by SharonHartnett | Nov 18, 2017 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy
What will you feel during a Craniosacral Therapy Session?
Well, that really depends on the person. Because each person has a different sense of awareness of his or her body. In most cases, where people do mindfulness practice, yoga, some athletes, or massage often, they tend to have more of an idea of the subtle movements and structure of their bodies. But many people, don’t think to listen to their bodies honestly. This is probably just a cultural thing. In the US, it has not been a common practice to meditate and close our eyes with awareness to what is happening to us in a sensory proactive way. That is just the way it has been until more recently.
Craniosacral Therapy Session
In the last few decades, there have been more Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine training, and teaching lay people and other healthcare practitioners gentle ways to approach and listen to the body’s own inner healing abilities. Fortunately, one of them, a Dr. John Upledger decided that he wanted to get the very helpful and healing modality of Craniosacral Therapy (CST) out to as many people as possible. As such, there has been a big influence in promoting massage therapists to use what I consider to be a more mindful CST approach. Because when A Craniosacral Therapist listens to the body, we attune to the body’s intelligence response with a very light touch. With that, we also use intention and techniques that are able to bypass the body’s own defense system. Thus allowing us to have a conversation with the fundamental wisdom of the body. This is very different than effleurage, deep tissue, or swedish. And believe it or not the effects go deep and create long term healing. That is all because the body knows what to do, it just needs gentle support and encouragement.
In your Craniosacral Therapy Session, you will be fully clothed. And you will most likely feel held. Most clients gradually notice quiet changes going on throughout the body. Fascial restrictions will let go, and the energy flows better, circulation improves, and the Central Nervous System balances out. Often people who are high strung will start to relax. Many of my clients fall sleep. On the flip side, people who are lethargic or low energy, do the opposite- and pick up energy. Initially, most people feel more when they get the work done closer to the neck and the head, mainly because that is where their awareness is often. But it is also possible to feel the craniosacral rhythm in the feet as well. Over continual sessions, many people gain more insights into how their whole body works. That sense of body amnesia disappears. With awareness comes self-empowerment and the ability to make healthy choices. In the whole picture, clients feel more vital, alive, and pain free.
Sessions usually last between 45 -60 minutes on the table. But there are also 5 day intensives with organizations like Integrative Intentions. That group travels around the world and uses multiple hands on therapy with clients. I have been a primary therapist at these and have seen miraculous changes and shifts occur. Having a few therapists working on a client with others in a large room all day is quite transformational.
Craniosacral Therapy Sessions are for pretty much everyone. There are a few patients with contraindications who should talk to their physicians if they have medical issues.
If you have any questions, please call for a free 10 minute phone consultation.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D, LMT, SI
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Nov 10, 2017 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, upledger institute
Looking for an Upledger trained Craniosacral Therapist Columbus Ohio?
Craniosacral Therapist Columbus
To begin with, education and experience are key when you are looking for a Craniosacral Therapist Columbus. Why? Because your time and health are important, and so is how you spend your money. My hope is that you find the best Craniosacral Therapist Columbus to take you on a journey of healing into wellbeing.
Upledger Certified
I took my first class from the Upledger Institute in 2002. Since then I have been drawn to learning everything I can in regards to Craniosacral Therapy. And I am so grateful that Dr. John Upledger moved from Michigan to Florida one day many years ago to open up the Upledger Institute.
At that time, he decided to take his medical background and shared an innovate approach for hands on work that could be used by Massage Therapists, physicians, dentists, bodyworkers of all types of people, including lay people. The amount of therapists who attend classes at the school continues to grow, and expand around the globe.
My opinion of why this is such quality manual work is founded in the integrity of The Upledger Institute and its Certification process. It takes a huge commitment and love for Craniosacral Therapy work to excel and create the best healthy dynamics for the body to heal. Craniosacral Practitioners are just students until they quality through certification. It’s a rigorous process to learn the in depth techniques, anatomy and skills to become a Craniosacral Therapist Columbus.People who could once not find any helpful treatment heal. They grow and begin to look forward to life in a whole new way.
The techniques are also very gentle.Sometimes clients wonder at first if such a soft touch can do anything. Sometimes, with new clients, they don’t feel very much at the beginning. Because they are not tuned in to listening and feeling the subtle changes that occur. But the more time they give to receiving treatment, they always notice that they are feeling better. They may not be able to say that one stroke which may be found in a deep tissue massage was the shift, but they know that when they wake up everyday that their body feels better, and that their outlook is clearer and more upbeat. I can tell you why I think gentle work generates so much great change:
- The touch is light, so that the body does not fight against the touch.
- The Upledger Craniosacral Therapist is trained to listen to your Inner Wisdom, and allow that to run the session.
- Trust- while Craniosacral Therapy can support SomatoEmotional Work, an experienced Therapist will never tell you what to do, what to think or how to feel. We are trained to support your process to be organic and heard from a neutral place.
- For those of us who train up to the Diplomate Level, we are tested thoroughly on our knowledge and our practice. We have learned our anatomy, how to deepen our presence, and how to be available with techniques for our clients. Our tool box is at your disposal.
- There is something magical on so many levels between the gentle interchange between an Upledger Craniosacral Therapist and client. There are no words, just a loving and healing conversation that expands and heals.
I could go on an on. But if you are in the Columbus, Ohio area, and would like to find out more, please call me for a free 10 minute phone consultation. I would love to hear from you and see if we are a good match.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D, LMT, SI, BHSP, Hakomi Graduate, SPI Level 1
703 509 1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Oct 26, 2017 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy
Treating Neck Pain is something I do well.
One thing about Manual Therapists is that we tend to do the type of work that we like to receive. Relieving neck pain-I know a great deal about based on personal experience.
For me, I ran into my own challenges with severe arm and neck pain about six years ago. It was excruciating. My right arm felt like a constant charlie horse and nothing I could do made it feel better. It took about a month before my doctor got me into the right place to have it taken care of properly. Once I finally saw a neurosurgeon, he ordered me into surgery the next day. In my circumstance, I had a huge bone spur in my neck pressing against my nerve. My disc was a mess and needed to be replaced. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But more than that- I would rather hear that people be more proactive than I was and take better care of their necks as soon as they notice any restriction or problem. Healing hands can help wonders!
neck pain
Don’t wait too long! As you get older and continue to use unhealthy structural movement, the worst things can get.
What I do for people who are really in pain, is start with the sacrum. I want to make sure that the sacrum ( a triangular bone in the back between the hip bones) is moving well. I bet you didn’t know this, but all the bones in the body move in a constant flexion and extension motion based on the fluid circulating around the brain and the spine. Once a therapist learns how to listen this way, the rhythm can be felt anywhere in the body. The sacrum is connected through the spinal canal up to the cranium (the skull). The occiput which is on the bottom of the back of the head should be moving similarly to that of the sacrum. Once this motion is enhanced and moving nicely, we go to the neck.
A stiff neck or soreness can be approached either by gentle or deep work. Each person responds differently. What I suggest though is a series of work when clients are in a lot of pain. People might hope to get things resolved immediately, but that seldom happens in all honesty. It takes years to damage the body, and it takes time to heal in most cases. So while we can get a lot of great change on the first session, the client is actually looking at a real commitment to get better.
For me, this is one of my favorite types of work. Relieving Neck Pain. Today, one of my clients who has been coming in for years, felt really tight along the SCM muscle and Traps. I so enjoyed just holding and listening to the tissues. Feeling them softly let go layer by layer. The deep muscles began to feel more alive, and motion started to roll under my hands and fingers. I worked with both the muscles and the fascia. While also staying in contact with the Craniosacral Rhythm . She quietly made sounds of relief. There is nothing better than helping someone move out of pain for me anyway. It’s a great feeling being of service to another like that. A sacred experience of sorts.
If you have been feeling deep neck pain, and want to get better. Feel free to give me a 10 minute free phone consult. I have had much success helping me to restore their motion and rotation. And it is my pleasure to help where I can.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST-D, SI, BHSP, Hakomi Practioner
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
www.upledger.com
by SharonHartnett | Sep 3, 2017 | change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, Healthy Body, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, upledger institute
The Inner Wisdom of my body brought me into Presence…
God Bless Our Inner Wisdom. The intelligence Within is powerful. When I was younger, I found myself fascinated by the human body and how it works. At a later ripened aged Craniosacral Therapist, I now find myself even more intrigued. Never is there a dull moment when I get bored with what I do. This is because I continue to study, explore and keep my mind open to new things arising in relationships: The people with whom I work, The world of Science, Touch and Healing, and of course with the magic of bringing peace and balance into any given equation. This is important to me so I can be the best version of facilitator I can be to support my clients. My best teachers, of course, are the moments when I meld and grow with each person who is willing to take a chance to heal and to deepen into Self-Discovery. Quite the adventure.
During every session, presence grows as I listen and support the inner wisdom relationship between me and my clients.. My mind, body & spirit feel much more aligned and deeply connected due to the quality of work to which I aim. Why? Because I understand that each client is a gift to me, where we dance together in mutuality for the highest good, and where the intention is focused on waking up into knowing health and wholeness. My clients come back, because I stay in a neutral place of non-judgment, open to the possibilities of getting better. Whatever it takes… My commitment is strong and based in care and understanding. Not to mention, an array of tools learned throughout the years.
The human body
The human body
As a Licensed Manual Therapist, the emphasis of my work has been on Listening, Connection, & Using the Tools that I have learned. One of the places I learned my unique approach to healing was in my Hakomi training. Ron Kurtz, who founded the Hakomi work taught that Loving presence is an incredible supportive way to create a therapeutic relationship that is safe, accepting and gracious. For me, this means being very aware of Who I am in the moment, and listening to the information that is presented by the inner wisdom of my client. This can be expressed in the wave of a breathe, a sound, a facial expression or sometimes through talk. Dialogue happens on many different levels. Through my Upledger Training, I have also learned to trust the Inner Wisdom inside of each person. It guides me, shows me the way to release and uncover old traumas, defense patterns, and dysfunctional patterns. Much of the time, I use the Craniosacral Rhythm and its Significance Detector to lead me where the body wants to go. Believe it or not, your body knows what it needs and that information is available.
The people who benefit the most from organic and natural healing are those who open up to all possibilities. People who take a chance to step outside what they know into the Unknown. This means feeling deeply into the sensing body, feeling emotions, and exploring belief systems. Coming out of the shadow and entering into the Presence of NOW. For example, I had a client who had lost her baby. During our SomatoEmotional work, she continued felt her deep grief, and expressed the pain that she felt inside her body. The pain at her loss. I listened to what her body offered to show me. After a series of sessions, she moved much more freely and felt so much better. It is such a difficult thing to have to go through, but she found that going in and through her broken heart, that she could live easier on the other side.
What I have discovered is that the best healing work is not about analyzing or figuring out the problem. But rather, I have seen through my manual therapy approach that focusing on supporting this concept of the “Evolving Presence” takes us into more expansion and a felt presence of health and wellbeing. The more we are mindful, curious and neutral, the more clarity and truthful we become. And the Truth does set us free. All the Craniosaccral tools in the world don’t mean a thing without have a solid foundation in Presence. Trusting the Inner Wisdom matters most in every session.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Jul 18, 2017 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, healing, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, thought for the day
Today, I felt like writing an informal post about Hearts Meeting. A chat about how much I love my work. I am so fortunate that I get to wake up each day, loving my family, my home, and my interactions with life. It prepares me to be able to be in service in the work I chose. And I love working with people. Mostly because it opens my heart. And it opens other people’s hearts.
Hearts
In my work practice, I have clients come see me for a variety of reasons. Mostly people who are uncomfortable with something in life: their physical bodies, feelings, unclear thinking or relationships to the spiritual. I listen. I take in the story from a neutral place. And then I guide. My job is to facilitate the unfolding of my client’s own inner wisdom. For I am not actually the healer, but rather a facilitator of sorts. For over 25+ years, I have studied, worked and practiced healing techniques to help myself, those nearby whom I love, and my clients who want to connect with their Higher Purpose. People who want to feel at home in their bodies, their lives with heart and vitality. How I do that is by being Present with myself, my client and trusting the process of the energy dynamics. I center in my heart of hearts.
All of life has a stirring of energy. It lives throughout all of consciousness. I know this may sound a little far out for some. But I feel it in the presence of all living things. I feel it in myself, and especially when I connect from my heart to others. I may use energy healing, craniosacral therapy or Hakomi or such as tools, but what deeply matters is that we all are part of a sacred heart infinite web. Humanity is riding on just one small wave in the Universe, but everything is interconnected. We are interconnected. Yet we are also given this gift of discovering a sense of self. and while there may be many similarities between us, we each have a chance to write our own unique stories. In this, I find passion and heart. When I connect with my clients on the table, I love the brain and the body, but most of all-touching from my heart to another. It is so transformational and healing.
You don’t have to be a healer do this. We are all ordinary people, humble coming from the same Source. We all have the ability to heal the soul. It may appear otherwise, but the truth is that in the little things. we can make huge positive change. Choosing to love from your heart in any moment is a choice we can all make. Healing this planet, and all the people here is all about this and connecting to other hearts.
I finish now, with a heart full of gratitude for all my clients, as well as for the fullness in my life. And I wish you all the same.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D, SI, BHSP
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
www.barbarabrennan.com
by SharonHartnett | Mar 20, 2017 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit
A concussion is a traumatic type of brain injury that is impacted by some type of fall, blow or injury.
A concussion is not something to be taken lightly. I know. After treating many other people for concussions, I now am facing my own. I fell off my horse while landing on my buttocks and back, and also hit my head. Fortunately, I was wearing a good helmut. Since that time, I have rested quite a bit for the past two weeks, stopped most reading and writing, and took off even from the television for a bit. My doctor told me the best thing I could do is lay down in bed and close my eyes. I did the best I could, and it’s finally paying off. In the last few days, I have been applying some Craniosacral Therapy techniques to myself and have noticed an even better rate of improvement. Enough to think clearly and to write this short blog.
Fortunately, I did not lose consciousness, but I did lose my steadiness, and did get headaches for a while if I overdid it. I am so happy to be feeling better every day. Most people will fully recover from concussions, but others may not. Especially if there have been multiple incidents. So please take your health seriously. See a physician if you have any concerns that you have a concussion and make sure that self care is your priority.
Craniosaral with a focus on Glial Cells
Craniosaral with a focus on Glial Cells
Craniosaral for a Concussion with a focus on Glial Cells
I am in the process of setting up some appointment with a peer who does Craniosacral Therapy but also a therapist who knows how to focus on working with the glial cells. Why the glial cells? Lately, it has become increasingly better understood that the glial cells play a very important role in the functioning of the brain. In a class that I recently took from Tad Wanveer (an Upledger.com) therapist and teacher, I learned that through light biomechanics intention, dialogue and touch, that an experienced therapist can create wonderful improvements in how the brain works. The way that Tad explains this in his book, “Brain Stars, glia illuminating craniosacral therapy,” The Glia is more than glue. It is also plays an integral part in:
CNS development
Maintaining homeostasis
Supplying nutrients and oxygen
Synapse formation
healing injured neurons
sensory signaling
motor signaling
Cleansing of the CNS
Healing,
Production of the cerebrospinal fluid
Immune Response in the brain
Insulating
Flow regulation
Memory Processing
To destroy and Remove Waste
If the glia become over stressed or the environment in which they live- toxic, the CNS can be adversely toxic.
The good news is that the Glia can be touched and supported in a way that can repair and expedite the healing process.
As Tad says, ” Glial cells and neurons form and interdependent structural and functional system throughout the CNS that is fused with the Craniosacral System (CSS). This fusion ties place where glial cells attach to the pay matter membrane. The pain matter membrane in the innermost membrane layer of the CSS. It interconnects wit the other CSS membrane layers (meninges), and these layers connect to the bones of the cranium and spinal column. This bone to membrane to glial matrix is a dynamic biomechanical pathway CST practitioners cause use to help their clients correct nervous system dysfunction.”
In this class, I learned to touch into many parts of the brain and spinal cord. By listening and identifying through the different layers, one can come to appreciate the body’s innate ability to self-correct from a deep well of wisdom within. It is very possible to feel into structural and physiological restrictions and then to find a balance point for correction and to create better flow and drainage. In a more optimal environment, it is much easier for the brain and spine to heal.
It’s a bit ironic to me that my focus recently has been to work more and more with people who have concussions and TBI’s. And here I sit, healing with my own. But I feel very confident in the results I have had as a therapist with others, and also in my ability to work with myself, but also having incredible experiences from other therapists before. I know I am getting better, and this will resolve itself. I am back to working a light case load (craniosacral is not hard on the body or mind), and enjoying the miracles of interaction.
If you are feeling stressed about a concussion, please do take seriously that it is important to rest and heal. But I am here to tell you that there are some other integrative therapies that you docs may not know about. Craniosacral Therapy is an amazing hands on approach based on science, and experience that has helped countless others. At www.upledger.org you can see that the Upledger Institute has been helping football player to heal and feel better.
If you are local to the local Columbus area, and have a concussion, please give a call, and I am happy to offer a free 15 minute phone consult. Or look at www. upledger.com and find a Certified Therapist near you.
I can’t wait to get my hand’s on work ASAP!
Warmly,
Sharon Hartnett CST-D, LMT, SI, Brennan Healing Science
740 966-5153
