5 Tips for Neck Pain Relief

by SharonHartnett | May 14, 2016 | craniosacral, Massage

Finding Neck Pain Relief

Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people come to my office, and it’s rarely just about the neck. Here are the tips I share most often with my clients.

1. Get Hands-On Bodywork

When your neck is bothering you, regular bodywork is part of taking care of yourself, not a luxury. Massage can ease muscle tension and help you feel more at ease in your body.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, light-touch approach that many clients find deeply relaxing. Using very light pressure at the head, neck, and sacrum, I help release tension in the surrounding tissues and support your body’s natural ability to settle into a calmer state. Many people with neck and shoulder tension tell me they leave feeling lighter and more relaxed. Craniosacral therapy is a complement to, not a replacement for, medical care.

Look for a licensed therapist with good reviews and training in the approach you want.

2. Try a Neck and Shoulder Relaxer

I’ve used Dr. Riter’s Real Ease with clients and on myself, and we all find it comfortable. It relaxes the neck muscles, and my whole body tends to follow. I have no financial connection to the product. See it on Amazon.

3. Look at the Whole Body, Including Your Hips

Neck pain doesn’t always start in the neck. Pelvic and spinal alignment can affect how your head and shoulders are held, and a healthy pelvic girdle and spine support a healthy neck. A chiropractor or other qualified provider, working together with soft tissue therapy, can help you improve your posture.

4. Fix Your Tech Posture

Almost every client who walks into my office these days has forward head posture. For every inch your head drifts forward, your neck muscles work harder to hold up its weight. Some simple fixes:

Raise your phone to eye level instead of bending over it
Prop up your laptop or monitor so the top of the screen is at eye level
Invest in an ergonomic chair and workstation
Take a movement break every 30 minutes

5. Choose the Right Pillow

Few things are worse than waking up with a stiff, painful neck. A supportive pillow that keeps your head level with your spine makes a big difference. I sleep on my back, and I found a good one at Brookstone, though there are many good brands. My chiropractor also recommended chiropractic pillows from Scrip-Hessco.

When to See a Doctor

Neck pain is common, but that doesn’t make it easier when it hurts. If your pain lasts more than a week or two despite heat or cold, see a physician. Seek care promptly if you have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms, pain after an injury, severe headaches, or fever with a stiff neck. Neck issues shouldn’t be ignored, so be proactive about your health.

Ready for relief? Book a massage or craniosacral therapy session in Columbus, Ohio.

Sharon Hartnett, LMT
📞 614-653-8111
🌐 www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

ADHD Help

by SharonHartnett | Mar 14, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, craniosacral, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit

The percentage of drugs that children take for ADHD has gone up dramatically.

I have no judgement about this. Physicians are doing what they can to help children who feel inattentive, high energy and are having a difficult time integrating into mainstream daily life. Medications can help. Maybe there are some more integrative treatments as well.

ADHD can be challenging. On top of the child’s own inherent challenges, they often can face rejection by other children, teachers and their community as well.

So what else can be done to help our children?

How about trying a more natural approach that will support the best qualities of your child to shine ?

Craniosacral Therapy has been able to help lots of kids with ADHD to calm down and feel more centered. Personally, there is nothing better than having a child get up off the table and give me a big hug because they finally have a sense of peace and balance. If we can encourage the child to lay down and receive the work, the Central Nervous System often will feel some huge shifts. By working with the brain, spine, and surrounding tissues, we can assist the cerebrospinal fluid to function optionally, allowing the CNS to do its work more efficiently.

When one’s mind is busy, one of the best experiences can be to relax and feel quiet.

Here are some benefits CST can provide:

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on technique that focuses on the craniosacral system—comprising the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It’s used to release tension and improve the functioning of the central nervous system. CST is often considered a complementary therapy and is sometimes suggested for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to help manage symptoms. While the evidence supporting its effectiveness for ADHD is limited and more research is needed, proponents believe that CST may help in the following ways:

1. Reducing Stress and Tension

Children with ADHD often experience heightened stress levels and may have difficulty relaxing. CST is thought to promote relaxation by gently releasing physical tension in the body, which could help improve emotional regulation and reduce hyperactivity.

2. Improving Focus and Attention

Some children with ADHD struggle with concentration and maintaining focus. CST may help improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord, which in theory could support cognitive function, leading to better focus, clarity, and overall mental performance.

3. Enhancing Emotional Regulation

Children with ADHD often have difficulties with emotional control, including impulsivity and difficulty managing frustration. CST may help by promoting a sense of calm and balance, possibly improving emotional regulation over time.

4. Promoting Better Sleep

Sleep disturbances are common in children with ADHD, and poor sleep can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. By supporting relaxation and reducing physical tension, CST may improve sleep quality, which in turn could help with mood, attention, and behavior during the day.

5. Supporting Sensory Integration

Children with ADHD sometimes have sensory processing issues, such as being oversensitive to certain stimuli or having difficulty filtering out irrelevant sensory input. CST is thought to help normalize sensory processing, which may improve how a child responds to stimuli and help with focus and behavioral regulation.

6. Increasing Overall Calm and Self-Regulation

CST’s gentle techniques might help a child feel more grounded, leading to improved self-regulation, which is often a challenge for children with ADHD. By working with the body’s natural rhythms and promoting balance, CST can support overall well-being.

7. Addressing Underlying Physical Tension

Many children with ADHD have been shown to have heightened muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and jaw. CST could help alleviate this physical tension, which may contribute to reduced anxiety and better mental and emotional functioning.

If you would like to try a Craniosacral Session, look at the Upledger site for a practitioner in your area. I’d recommend looking for someone who is certified to make sure they have a thorough understanding of the work.

If you have questions about how Craniosacral can help alleviate some of your child’s ADHD symptoms, I would love to chat.

For more information on ADHD:

Sharon Hartnett Craniosacral Therapist Columbus

614 653-8111

Serving the Columbus, Ohio Area

For information, go to my main page.

Post Concussion Syndrome Help with Craniosacral Therapy Columbus

by SharonHartnett | Mar 4, 2016 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, concussion, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage

Craniosacral Therapy

Post-Concussion Symptoms: When Recovery Takes Longer Than Expected

If symptoms linger for more than three months after a head injury, your physician may diagnose Post-Concussion Syndrome. Common symptoms include:

Dizziness
Insomnia
Fatigue
Irritability
Headaches, nausea, or memory and concentration problems
Just not feeling like yourself

If you’ve hit your head, get checked by a physician, even if the injury seems minor. Symptoms can last a long time when they go unaddressed. Seek emergency care right away for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, seizures, weakness or numbness, unusual drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.

How Craniosacral Therapy Fits In

Once you have a diagnosis and your doctor’s guidance, you may want to add supportive care. In my craniosacral therapy practice, I’ve worked with clients dealing with headaches, memory issues, nausea, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, and other day-to-day challenges. Many report feeling better within a few sessions, though every person and injury is different.

What a Session Looks Like

Interview and whole-body evaluation. I begin by learning about your injury and symptoms.
Rest first. I ask clients to wait at least 10 days after the injury before hands-on work, because early rest is essential to healing.
Listening hands. On the table, I use very light touch at different areas of the body to sense where tension is held and how the work should proceed.
A whole-body approach. Many people expect the whole session to focus on the head, but that hasn’t been my experience. After a fall or blow, tension can be pulled through the entire craniosacral system. If someone was knocked off their feet, for example, I may start by balancing the feet, pelvis, and especially the sacrum to prepare the body for work around the cranium. When the body below the head is working better, the work around the brain tends to go more smoothly.

Why Gentle Touch?

Craniosacral therapy uses very light pressure to release fascial restrictions and support the craniosacral system and central nervous system, with little or no discomfort. Most clients leave deeply relaxed and feeling more integrated. Craniosacral therapy complements, and does not replace, medical care.

Concussion Awareness Matters

Concussions have received growing attention, especially in youth sports. If you or someone you know has taken a blow to the head, see a physician promptly, since early care matters. An integrative approach that includes craniosacral therapy may help you feel clearer, more energized, and more like yourself.

Ready to explore gentle support for concussion recovery? Book a craniosacral therapy session in Columbus, Ohio.

Sharon Hartnett, CST, SI, LMT
📞 614-653-8111
🌐 www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

7 Reasons Why You Should Get Craniosacral Therapy

by SharonHartnett | Feb 20, 2016 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage

How Can Craniosacral Therapy Help You…

Simple and Easy: this is an easy way to release stress. When the mind and body can calm down and balance, the internal healing potential can do wonders.

Craniosacral Therapy

Just to name a few benefits:

Relieves Neck and Back Pain
Improves Range of Motion
Reduces Anxiety and May Help with Depression
Helps Resolve post-surgery adhesions
Boosts the immune system
Alleviates Fibromyalgia discomfort
Balances the spinal alignment with Scoliosis

Bonus: It can help with post-concussion symptoms!

Experiences vary from session to session. This light touch can bring about profound changes as it works directly with the Central Nervous System to balance. Clients may fall asleep, become very talkative, feel deep emotions that come to surface as the stress leaves the body.

CST can unleash your healing potential.

If you want to find a therapy that is gentle and effective to help you let go of tension, check out the Upledger Institute for a local practitioner near you.

FAQ Page

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Worthington, Ohio|Serving the Columbus Area

614 653-8111

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

A Great Way to Help with Plantar Fasciitis

by SharonHartnett | Jan 27, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage

plantar fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus, Ohio

When you wake up with stiffness or sharp heel pain the moment your feet hit the floor-of course you want it to heal, right? That is a classic sign of plantar fasciitis, and hands-on therapy can be a helpful part of getting relief.

What is plantar fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is a thick band of connective tissue running along the arch of your foot-to you wish this could get better? from the heel bone to the base of your toes. When it becomes irritated or overloaded, you may feel pain with your first steps in the morning, after sitting for a while, or when walking uphill. It can build gradually or strike suddenly.

Common contributors include excess body weight, high arches or flat feet, running, tight Achilles tendons, and shoes that don’t support your feet well.

How myofascial therapy and craniosacral work can help…

Fascia is meant to glide freely over the bones and muscles of the foot. Over time, poor posture and repeated stress can leave it twisted, rotated, or stuck to the surrounding tissue, which limits healthy movement.

In my Columbus practice, I combine myofascial therapy with craniosacral therapy to help the tissues of the foot soften and unwind, so the foot can move and align more naturally. Many clients notice meaningful changes. The work can be slow and gentle or firmer, depending on what your body needs. I adjust throughout the session by listening to what the fascia tells me.

What else helps…

Manual Therapy works best alongside:

Rest when needed
Supportive shoes with good arch support
Regular stretching of the calves, Achilles, and foot
Gentle exercises for the foot and ankle

Give it time

Plantar fasciitis often takes time to clear. The stress patterns behind it built up gradually, so lasting relief can take a series of sessions.

When to see a doctor

If your pain keeps getting worse, please see a physician for a proper diagnosis.

Book a session
Plantar fasciitis is just one of the conditions I help with. Learn more about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, Ohio or call to schedule.

Sharon Hartnett, LMT, CST, SI
(614) 653-8111

Located in the Village of Worthington
Serving the Columbus, Ohio area

Alleviating Neck Pain with Craniosacral Therapy

by SharonHartnett | Jan 23, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration

Have you been suffering from Neck Pain?

Whether you are experiencing neck pain from degenerative disk disease, an injury, osteoarthritis or bad posture, there is usually something you can do to help your condition.

Today, we are going to look at massage and bodywork as a way to treat neck pain. I think this is a relevant topic because millions of people in the US are faced with daily discomfort with their neck. Often the pain will go away by itself, but other times it may become severe enough that people will go seek a doctor’s help, often receiving a steroid injection. This may or may not help overall, but in conjunction with other modalities, there may be a more effective integrative approach.

Neck Pain?

Let’s start by talking about different types of pain. Acute pain is usually the result of the body saying to itself that it is injured. If you have been in an accident or hurt yourself in some way-time to go get this issue checked out with a physician right away. Even if it hurts a little, it can end up becoming a bigger problem later. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is long lasting. Pain signals are constantly firing in the nervous system with no relief. This can go on for a day, or continue into years. The most common types of longing last pain are in the back, next with headaches, and following that with the neck. Neck pain can be serious, and it is important to get it checked out-especially when one starts to feel tingling, numbness or pain down the arm into the hand. What these all have in common though, are that they are connected to the structure of the spine, the cranium and the surrounding soft tissues.

Fortunately, physicians like Dr. John Upledger understood the advantages of using a hands on therapy to help alleviate both acute and chronic pain. His modality of choice, Craniosacral Therapy, came from his background as a doctor of osteopathic medicine. He developed a protocol with different techniques to help therapists worldwide be able to address pain issues with a very gentle touch. We now call this Craniosacral Therapy. While the foundation of the work is based on working lightly with the Cranium and Spine, the work can improve overall functioning of the whole body. In regards to the neck in particular though, Dr. Upledger established a routine so to speak regarding the thoracic inlet, neck and cranium to release tension in that area. It’s called the Avenue of Expression because this of course is the area that connects the body to the head and allows us to fully express ourselves in relationship to others.

The Avenue of Expression when opened up can be life changing for a person. It helps one to find pain relief, open up the throat, the breath and the voice. First, we always begin by spending some time releasing any adhesions or restrictions along the dural tube. Once this is completed, we can take a look at the thoracic inlet which connects the root of the neck with the thorax. Many vital anatomical structures lie within this area. Just to name a few, there is the phrenic and vagus nerve entering the chest, subclavian and thoracic arteries, the T1 nerve room, supra pleural membranes, scalene, lamp channels and brachiocephalic artery and vein on the left side. We do a gentle pressing and releasing there that opens up the area so there is an increased flow between the head and the chest. Next we move on to the infra hyoid musculature, the hard palate and the supra hyoid area. There is more detail to this, but basically the work is designed to approach the avenue of expression in a way to promote flow, dialogue and interconnection. Often, after this is accomplished clients will find themselves also being able to verbally communicate better. When the tension in the throat and chest is released, it’s easier to have a brighter more integrated outlook in life.

If you have more questions about how Craniosacral Therapy can help you to find more balance, wellness and feeling good, please contact Sharon Hartnett.

FAQ Page

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Worthington, Ohio|Serving the Columbus Area

614 653-8111

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

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