What Is Craniosacral Therapy? Gentle Light-Touch Healing in Columbus, Ohio
Sharon Hartnett, CST-D — Advanced Certified Diplomate Upledger Craniosacral Therapist, specialized in working with trauma.
Check the Upledger Institute directory for a certified CST therapist near you.
Get ready to release the tension in your body with the gentlest of touch
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is an alternative non-invasive medical procedure that monitors and enhances the function of the whole body through connecting and working with the Craniosacral System (CSS), a physiological system surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This gentle hands-on manual therapy encourages the body’s own intelligence to release tension and restrictions within the body’s central nervous system. About 5 grams of pressure or less is used as the therapist palpates and supports the rhythm to strengthen, balance and come into symmetry. During the course of this specific type of bodywork, the client often goes into a deep relaxation and feels revitalized and more deeply connected to core and healthy movement. Often clients find neck and back pain relief and more flexibility along the cranium and spine.
Dr. John Upledger, the physician who brought Craniosacral Therapy mainstream in the 1970s, expresses this best:
“Craniosacral therapy is a very soft touch, hands-on method of treatment. It deals with what we have named the craniosacral system which is composed of a membrane that is waterproof that encases the brain and spinal cord and carries within it cerebrospinal fluid. The pressure and volume of the fluid go up and down. That makes it a hydraulic system, which needs to be free to move all the time because the fluid should be moving and bringing nutrients to all the neurons and taking away wastes and so forth. With Craniosacral therapy, we have several entries into this system—most of them through bony attachments or through direction of energy or pulling of fascia—for alleviating any restrictions that might have accumulated due to injuries or illnesses. This therapy improves the health of the brain and spinal cord, which in turn, affects the whole body.”
Restrictions in the body may be the result of experiences such as: birth complications, postural misalignments, strains, accidents, surgeries, sprains/breaks or infections. This could cause an array of different issues since the nervous system plays an intrinsic role throughout the whole body. Over the course of sessions, CST enhances the body’s own healing resources to begin to release and improve overall functioning.
Many people first hear of this work as “craniosacral massage.” It isn’t massage — no oil, no muscle work, and you stay fully clothed — but if that is the term you searched for, you are in the right place.
Who Benefits From CST?
People with:
- Fibromyalgia
- Stress and Anxiety
- Immune Disorders
- TMJ
- PTSD
- Post Surgical Healing
- Traumatic Brain and Spine Injury
- Migraines
- Chronic Neck and Back Pain
- Motor Coordination Issues
- Autism
- Emotional Regulation
- Rebalance after Birth
- Learning Disabilities and Learning Disorders
- Chronic Fatigue
- ADHD
- Scoliosis
- Foot Pain
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
Craniosacral Therapy is practiced with such soft touch that it may be useful with almost all individuals. However, there are a few contraindications:
- Recent skull fracture
- Herniation of the medulla oblongata
- Acute intracranial hemorrhage
- Intracranial aneurysm
How Often Should I Come in for a Session?
It depends on an individual’s circumstance. Some clients choose to come monthly, but others have enrolled in intensive week-long daily multi-hand sessions to heal deeper issues. If there is a chronic issue, it often takes at least one session per week. It’s good to remind yourself that it took months to years to get out of wellness; patience pays off when moving back towards center.
How Craniosacral Therapy Works
With this therapy we aim to free restrictions in the natural movement of the cerebrospinal fluid, the clear liquid that cushions the brain and the spine. It has the function of transporting hormones and removing waste. As the barriers release, healthier dialogue from a cellular to system level can occur, allowing one to feel healthier and happier.
How Long Are Sessions?
Clients wear comfortable loose clothing. The session normally lasts about 75 minutes.
What Should I Expect After a Craniosacral Session?
Most clients feel a deep sense of inner peace and quiet when the session is over. Often, clients will experience deep release and new awareness of themselves and their relationships. However, there are times when some type of emotional issue comes to the forefront that may or may not find completion during the session. If that happens, there are no worries, because the craniosacral system will continue its work even after you leave. Craniosacral Therapy has been known to balance the emotional state of individuals as sessions continue. Energy levels often increase when low, and hyperactivity calms down.
We enjoy working with mothers and babies. The less stressed Mom is at any stage, the easier the baby can relax. See our page on craniosacral therapy for women.
Have more questions? Visit the Craniosacral Therapy FAQs.
Craniosacral Therapy in Worthington, Serving Columbus, Ohio
My office is in historic downtown Worthington, a short drive from downtown Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Upper Arlington and Clintonville. Craniosacral therapy is the foundation of everything I do, and in a session it is often woven together with trauma-informed somatic work and energy healing — the body, the nervous system and the energy field are not separate, and your system shows me which one is asking for attention. You can read about the full range of integrative therapies I offer, and if you are not local, energy and somatic work are also available as virtual, long-distance sessions.
If you have been living with pain, tension or a nervous system that will not settle, I would be honored to work with you. Call or text to schedule, and we will start by simply listening to what your body has to say.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
Lighten Up Therapies
6797 N High Street Ste 333, Worthington, Ohio 43085
(614) 653-8111
craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com