Somatic Touch with Intention Creates a Unique Environment for Healing|CST

by SharonHartnett | Apr 6, 2026 | change, Craniosacral Therapy, Healthy Body, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, Traum Informed Therapy, upledger institute

Trusting Your Body Again

By Sharon Hartnett, Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist, Worthington — serving the Columbus, Ohio area

Healing is all about receiving gentle, caring input into a system that has been disrupted.

We’re animals with highly complex, centralized brains and spinal cords. As humans we have the added benefit of myelinated axons for fast transmission of information from brain to body and body to brain. Electrical impulses, when strong enough, carry that information with the help of chemical neurotransmitters to the axon terminals. We are superhighways of light and frequency, processing all the time. Our brains and spines stay very busy in response. Given the right circumstances, they can be switched back on to speed the healing process.

When we run into pain or trauma, this efficient system often breaks down — the sympathetic nervous system over-activates and the parasympathetic is held back. That can lead to intense anxiety, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, exhaustion, and structural brain changes that favor a fear response over logical, present-moment processing.

When a threat is overwhelming, the nervous system may shut down altogether. That brings numbness, dissociation (detachment from the body and emotions), and feelings of being trapped or powerless. The brain can lose its ability to regulate emotion well. I write more about trauma-informed, body-centered healing on its own page.

This is why craniosacral therapy takes such a gentle, patient approach. Using very light touch and specific techniques, we rebuild a deeply trusting relationship with the body. The signals that were shut down or stuck in patterns of dysregulation can be reprogrammed, so to speak, by restoring trust in the mind-body connection. By correcting restrictions and blockages, craniosacral therapy supports the natural, rhythmic flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spinal cord, delivers nutrients, and removes waste. I explain the mechanics in What Does Craniosacral Therapy Do?

The best way to free up and nourish the body is presence, in a non-invasive approach. We want to normalize the mind-body through its own inner intelligence by creating a safe environment to relax, de-stress, and come back to Self with ease. Our bodies most often know what needs to be done, and they change accordingly once they shift from fear to ease.

During sessions, some people don’t feel very much. Others feel quite a bit. Either way, as the peaceful melding connection deepens, the nervous system begins to reorganize. Some people get up off the table deeply relaxed. I’ve often heard people say they haven’t felt such ease in years. The one thing I ask is patience — deep healing unfolds gradually.

When the body is rested and at ease, it heals from long-term trauma more easily.

The combination of trust and gentleness, backed by real skill, creates a secure environment that fundamentally transforms the healing process — letting the nervous system shift from high alert to rest, which is essential for repairing body and mind.

Ready to feel better? I’m Sharon Hartnett, a Diplomate-Certified Craniosacral Therapist (CST-D) through the Upledger Institute, with about 30 years of experience listening to the body and helping it heal. My office is in Worthington, Ohio, and I serve the greater Columbus area.

If you’re curious whether this gentle work is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. Call or text me at (614) 653-8111.

Learn more about craniosacral therapy in Columbus, read answers to common questions about craniosacral therapy, or find out how to choose the best craniosacral therapist for you.

Click Here to find out more about Sharon

Choose a Craniosacral Therapist|Sharon Hartnett CST-D

by SharonHartnett | Jan 31, 2026 | Craniosacral Therapy, craniosacral, Energy Healing, mind body & spirit, somatic therapy, Spiritual Healing, Structural Integration, Traum Informed Therapy, trauma informed therapy

Written by Sharon Hartnett, CST-D — healer, certified craniosacral therapist, trauma-informed practitioner. Serving the Columbus, Ohio area, and at a distance.

Empowerment

Yesterday was a good day. I had three incredible connected people leave my office after amazing Craniosacral Therapy sessions that changed me, but even more importantly changed them.

It’s not that I am a fantastic healer. But I will say that yesterday I was right in my groove for holding a sacred space for these women to drop into the deepest well inside, to access transformational energy in their nervous systems, to make life feel “right” again in their bodies. They were ripe. I was ripe—and magic happened.

This Is Not Foo-Foo

I don’t want this to sound foo-foo, because it is not. My work is based in science and many years working with whole people through somatic therapy and energy work focused on embodiment. But I am so happy that through all these last 30 years of working, I see real change—big change—change that matters with my clients. One month ago, I had a client say after one session that her life was completely changed. The work was powerful, and the world called her to shift. When a person is ready, everything will come into alignment to bring forth the Core Star, the Light which is the true you: magnificent and holy and so very Light.

It’s the Work, Not Me

It’s the work! It’s not me. It’s the person who longs to change and trusts themselves to open up like a ripe melon and taste the delicious sweetness and strength of the soul. I sit or stand on the side and I ask questions when helpful, hold the body when needed, use techniques that nudge the system to turn on and optimize. It’s the melding of two systems moving into unity and expansion. Two forces informing, with one person (me) holding space for the other to grow into a bigger experience of Self and Other.

Yesterday, one client connected with a core wounding and released such deep trauma, reconnecting with her authentic Self. Another client had walked in misalignment for years and can now move with light grace with each step. The last client suggested I charge more. I love the great feedback, and to observe—because as I deepen and receive, I have more to offer. So do you too. It is in our potential to gather and exponentially shift everything.

Now Is the Time

I say this all because right now, on earth, we need each other and we need to discover our own sense of empowerment again. It’s time for ordinary people to awaken to the full breath of their “Being.” You are more than you can even imagine.

Whether you come see me, or another healer, craniosacral therapist or manual bodyworker—do it for you. Do it for this world. Many of us have been waiting to wake up this world and bring in more and more Light. It’s time now.

It doesn’t matter what religion you are, the color of your skin, the class society has classified you into—find a friend, find a therapist and make something wonderful in your relationships. Bring it back to you, and then spread it back out.

Now is the time. Sure, I had a great day yesterday. Mostly because I know I made a positive difference. That feels so darn rewarding. Don’t get misled into thinking you are small—never do that. Too much of that going on in the world. Instead, move into your greatness my friends. We shall overcome!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D
(614) 653-8111
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com