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

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

Learn more about my Energy Healing sessions in Columbus

614 653-8111

How to Calm Your Mind

by SharonHartnett | Dec 30, 2024 | Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, stillpoint

To Calm the mind is essential for both mental and physical well-being. Fortunately you have come to the right place to discover a dynamic person to person modality that can help you feel more centered and at peace.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST)is a gentle hands on modality, which awakens the calm inside, through listening and melding with your Craniosacral System. By tapping into your own internal intelligence, CST helps to bring balance and deep relaxation into your life. Finding the stillpoint in your rhythm releases, and helps integrate your stresses- bringing you into a more peaceful state of being.

How can Craniosacral Therapy Help You to Live from a Calm State? It:

1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

When the mind is calm, it helps to lower the levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By calming your mind, you create space for a sense of peace and relaxation, which can significantly reduce anxiety levels and improve overall emotional health.

2. Improves Focus and Clarity

A cluttered mind often leads to scattered thoughts, making it difficult to concentrate or make decisions. To calm the mind helps clear out distractions and promotes mental clarity, enabling you to focus better on tasks, think more effectively, and make decisions with greater ease.

3. Enhances Emotional Regulation

When your mind is calm, you’re better equipped to handle difficult emotions. Instead of reacting impulsively or being overwhelmed by emotions like anger or frustration, a calm mind allows you to respond thoughtfully and with control, leading to healthier interactions and relationships.

4. Boosts Physical Health

Chronic mental tension can manifest in physical ailments such as headaches, muscle tension, or digestive problems. By calming the mind, you help reduce the impact of stress on your body, which can lead to improved sleep, better immune function, and overall physical health. You feel more deeply grounded and embodied.

5. Increases Creativity

When the mind is relaxed, it becomes more open to creative ideas and inspiration. Mental calmness reduces the mental barriers and judgment that can stifle creativity, allowing new ideas and solutions to emerge naturally. It creates a fertile ground for innovation and problem-solving.

6. Promotes Mindfulness and Presence

A peaceful mind fosters mindfulness, which is the practice of being fully present in the moment. This enhances your ability to enjoy life, engage in meaningful experiences, and build stronger connections with others. It helps you savor the simple joys of life and reduces the tendency to dwell on past regrets or future worries.

7. Supports Mental Resilience

A relaxed mind is a strong foundation for mental resilience. By practicing mindfulness or calming techniques, you build the mental fortitude to face challenges with a clear perspective. When your mind is calm, you’re more able to adapt to difficult situations, stay grounded, and maintain emotional balance, even in times of adversity.

In summary, Craniosacral Therapy is such a gentle, yet profound pathway to calming the mind. The benefits are numerous. It isn’t just about relaxation—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing your overall well-being, improving relationships, and fostering long-term mental and physical health.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

Serving the Columbus Ohio area.

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.

What is Something New You Learned about Yourself Lately?

by SharonHartnett | Dec 27, 2024 | change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, healthy, mind body & spirit, trauma, upledger institute

Awakening Yourself

To Awaken to yourself is the most powerful thing you can do. Feeling confident about your life, and the choices you make shape everything. Unburdening yourself from limitations is freeing.

Often people who come in for Craniosacral Therapy can feel stressed, a bit lost, anxious, or in pain. Something feels off, and the person may not understand why they feel the way they do. Maybe there are pieces under the level of consciousness- stored in the cellular memory. Working through the mind body connection can be quite powerful.

Craniosacral can help ground you more firmly into your life.

Working with a Craniosacral Therapist can shift everything. Some of the ways this can happen in a session are:

1. Presence: The holding of neutral space creates trust and safety.

2. Respecting boundaries helps define you and your comfort level.

3. Craniosacral Therapy taps into the Craniosacral System which nourishes and keeps the Nervous System Healthier and in balance.

4. Certified Techniques and Skill level can release and help integrate old wounding and trauma. This makes space for potential awakening to knowing oneself more deeply. it can bring more meaning to life.

5. An Experienced Craniosacral Therapist supports the Awakening Process by training with open dialogue which is centered on Self-Discovery. Ask about SomatoEmotional Release Work.

Craniosacral Therapy takes an Osteopathic approach to manual therapy. It focuses on trusting your body to find the internal discovery and healing processes within.

If you feel you have tried so many things but nothing helps, giving Craniosacral Therapy a change may help shift you into a Light Awakening. It’s so gentle, yet profound.

One of the best things that you can learn about yourself is Self-Empowerment through curiosity, and sensing into your own body and sense of Self.

What have you learned about yourself and what can help you move forward as you continue to open up?

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

SomatoEmotional Release Therapy Certified through Upledger

614 653-8111

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.

Columbus, Ohio Area.

Remembering Your Life Purpose: Craniosacral Therapy

by SharonHartnett | Nov 23, 2024 | change, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, healthy, meditation, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, move effortlessly

Find Your Life Purpose

Looking for a way to find a meaningful purpose in your life? Before you can set your intention and organize, you have to figure out your passion! Here are three things to consider which can help you deepen into clarity:

1. Ask yourself what brought you joy when your were little? Not necessarily your best talents, but instead-the things that brought a smile to your face. On a soul level, right from the start we know what lights us up. Until maybe someone perhaps tried to steer you off course based on their point of view. Take some time to meditate and remember who You are. You were born with an internal roadmap for self-discovery and purpose. Now you need to discard anything that stops you from knowing your true Self.

2. Craniosacral Therapy can help. Often in life, we get distracted with all the other paths put before us. We are told many stories, and pulled in so many directions. Sometimes, we forget what matters most to us. Reconnect to Yourself.

If you want to get grounded and feel more embodied, one helpful option is receiving Craniosacral Therapy. Many clients who come into my practice are stressed. Often I see people who are neurodivergent thinkers. Some are feeling lost, living with constant anxiety, and feeling stuck in learned limited belief systems which can rev up the nervous system. In vulnerable times, another “listening” support system can facilitate change and healing.

Craniosacral Therapy is very helpful in bringing health and balance to the mind, body and spirit connection. For people feeling anxious and overwhelmed, they usually end up feeling much calmer after a session. For those who are stuck or noticing “ftozen blocks, this work can help mobilize and bring more flow into life.

Craniosacral Therapy is a safe and nurturing manual therapy. In the higher levels of training, we are trained to support trauma release and integration of detrimental cellular memory. We create sacred space for your body to inform us what is needed in the moment to move onward with more harmony and clarity. Knowing yourself naturally awakens your purpose and calling.

3. Gather resources and take action. How you decide to live in your passion is up to you. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else. Your uniqueness and special creativity is meant for you to fly. It’s all about getting aligned with your energy to build the life that brings meaning and purpose to your soul. Life is too short to live any other way.

Through life, we go through many different transitions. Being mildful and in healthy relationships brings ease as we move from one experience into another..Especially when your relationship to yourself is strong, clear and unfolding in a way that awakens your true longing.

You came here to share your gifts with great purpose!

Sharon Hartnett

614 653-8111

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.

How to Move Effortlessly Through Life

by SharonHartnett | Sep 28, 2024 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, move effortlessly

Grounding: Move Effortlessly with Grace

Move Effortlessly. It’s easy to escape the moment. To not be fully present. The mind easily wanders into the past with regrets and guilt. Undoubtably it moves forward with worry and anticipation as well. This is to be human.

However, what if there is a way to engage with life more deeply and fully?

I was reading FB today and came across a beautiful post about grounding. I feel it’s so important to connect to the earth. She supports us and nourishes us continuously. We are made of the earth, and she lives within all that we are. So I am including this writing by “Lowen” to share here. Let go of your burdens my friends… Discover Your Human Body.

Lowen is credited with coining the word “grounding” in the physiological and psychological sense and emphasizing it’s importance in human development. I believe it has now become a term widely understood (if not precisely understood) in the broader pop culture.

“Once he is grounded, a person no longer holds himself up but allows the ground to support him. By coming down to earth, he finds that his blood pressure also drops. But effecting that kind of change requires a commitment to the body and to a way of life that respects the body and it’s needs.

Unfortunately, our culture is moving away from the body as the source of feeling and spirituality. Our fitness programs are not designed to enhance the sensitivity of the body but to hone it as if it were a machine. In so doing, they produce people who are fit only to run the race of life. I suppose that if reaching the top is one’s goal in life, our modern-day fitness programs may help. But if one’s goal is to experience the joy of being fully alive, the excitement of feeling part of this pulsating universe, and the deep satisfaction of being a person who is both graceful and gracious, one must turn elsewhere.

When I was a young man, being “earthy” was regarded as a virtue. I never hear anyone descibed that way anymore. Has the quality of having one’s feet on the ground lost its meaning? I believe it has. The modern individual is more properly described as “flying high and fast”. It is hard to slow down when the world is racing by. It is difficult to be grounded when the culture itself is ungrounded, when it denies reality and promotes an illusion that success represents a higher state of being and successful people live richer and more fulfilling lives. All the same, the real values of life are “earthy” values: health, gracefulness, connectedness, pleasure and love. But these values have meaning only if one’s feet are planted firmly on the ground.”

– Alexander Lowen from The Spirituality of the Body

To Move Effortlessly is freedom and Joy

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out my main page.