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.

Nothing Exists Alone: Embracing Connection as a Path to Wholeness

by SharonHartnett | May 19, 2025 | change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, Healthy Body, mindfulness

Through mindfulness and the recognition that everything exists with connection, we begin to heal. Not just ourselves. But also our relationships in the world around us.

When we become mindful of how everything lives in connection, the universe shifts into a deeper mutual place of compassion. Truly discovering that we are not isolated objects is a powerful realization. That’s something we could all use just about now.

It’s not so simple that we are just individuals moving through separate experiences. From the breath we take to the words we speak, our lives are constantly woven into a larger web of interdependence. From the quantum level to how the butterfly effects of one choice changes everything.

I bring this up because as a Craniosacral Therapist, working in Columbus, Ohio, I find that awakening to the bigger picture brings about deep healing, growth and evolution.

Because we are so ingrained to believe in separatness and individuality, we forget that there is more richness in inter-dependence and mutual help and support. Yes, we have a sense of independence, but we are also here in mutuality and connection.

When I work with clients, often I feel that there seems to be a “part” that is dysfunctional. yet as my hands listen, and notice- the other fluids, tissues and systems come into play in the healing process. Nothing can heal in separation or parts. What seems like a problem is actually an expression of something waiting to change and move toward connection, Mostly, I manually wait for the deeper inner intelligence of the body to reconnect and remember the innate wholensss that lives in everything. Other times, the client may speak about past experiences of trauma that are ripe enough to heal. I trust whatever happens to bring the “pieces” back together into the present.

There is always more to us than we ever imagined. To self-realize and discover the value of reaching beyond is a compassionate and wise way to live and grow. Not only for our own personal journeys, but also knowing that each choice we make ripples across the Universe. We all matter. Everything we do counts. Being mindful changes everything.

To learn more about Mindfulness and Connection, check out: www.hakomi.com

To find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out: www.upledger.com

Sharon Hartnett CST-d

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Relieve Headache Pain with Craniosacral Therapy

by SharonHartnett | May 3, 2025 | concussion, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, upledger institute

Headache Pain Relief with Craniosacral Therapy

Find Headache Relief with an Upledger Certified Craniosacral Therapist…

Local Columbus Ohio Craniosacral Therapist: Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Experience Lasting Headache Relief with Craniosacral Therapy

Headaches can disrupt your day, leaving you reaching for painkillers and wondering if relief will ever come. Craniosacral therapy offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to headache relief by addressing the root causes of tension and imbalance. Rather than simply masking symptoms, this holistic headache treatment works with your body’s natural rhythms to restore balance, calm the nervous system, and reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a light-touch manual therapy that focuses on the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. During a session, a certified therapist uses subtle manipulations to:

Release tension around the head, neck, and spine
Enhance cerebrospinal fluid flow, supporting detoxification
Balance the central nervous system, reducing stress-triggered headaches

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps with Headaches

Tension Release
Many headaches stem from tight muscles and restricted connective tissue. CST gently eases tension around the cranial bones and surrounding fascia, alleviating pressure that contributes to headaches.
Stress Reduction
By promoting deep relaxation, Craniosacral Therapy for migraines helps reset your body’s stress response, calming the fight-or-flight reaction that can trigger chronic headaches.
Improved Fluid Dynamics
Optimizing cerebrospinal fluid circulation supports nutrient delivery and waste removal in the brain, which can reduce headache frequency and intensity naturally.

Why Choose Craniosacral Therapy for Headache Relief?

Safe & Non-Invasive: Perfect for all ages, including children and seniors
Drug-Free Pain Management: Avoid potential side effects of medications
Personalized Care: Treatments are tailored to your unique craniosacral rhythm
Long-Term Results: Many clients report lasting improvements in headache frequency and quality of life

Ready to Discover Natural Headache Relief?

Don’t let headaches hold you back. Schedule a craniosacral therapy session today and experience the difference of a truly holistic headache treatment. Your body already knows how to heal—let us help you unlock its potential.

Call Sharon Hartnett at 703 509-1792 for a Free Phone Consultation. Find out more about Craniosacral Therapy at: My home Page or The Upledger Institute

How to Feel Safe in Your Body: 5 Grounding Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Boost Well-Being

by SharonHartnett | May 3, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healing, Healthy Body, mindfulness

Body Awareness with Craniosacral Therapy

The Top Benefit:

The greatest benefit of feeling safe in your body is enhanced emotional regulation. When you cultivate a sense of bodily safety, healing happens!

It’s important that when you are choosing who to work with for somatic therapy, that you interview, and take your time. Trust your intuition, and ask plenty of questions. Your healing journey truly depends on having a person to trust, and with whom you feel safe when you are on the table.

Craniosacral Therapy, in itself, is a very comforting type of somatic therapy. It begins with being present, using proven technques, and listening and melding rather than manipulating. It offers the body an opportunity to self-correct and move into wellness.

Feeling safe can:

Reduce chronic stress and anxiety, as your nervous system shifts out of “fight-or-flight” mode
Increase resilience, enabling you to face life’s challenges with calm and clarity
Improve relationships, because you’re more present, compassionate, and able to listen deeply
Boost overall well-being, with better sleep, digestion, and energy levels

5 ways to Ground and feel more safe:

1. Stand Outside barefoot and feel how the earth supports you.

2. Mindfully breathe and notice the sensations in your body.

3. Exercise

4. Pat your body from feet to your head.

5. Eat and taste. Listen and hear the music of nature. Touch a tree!

It’s possible to re-build a sensation of “safe” inside again.

Upledger Craniosacral Therapy near me: Check out the Upledger Institute

Breath Freely again with an Upledger Certified Craniosacral Therapist’s kind touch!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How to Release Stress from Your Body: 10 Proven Techniques for Immediate Relief

by SharonHartnett | Mar 29, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, mind body & spirit, upledger institute

Finding Balance with the 10 step protocol: How Craniosacral Therapy Supports Nervous System Healing and give you Relief.

When healing from concussions, persistent headaches, migraines, or traumatic brain injuries, finding relief can feel like an endless journey. Craniosacral therapy offers a gentle yet powerful approach to supporting your nervous system’s natural healing process. Let me share how this subtle but effective technique may help you find the balance your body seeks.

Understanding Your Body’s Healing Rhythm

Your craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that surround your brain and spinal cord—has its own natural rhythm. After head trauma or neurological stress, this delicate system can become restricted, potentially contributing to ongoing symptoms and discomfort.

Craniosacral therapy works by using gentle touch—typically no more than the weight of a nickel—to detect and release these restrictions. By tuning into your body’s subtle rhythms, a skilled therapist helps restore flow and balance to your central nervous system.

Supporting Recovery from Head Injuries.

After a concussion or TBI, your brain needs optimal conditions to heal. The gentle nature of craniosacral therapy makes it particularly suitable for those with head injuries, where even slight pressure can sometimes trigger symptoms.

Many clients report improvements in several areas:

Reduced headache frequency and intensity
Decreased sensitivity to light and sound
Improved sleep quality
Enhanced mental clarity and focus
Reduced anxiety and stress responses

Breaking the Cycle of Migraines and Chronic Headaches

For those suffering from recurring migraines or tension headaches, craniosacral therapy addresses potential root causes rather than just managing symptoms. By releasing restrictions in the cranial bones, neck, and spine, this therapy helps reduce pressure on sensitive nerves and improves cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

The result? Many experience fewer headaches with less reliance on medication.

Creating Space for Healing to help you find Relief.

What makes craniosacral therapy unique is its respect for your body’s innate wisdom. Rather than forcing change, your therapist creates a safe environment where your nervous system can shift from “fight or flight” to “rest and repair” mode—essential for true healing to occur.

This gentle approach is particularly valuable for those whose systems are already overwhelmed by pain or trauma. The sessions themselves often provide immediate relief, with many clients reporting a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

Finding the Right Practitioner to help you have relief from pain and stress.

The effectiveness of craniosacral therapy depends significantly on your practitioner’s skill and experience, particularly when dealing with neurological conditions. Look for therapists with specialized training in treating concussions and neurological issues, and don’t hesitate to ask about their experience with your specific condition.

If you’re struggling with the effects of head trauma, persistent headaches, or migraines, consider adding craniosacral therapy to your recovery toolkit. This gentle approach might be the missing piece in your healing journey, helping your nervous system find its way back to balance and well-being.

How to find Pain Relief with Listening and Gentle Touch

by SharonHartnett | Mar 22, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, upledger institute

The Profound Benefits of Safe and Gentle Touch: A Craniosacral Perspective

First, lets begin with the concept that your Body is always listening. Touch is very informative and can be quite healing.

In a world that often moves too fast, where stress and disconnection have become the norm, the power of safe and gentle touch is profoundly healing. As a craniosacral therapist, I witness daily how subtle, nurturing touch can create profound positive shifts—not just in the body but in the mind and spirit as well.

Why Safe and Gentle Touch Matters

Touch is one of the first ways we experience connection as human beings. From infancy, we seek comfort, warmth, and reassurance through the gentle embrace of a caregiver. As we grow, touch continues to shape our nervous system, influencing our ability to feel safe, balanced, and present in the world.

Safe and gentle touch—such as that used in craniosacral therapy—engages the body’s innate healing intelligence. Dr. John Upledger calls this the Inner Wisdom. It communicates a sense of safety to the nervous system, helping to shift from states of stress and survival to deep relaxation and restoration.

The Science Behind Healing Touch

When we experience safe, non-invasive touch, several physiological responses occur:

Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System – Gentle touch signals the body to shift from fight-or-flight mode into rest-and-digest mode, reducing cortisol levels and promoting deep relaxation.
Release of Oxytocin – Sometimes called the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin fosters trust, emotional regulation, and feelings of security. Think of a mother holding her child with love.
Pain Reduction – Light touch stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin, which can decrease pain perception and enhance overall comfort. When touch is light, the body does not have to defend and the pain can just slip away.
Enhanced Circulation and Lymphatic Flow – Gentle touch supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, helping to reduce inflammation and improve immune function.
Balancing the Craniosacral Rhythm – In craniosacral therapy, delicate hands-on techniques support the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct and heal. This touch can be anywhere on the body as the rhythm can be felt globally through the fluids and the tissues.

Emotional and Spiritual Benefits of Gentle Touch

Beyond the physical benefits, safe touch fosters emotional well-being and deepens our connection to ourselves and others. Many people carry unprocessed emotions or trauma within the tissues and fluids of the body, often manifesting as tension, anxiety, or chronic pain. When touch is applied with intention, it can create a profound sense of being seen, held, and supported—sometimes in ways words cannot express.

This is especially important in a world where so many feel isolated. Safe touch reminds us that we are not alone, that we are worthy of care, and that healing happens in connection.

Bringing More Gentle Touch into Your Life

You don’t have to be a therapist to offer or receive the benefits of healing touch. Simple acts—like placing a hand on your heart, offering a mindful hug, or resting a hand on a loved one’s shoulder—can have a powerful impact. Also breathing slowly and deeply with mindful gentle touch can be soothing as well.

If you’re seeking a deeper experience of healing through touch, craniosacral therapy provides a safe, non-invasive approach that honors the body’s wisdom and innate ability to heal.

Your body is always listening. How will you speak to it today?