences:

1. Deep Relaxation and Stress Relief

Many people find CST to be deeply calming. The gentle, hands-on approach, combined with the melding of the slow, rhythmic nature of the therapy, helps to activate the body’s relaxation response in the Nervous System.. This can lead to a reduction in stress, muscle tension, and a sense of overall well-being.
People often describe feeling more relaxed after a session, with some even reporting feeling “lighter and more spaceious inside” along with being more grounded.

2.Chronic Pain Relief

Some individuals with chronic pain conditions, such as neck pain, migraines, or back pain, have found relief through CST. The gentle listening and the quiet nudge of support of the Craniosacral System can help alleviate tension in the body and promote the relaxation of muscles and fascia.
Patients with headaches, particularly those caused by tension or stress, sometimes report fewer headaches or a reduction in intensity after CST sessions.

3. Improved Sleep

Many people say they experience better sleep after receiving CST, which could be related to the relaxation and stress reduction achieved during the session. Improved sleep quality may help individuals feel more rested and energized in the days following a treatment. Sleep time is when the brain clears, so it’s important to also create good sleeping habits.

4. Enhanced Emotional Well-being

Some people have reported emotional releases or breakthroughs during Somato-Emotional CST sessions. For instance, some might experience a surge of emotions or have a deeper sense of emotional clarity after a session. This could is related to the deep relaxation and the subtle bodywork when fascial tension leaves and the cranial rhythm comes to a stillpoint, which may help release pent-up tension or emotional blockages.
There are anecdotal reports of people feeling more emotionally balanced or having improved mood after CST, especially if they were struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional trauma.

5. Better Range in Mobility

For those with musculoskeletal issues, CST can help improve mobility and range of motion, particularly in areas where there is stiffness or restriction. People with conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or postural imbalances may notice improved flexibility or reduced stiffness after CST. Higher level Craniosacral Therapist who are trained in mouthwork can work through an Upledger protocol or listen and follow the tissues and the rhythm to unwind and come into a more neutral balance. It helps restore structural integrity in the cranium.

6. General Sense of Feeling Well

Proactive health is best! Even those without specific pain or medical concerns often report feeling an increased sense of well-being after CST. The treatment is described as calming and restorative, which might be why it is commonly sought out by people looking to simply relax or promote general health.

7. Support for Emotional and/or Physical Healing

CST has been reported by some as a helpful adjunct to traditional medical treatments, especially in cases of trauma recovery or long-term health challenges. Individuals with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have sometimes found CST to provide a supportive, calming influence in their healing process.

Why Do People Report These Positive Experiences?

It’s interesting. In the western medical system, there is not a strong understanding of fascia and the Craniosacral System. Some people deny it with the idea of the Placebo effect. Afterall, most Craniosacral Therapist are heart centered caring people who pay compassionate attention to their clients. Maybe this is part of it. But isn’t this true with most kinds of medical treatment and and medicines. It works for some people but not all. Integrative Craniosacral Therapy is an experience. However, it is based on real anatomy and physiology, just like any medical treatment. It’s just a hands on manual approach, which happens to be profound and far reaching. It’s very individualized as it supports your unique system to heal.

The Relaxation Response: The slow, gentle nature of CST can activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the rest-and-digest response. This can lead to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, helping people feel more relaxed and at ease.

Therapeutic Touch: Human touch, particularly when it’s gentle and non-invasive, can have profound psychological and physiological effects. The experience of being listened to and cared for, in combination with physical touch, might trigger a sense of healing or comfort. How many times in our past were our real needs met, and how do we change our body response to this type of connection?

Holistic Approach: CST emphasizes a holistic view of health, considering the interconnections between the body, mind, and emotions. This approach resonates with some people who feel that their health concerns are not only physical but also emotional or energetic. CST’s focus on balancing and restoring the body’s natural rhythms may appeal to those looking for a more integrated, whole-body form of healing. When we work 1:1 in Craniosacral Therapy, there is a special connection between the therapist and the nervous system of the person on the table. It’s a process of healing everything in us that is human. Everyting is indeed interconnected.

There are a lot of questions in the medical field about Craniosacral Therapy. In a system that is based on what we can see, and mostly on the physical level, it’s hard for people to imagine that listening to the body and helping it to self-correct is not realistic. Nonetheless, if you open your mind up, there are so many other possibilies in the Unknown. Why limit your beliefs about healing?

On a Realistic Note

Realistically, Craniosacral Therapy can feel magical. Deep transformation and healing happens quite often. At the same time, honestly some people don’t “get it”. It does take a certain ability and awareness to receive and to trust enough to sense the changes that are happening. Even still, as a therapist, we can feel things even if you can. But I want people to realize that while this work is profound, it takes a certain sensitivity to understand and know the benefits. However- most people feel more deeply relaxed and appreciate at the end of treatment.

If you have any more questions, I offer a free 15 phone consultation. I would love to speak and help you find if this is the right treatment for you.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111 or cell: 703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Unlocking Your Next Timeline: How to Shift Your Best Life Path

by SharonHartnett | Jan 18, 2025 | change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, healing, healthy, Healthy Body, Spiritual Healing, trauma

What is Jumping a Timeline?

How did this idea of a Jumping Timeline arise? This shift of consciousness is part of the Great Awakening. I have been in the world of Energy Healing for about 30 years. I came from a 4 dimensional Healing Model based on Barbara Brennan’s work in “Hands of Light” and also studied and taught at her school. Things have changed greatly in the last 30 years. Minds have opened. Reality has shifted dramatically.

At that time in the 1990’s, the Barbara Brennan School of Healing was a vital “transformer” of consciousness. Barbara brought many of the eastern principles to the West to open the portal for the change of consciousness. Time was spent on healingn oneself, and our relationships as well. Thousands of people across the globe went to her school to learn and to open up. Even now- being part of that Energy Capsule brings a great perspective of looking at healing in the physical, the auric field, the haric field and in the Core Start (Divine Indivuated You).

More recently though, I heard so much about “Jumping Timelines” and I noticed it showing up so much in spiritual discussions and in books. Well also on Tic Toc with the teaching of Bashar. Lots of younger people seem convinced that we can jump timelines by just imagining our best selves. Kind of like looking at a book with many chapters. With each chapter as one possible version of how things can be. When you skip to the other, reality shifts. This means your reality is fluid and can shift, creating new possibilities. This paradigm reminds me a bit of Joe Dispenza’s work of transformation into a new personality and a new life.

Personally, I am still grappling, not with the understanding from my POV, but that of what do these other people mean? Are they personally experiencing timeline shifts? What does that look like for these individuals?

Questions: For people, does it mean setting an intention? Does it mean visualizing and making a new choice? Is this about the multiverse and quantum physics? How much do we truly understand this? Even with AI… How much do our ordinary mindset’s open up to how vast the processing of consciousness and technology can be? We are in the midst of great change here on earth now. Do you feel it? Big changes within human consciousness and all of life is at a tipping point. Where will this take us?

I believe that all of this is fascinating. I stay so curious about all the possibilities. The smartest thing I know about myself is how much I “don’t know”. Life is about living in the mystery and living in the moment if we want to live fully.

At the same time, I just don’t think humanity is at a point where we can force our thinking to taking us to the next level. There are many levels of consciousness that need to align first. We need to find a way to free ourselves from attachment to the past, and fear of the future. I am not suggesting forgetting again, but integrating! To move to the next timeline means gaining clarity and find effortless in the new moment as Eckart Tolle teaches.

Instead, right now-I think we are living on a planet where there is deep duality still. There’s so much suffering, pain and trauma. It’s not yet easy to just flip the switch for most of us. Instead, I think this is the time to face ourselves, to accept who we are, and to move with grace. Yes, to imagining our “best” selves in the future, tapping into our wholesness. But living in the moment is where it all is.

I think it’s best to create an invitation in our mindset of the thinking about our “wholeness”. The things we care about or long for most likely live in a parallel universe, but that universe is HERE. Dealing with what we are creating, the responses to that and the all external environment.

For many years, Light Workers have been working and holding a space for growth and jumping timelines. The next generation are learning and awakening exponentially. In so many ways, they are moving so much quicker than we did. What took us years, takes them weeks spiritually to feel and to understand. Many are born with spiritual gifts. A great example are the children with autism who are non-verbal. You can learn about this at: The Telepathy Tapes. But still, we need to bridge the way even more. We can’t bypass the challenges to jump ahead. The passing of the baton is the way through transformation, transcendence and consciousness awakening.

How to Jump the Timeline

If we want to be jumping timeline it takes mindfulness, authenticity, effort and also stillness. It’s an invitation and a step forward.

Living Here is the way of Jumping Timeline. Be yourself. Choose love. Self-Discover your deepest wisdom. Have the willingness to be open to the Unknown. Make the commitment.

More than anything, realize it means feeling and knowing your shadow and your darkness. Being brave enough to walk through the fire to the Light. You can’t bypass your way into a better reality. However, you can make the move. It’s up to you.

Things are Happening

Right now, so many changes both in the Light and Dark are here. Love has come to awaken all of us. This is your chance to be Jumping Timelines, but what that means is making the best life for you right here, right now now, and seeing how that change ripples through the Universe.

If this Sounds Interesting to You

Let’s talk about where you are spiritually right now. Let’s set up a 15 minute free phone consultation to see if I can help lead you to your best version of yourself. If you want to feel that sense of empowerment to level up, I’d love to support you on your journey! Or- just share your thoughts here!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Brennan Healer and Teacher

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Find the Right Energy Healer Columbus

by SharonHartnett | Jan 17, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, grounding, healing

Energy Healer Columbus

If you were a client looking for an energy healer, maybe the best way you would likely approach the search is methodically, considering a blend of practical steps and personal intuition. Here’s how you might want to go about finding someone:

1. Identify My Needs and Preferences

Specific Healing Type of Energy Healer: I’d start by identifying what kind of healing I’m seeking. Energy healing encompasses many approaches, like Energy Healing from the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, Reiki, chakra balancing, Qi Gong, sound healing, or crystal healing. Understanding preferences (and any existing knowledge or experiences with energy work) would help narrow down the field.
Intentions for Healing: Whether I’m dealing with physical ailments, emotional blockages, spiritual growth, or stress management, having clear intentions helps in choosing the right practitioner. Each energy healer is unique and offers an individualized open path to support you.

2. Research Online and Ask for Recommendations

Online Search: I’d start by looking for energy healers in my area through search engines, social media, and websites that focus on holistic health. Websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, or specialized platforms like
Ask for Referrals: Word of mouth is powerful, so I’d ask friends, family, or other trusted individuals who might have worked with energy healers. Local communities or metaphysical shops might also offer recommendations.

3. Check Credentials and Experience

Qualifications: I would want to ensure the energy healer is qualified in the specific modality they’re offering. While certification and attending a professional school isn’t always required, it usually does indicate a level of training and expertise. There are various professional bodies or schools that offer training.
Experience: I’d look at how long they’ve been practicing, as experience can often make a big difference in effectiveness. Personal testimonials or reviews from other clients would also help me gauge their track record.

4. Evaluate Their Approach and Energy

Initial Consultation: I’d try to schedule a consultation or discovery call to get a feel for their approach. This would be a chance to ask questions about their healing methods, their philosophy, and what to expect during a session. It would also allow me to get a sense of their energy—whether I feel comfortable, understood, and aligned with their style.
Vibe Check: Healing is deeply personal, so I’d pay attention to how I feel around the practitioner. A sense of trust, openness, and safety is key. Energy healing is often an intuitive process, so if I don’t feel a connection during this first interaction, I’d look elsewhere.

5. Look for Specialization and Focus

Area of Expertise: Some energy healers specialize in certain areas, such as trauma healing, stress relief, chronic pain, or emotional clearing. Depending on what I’m looking for, I’d seek out someone with experience in my specific area of concern.
Holistic Approach: I might look for someone who integrates other aspects of healing—such as nutrition, meditation, or coaching—if I feel that could complement my healing journey.

6. Check Logistics and Practicalities

Location and Accessibility: If I’m looking for an in-person session, proximity would matter. If remote healing is available, that opens up more options.
Session Cost: I’d consider the cost of a session and ensure it fits my budget. Some practitioners offer sliding scale fees or package deals for multiple sessions, which might be helpful if I’m committing to a longer-term healing process. Healers can work for free, but some charge close to $1000.00 for a session.
Scheduling and Availability: Flexibility in scheduling and how soon I can get in would also play a part in my decision. Some practitioners may have long waitlists, and that’s a good indicator of their popularity and demand.

7. Trust My Intuition

Gut Feeling: After all the research, I’d trust my instincts. Energy work is deeply personal, and a healer-client relationship often hinges on mutual trust and comfort. If something feels off, I’d be open to trying a different practitioner.
Ongoing Feedback: After the first session, I’d check in with myself about how I feel. Energy healing often brings up emotional shifts or physical sensations, so assessing my experience and whether I feel a tangible benefit would help me decide whether to continue or seek someone else.

By combining a rational approach (research, qualifications, and practicalities) with personal intuition (trust, comfort, and feeling drawn to a healer), I would seek out someone who feels aligned with my healing journey, whether that’s through direct, in-person work or remote support.

If you would like to find out more about finding the best energy healer for you in the Columbus area, I’d be happy to set up a 15 minute consultation to see how we match up. I would love to support you in your process.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Brennan Energy Healer

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

614 653-8111

How to Change Your Posture with Somato Emotional Release

by SharonHartnett | Jan 2, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Healthy Body, mind body & spirit, move effortlessly, Structural Integration, upledger institute

Organizing Optimal Posture

Structural Integration, with an emphasis on posture, is based on the principle that the body is organized and held together in a coordinated, balanced manner. Any distortions in that order and/or balance can lead to physical and emotional discomfort. Fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs, plays a crucial role in this organization. When fascia becomes tight, scarred, or restricted due to poor posture, emotional stress, or injury, it can cause the body to lose its ability to move freely and efficiently.

Creating a healthier and more fluid Posture can be better facilitated by recognising the emotional aspect of Structure. At the core of Somato Emotional Release hands-on manual work, we consider holding the intention of using of physical touch to help a person to heal emotionally as well as physically. For many of us who have worked with clients for years, we recognize that the body stores emotional memories. The body often reflects our history and our choices. However, this can change with gentle and nourishing skillful touch.

Fortunately, some people are proactive and come in for help with their posture ahead of the game. These cases are often easier in terms of release and integration. Often though, discomfort or pain may be the leading reason someone seeks out help. Obviously, it’s always best to stay in front of the curve when possible. It’s the whole idea of treating simplity over complexity.

The Best situation for a client is when the therapist is Certified through their schooling. It ensures that they reach the top level of understanding of the anatomy, skills particular to a certain manual therapy, but also that they have learned how to support the emotional process. Because quite often people do have emotional releases when their posture is changing on a fascial level.

Emotions for some people can be a very vulnerable thing to express. Perhaps in their childhood or current relationships, there is judgment or lack of understanding. So it’s very helpful to find someone with specific training in dialoguing. Bodyworkers are not counselors, but they can and certainly do help their clients process, and find their own healing responses when trained.

Some things to look for in a Somato Emotional Release Therapist are:

A trusting and Safe Space
Neutrality
Certification ie. Upledger
Body Centered Emotional Training
An Understanding of Posture
An Ability to Listen and Work with Fascia
The Ability to Meld with the Tissues
Experience

If you are seeking out a Somato Emotional Release therapist to help free up and balance your posture, first call for an interview. It’s important to feel a bond of trust first and foremost. Then,as this type of manual therapy can help treat misalignment of the posture as well as letting go of stress and emotional baggage, ask questions upfront so that you can feel comfortable with your choice.

Processing unresolved emotional trauma can truly change how you feel in your body!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Choose the Best Craniosacral Therapist for You

by SharonHartnett | Dec 27, 2024 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, upledger institute

Looking for the Best Fitting Craniosacral Therapist for You?

Finding the best craniosacral therapist for you involves a few key steps. Here’s how you can go about it:

Ask people you trust who have experienced Craniosacral Therapy first hand for Recommendations. Craniosacral Therapy is a very personal experience, and word of mouth is very helpful.
Check Qualifications: Look for a craniosacral therapist who is certified by a reputable organization, like the Upledger Institute. The work of Dr. John has been being taught for close to 40 years because it is powerful and deeply healing. Certification through the school shows that a student has received proper manual and somaticemotional training, and can provide expertise to your session. A practitioner is still a student until they have gone through the rigorous training and testing to become Certified.
Read Reviews: Search online for craniosacral reviews or testimonials. Look for therapists with positive feedback, especially regarding the specific issues you’re hoping to address (e.g., pain, stress, injury recovery). Google is a great resource: Click here
Experience with Your Issues: Some therapists specialize in certain areas, like pain relief, trauma, or stress. Make sure the therapist has experience treating the kind of issue you’re dealing with.
Initial Consultation: Many therapists offer a free first telephone consultation. This gives you the chance to ask questions, gauge how comfortable you feel with them, and see if their approach resonates with you.
Trust Your Instincts: The relationship with your therapist is important. You should feel safe, comfortable, and listened to. If you don’t feel a connection, it’s okay to try someone else.

By following these steps, you’ll increase your chances of finding a therapist who is a good fit for your needs.

Your craniosacral therapist will naturally want the best fit for you too.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

www.upledger.com

« Older Entries

Next Entries »