by SharonHartnett | Jun 10, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration, thought for the day
Carpal Tunnel Treatment in Columbus: A Holistic Approach
When clients come to me in Columbus looking for carpal tunnel treatment, most have already been told the same thing: the problem is a pinched nerve in the wrist that causes pain, tingling and numbness. That is true on one level. The median nerve runs through a narrow passage in the wrist, and when it is compressed, the hand lets you know. But in my years of hands-on work, I have found that the wrist is rarely the whole story. Shoulder and neck posture, tight fascia along the arm, and a ribcage that has lost its ease are often the main contributors. A holistic approach is usually needed if the problem does not go away on its own.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pain in the wrist, palm or fingers, sometimes traveling up the arm
- Tingling or “pins and needles,” especially in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Numbness that wakes you at night or shows up when you drive or hold a phone
- Weakness or dropping things
- Stiffness and swelling in the hand or wrist
Why the Wrist Is Only Part of the Story
The median nerve does not begin at the wrist. It starts in the neck, passes under the collarbone, through the shoulder, and down the arm before it ever reaches the carpal tunnel. Anywhere along that path, tight muscles or restricted fascia can irritate it. Hours at a keyboard, a rounded shoulder posture, an old injury, or simply holding tension in the neck can all add up. Repetitive movements are a big contributor, but so is the way the whole upper body is organized around those movements.
This is why rubbing the wrist or wearing a brace sometimes helps only a little. If the restriction is higher up, the nerve stays under pressure.
How I Work With Carpal Tunnel Symptoms
In my Worthington office, I look at the whole chain: the neck, the shoulder girdle and scapula, the ribcage, the upper arm, the forearm and finally the wrist and hand. Using Craniosacral Therapy and structural integration, I work gently with the fascia to help the tissue soften and the nerve find more room. Nothing is forced. The work is slow and listening, and many people are surprised at how much their wrist changes when their neck and shoulder let go.
Clients who stay with the work for a few sessions often notice a reduction in tingling and night-time numbness, and more ease in daily tasks. Results vary from person to person, and I will always tell you honestly what I am finding.
What You Can Do Right Away
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a gradual process. The smartest thing you can do is face it straight on when symptoms first appear. Rest the hand, stop or change the activities that aggravate it, and pay attention to how you sit and hold your shoulders. Mild cases sometimes resolve on their own in a couple of weeks. Working with a physical therapist and a licensed bodyworker can support that process and help the nervous system settle. If you also carry tension in your neck, my post on neck pain relief is a good place to start.
Please see your doctor if you have constant numbness, muscle wasting at the base of the thumb, or symptoms that are getting worse quickly. Bodywork is a complement to medical care, not a replacement for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can craniosacral therapy help carpal tunnel syndrome?
It can help many people, especially when neck, shoulder or fascial tension is adding to the pressure on the nerve. It is gentle, non-invasive, and works well alongside physical therapy or medical care.
How many sessions does carpal tunnel treatment take?
Many clients feel a change within the first two or three sessions. Longer-standing cases usually take more. We will talk about what you are noticing after each visit and adjust from there.
Is this a treatment for carpal tunnel surgery recovery?
Gentle bodywork can be a good support after surgery once your surgeon clears you for it, helping the scar tissue and surrounding fascia move freely again.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can take you out of work. Listen to your body when you notice the early signs. Being proactive is always easier than being reactive. If you would like to talk about carpal tunnel treatment in Columbus, call or text me for a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
Worthington, Ohio | Serving the Columbus Area
(614) 653-8111
craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Jun 6, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration
Does anyone know how to resolve TMJ and Clenching Problems?
I would really like to tell you that there is an easy fix for the pain in your jaw, but that isn’t always true. While some cases go away by themselves over time, others continue to get worst.
TMJ
TMJ is a disorder that can cause stress and pain to the temporomandibular joint and surrounding soft tissue.
With more that 15% of adults living with fascial pain, earaches and ringing, jaw pain and headaches, it may behoove the person suffering from this condition to try various methods to get the help they need. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms while opening, closing or moving your mouth, or while sleeping or awakening in the morning, you may be in need of some support to restore and rebalance the positioning of the head, neck and mouth in relationship to healthy postural alignment throughout the body:
- difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
- jaw pain while yawning or chewing.
- pain or ringing in the ear area.
- hearing and/or feeling popping or clicking sounds.
- headaches.
- tenderness around the teeth and gum areas.
- teeth grinding
- jaws get stuck or locked.
- any swelling in the face
These are all common symptoms of what is know as TMD (Temporal Mandibular Disorders).
With a background focused mostly in Structural Integration and Craniosacral Therapy, I have found 5 things that seem to help clients improve and resolve this condition.:
- Myofascial Structural Therapy to improve how the head rests over the body.
- Craniosacral Therapy to improve movement within the sutures and to create balance in the cranium.
- Stretching and Movement Exercises. Not only are neck exercises crucial for improving neck posture, but also the pelvis needs to be freed up and symmetry between the legs established in order to help self-correct TMD. Some great options would be yoga, Feldenkrais, Continuum, gyro tonics and free dancing.
- See a dentist for a bite appliance. However, from a bodyworker perspective, I suggest one for the lower teeth rather than the top which is usually recommended. Wearing any type of appliance on the top that restricts movement of the maxilla only inhibits healthy movement of the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Meditation to reduce stress. The Central Nervous System Stress can play a big factor in mouth disorders by creating tension in the musculature. Letting go of stressful beliefs through inquiry (www.the work.com) or something like breathing exercises or a walk through nature can be very helpful.
- Explore options with your pillow. If you sleep on your back, you don’t need one. However, if you sleep mostly on your side, there are some nice posturepedic options available.
- SomatoEmotional Release helps clients to feel deeply into their bodies and let go of unhealthy energy patterns of stress.
Three things to avoid: Chewing gum and holding your cellphone in your neck. Stop slouching and find length in your spine while reading or sitting at a computer.
If you are in the local Columbus Ohio area, or would like a free 15 minute phone consultation, please feel contact me.
Sharon Hartnett CST, LMT, SI
(614) 653-8111
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | May 1, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit
Neck Pain can occur for numerous reasons.
It could be the aftermath effect of an accident, poor postural strain, a pinched nerve or the result of an illness. Whatever the reason for your pain and discomfort, what matters most is finding the best method that will work to help alleviate your symptoms.
There are some basic things that you can do at home:
- Taking a warm epsom bath full of Magnesium Sulfate can help wonders.
- Put two tennis balls in a sock and place them on the back of the neck while lying on the ground. Relax.
- Place your hand on the back of your neck and press where it hurts. Stretch slowly and gently away in the areas that feels good. Overstreching could make it feel worst so listen to your body.
- Ask your sports trainer to give you some strength building exercises. Very important for long-term recovery.
- Breath and gently turn head in easy directions that are unusual. Various planes of motion benefit.
- Use a Stillpoint Inducer from Upledger for a minute or so, thereafter increasing time each day to help diminish pain.
- Buy a neck traction machine and use as needed.
- Eat healthy foods and exercise. Stay away from processed food and perhaps check in with a functional physician or nutritionist to make sure you are using food as medicine. Changing your diet can help fight against arthritis.
Neck Pain Relief
Things that you can do outside of this are:
- Find a good Physical Therapist who does manual work as well as giving you exercises.
- Swedish Massage helps with Circulation and Lymphatic Flow.
- Find a Structural Integration Therapist who works with posture and movement to help you getting better aligned.
- Craniosacral Therapy helps to relieve dysfunction along the spine and cranium, often helping to relieve pain symptoms.
- Chiorpractors vary in their methods as much as Massage Therapists. Ask questions and state what you want. Some can apply abrupt moves and others can manipulate much more gently.
- Myofascial Massage works with the muscles and the fascia primarily. By lengthening the layers releasing trigger points and knots, clients often feel much better.
- Sometime emotional issues needs to be expressed. Speak with a healer or counselor about what is going on in your life and work towards resolution.
Listening to your body and taking a holistic approach to health is your best option. If you are suffering from neck pain, take this opportunity to turn it around. There is no reason why you should neglect your self-care!
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI, Brennan Healer
(614) 653-8111
Columbus, Ohio
by SharonHartnett | Apr 16, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, Massage, mind body & spirit
What is Somato-Emotional Release (SER)?
SER begins with an atmosphere of trust, respect, and gentle touch.
Often when I work with clients for a period of time, long-held negative beliefs and residual trauma energy can start to come to surface. This may be a small gentle reminder of an uncomfortable feeling, a tear running down a cheek or a deep anxiety or stress that has energetically been frozen within the cells. We call this an “energy cyst from a Craniosacral Therapy perspective. The energy from the historic trauma isolates itself as a compensation but it not entirely let go.
The Upledger Craniosacral approach to working with Somato-Emotional Release involves a very natural type of presence and touch into the Cranosacral system that supports the process of releasing old trauma’s such as: car accidents, PTSD, warfare, violence, divorce or any type of experience that feels overwhelming. If the cycle of feelings does not complete itself, it remains until given the opportunity to heal. By dialoguing with the Craniosacral System, the true intelligence within will lead the way to self-correct into health and wellbeing. Craniosacral Therapy is a professional therapeutic modality that balances, restore and brings greater awareness to clients.
Craniosacral Columbus
The old painful messages melt away and give way to the Present moment.
By taking the road of self-discovery with CST, new awareness will help you to make better choices in your life with more clarity and heart. Bringing the physical, feelings, beliefs and heart into coherence opens the door to health and wellbeing.
Sharon Hartnett Craniosacral Therapist Columbus
614 653-8111
Serving the Columbus, Ohio Area
For information, go to my main page.
by SharonHartnett | Dec 12, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Knee injury is one of the most common sports related reasons that bring patients to the doctors office.
knee injury
Be proactive if you feel any pain, notice popping sounds, see any swelling or can’t walk properly. It is important that you don’t put off getting the proper treatment for knee injury if you want to avoid long-term negative repercussions. If you are fortunate, with your physician’s recommendation, you can apply basic first aid, and take some Ibuprofen and everything will heal nicely. However, you don’t have to stop there. Structural Integration with its fascial massage can be very helpful in alleviating any stress around the knee, the quads, and the hamstrings. This can be done for minor ailments, or once your doctor recommends if surgery if needed. The body is miraculous at healing itself. However, the new tissue that is laid is not going to give you the same mobility you once had in many cases unless the fascia is spread, balanced and lengthens, allowing for more natural alignment.
If you are interested in playing sports and performing to your optimal level, Structural Integration can be very helpful in supporting you to relate movement to your activities with higher performance.
Working with the fascia can be done starting with the superficial layers to help ease the pain around the joint. As the work is deepened, it unlocks habitual patterns, and also those that resulted from the injuries. Often clients feel the positive effects from doing a series of session more than with other types of basic massage. That is because the adhesions and rotations, once they are released, stay that way, allowing for more freedom and flexibility.
If you have had a knee injury and are looking for a therapy that can make a difference, call Sharon Hartnett LMT at (614) 653-8111 in Columbus, Ohio.
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Dec 10, 2014 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit
Curious about how many healing sessions you need to resolve pain issues?
Well, the truth is no healer or therapist can give you that answer if they are being honest.
What we can offer is that we will use whatever tools and compassion we have to help you along on your journey back to health. And if you are looking for the best massage therapist, healer, health coach that can help you to re-connect to that force inside of you that can shift things toward wellbeing, the best thing you can do is interview, try new healing modalities, and make a commitment to stay with your own process as you learn from each relationship and experience.
Healing
When you interview possible massage therapists, the first thing you want to do is check in with your own intuition to see if you feel comfortable with yourself when you meet. If his/her presence sets the space as a comforting and an honest environment for you to open up, then that is a good indication. Next, it is important that you feel like your needs are really heard. Some therapists have routines and just do their thing. It is much more helpful to clients if each session is set up as a unique and moment-to-moment type of therapy. That way the dialogue between you and the therapist is based on the body’s own wisdom to self-correct through positive intervention. On the same note, in regards to communication, let your therapist know what pressure works best for you. Often the body will say one thing, but the ego has a completely different itinerary. Both of these need to be alignment for the best results. Lastly, look online for testimonials and google reviews. There is a huge difference between beginner practitioners and people will experience. You do actually pay for what you get for the most part when it comes to massage and healing. This is not to say that you won’t receive a good session from someone right out of school, but they won’t hold the same depth and width of hands on experience.
I have lots of clients who tell me that they have tried everything and nothing works. Well- that can be a challenge if the client doesn’t learn and see the benefits of each interaction. What I can say is that if you are in pain, that is your body or spirit telling you that something needs to change and your own system doesn’t have the answer yet. With this said, the history in the biology has often taken a lot of time to go awry, it takes time to work through restrictions, compensations and such before getting to the Source sometimes. Open your mind to new things. Allow yourself to trust your intuition and the people you work with. With time and patience, and good work- things can and often do change toward the positive.
Stay committed to your healing process. Nobody can fix you, but plenty of people and life itself will help you to heal. Dance in the new relationships you make, and don’t let anything or anyone take you off course from yourself.
Pain is an indicator that lets you know that something needs to change. Trust what is being created and let go of what you no longer need. Whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual- with positive intention- you can find your way back to Source.
Sharon Hartnett LMT
(614) 372-6598
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
