by SharonHartnett | Jan 10, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration, thought for the day
Not able to sleep Well? Looking for some help for Insomnia?
Today I was reading an article that discussed how women often have more challenges with sleep insomnia than men. In my experience, due to hormonal fluctuations, many women that I have seen in my practice would confirm this. They feel restless and can’t stop thinking or worrying either before going to sleep or in the middle of the night. Especially around 3AM. For me, this makes perfect sense as the body system’s are fluctuating due to the menstrual cycle, perimenopause or the like, that for some women, they would not sleep as well due to hormonal falls and rises. They could probably benefit from some type of hormonal support. But the number one reason for insomnia is stress. For women in particular, my guess is that stressful thinking and emotional swings, along with hormonal shifts can make it even more difficult to get the needed rest to have a productive day. That can be tough for a woman.
Can’t sleep well?
What surprised me the most though, was that the article mentioned taking drugs as a remedy to this challenge. On second thought, I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised because as I am writing this, the Universe in its full wisdom has sent a television commercial to come on for a sleeping drug that works with neurotransmitters with a list of negative side effects being marketed to help women sleep better. This has become our social norm. At the end, the watcher is told to ask his/her physician about this drug. I am sure that there are some good benefits to some of these pharmaceuticals. Sometimes we could use an easy way to help us through the night. But is it possible that there are some more natural ways long-term modalities of self-correcting care that are just as good or even better to alleviate stress and sleep disruption? My hope would be that physicians would more often say, “here is a prescription for massage once a week for three months”. Work on getting more exercise and eating well. Why not go take a yoga class?”
I don’t know why I am still constantly baffled that medical insurance covers drugs so easily (which are quite expensive), and that when we watch TV-we are bombarded with drug ads, yet massage and bodywork are still considered more of a luxury than a therapeutic modality that can help with things like sleep, stress, and tension. It does take time to support the body to change longterm and I know that this work doesn’t remedy insomnia for all people, but I have heard lots of positive feedback indicating how much better my clients sleep with their sessions. Research has shown that massage and bodywork are key in helping many people to feel better in so many ways. In my view- one of the keys to this is that we are focusing on the human body with massage which is quite sensory and mindful. During a massage, the thinking brain can relax and feel pleasure again instead of focusing on troubles. The more we receive, the easier it is to re-educate our nervous systems to wind down when done in a professional and healthy way. The integration between the mind, body and spirit is integral to wellness.
Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Therapy and Structural Integration have especially been helpful from my view in helping people to relax and let go of stress too. By working with the fascia, which is a 3 dimensional web of connective tissues that holds the body together (including being richly innervated), and helping it to let goof tension, the whole body can relax. Have you ever come out of a good massage and everything feels and looks more positive? The reason I specialize in these modalities, is that I LOVE hearing how relaxed and good people feel afterwards. As human beings, we have the capacity to love, feel pleasure, and to be happy. But sometimes we need a little help. And I am not sure that it always has to come in the form of a pill.
I am not suggesting that medicine be replaced. And by all means, I am not a physician. But my hope is that Massage Therapy, SomatoEmotional Release bodywork and perhaps work by psychotherapists that focus on the mind-body start to become more widespread to the public as a possible alternative to taking drugs for sleep and wellbeing. My hope is that this will eventually be covered by insurance so that all of us can sleep well.
Sharon Hartnett LMT
740 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Jan 9, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, fibromyalgia, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Can the Fluidity of Myofascial Work Help Alleviate Fibromyalgia Pain?
Fibromyalgia is a condition which involves widespread pain and hypersensitivity with specific tender points in the muscles. This syndrome can stop people from living their daily lives with ease.
Creating a healthy life style is one way to approach improving quality of life. Some positive ways to improve your sense of wellbeing are: healthy sleep routines, exercise, and of course-good eating habits. But can you find someone who can actually help you through your discomfort with hands on manual techniques to decrease or maybe eliminate the pain?
In more recent times, the importance of working with the myofascial and craniosacral systems has come to the forefront for improving many pain issues. Fibromyalgia is one of the conditions where I have seen clients finally find some relief. Whether it is done by a Craniosacral Therapist, a Myofascial Therapist or a Structural Integration Rolfer type of work, fascia is key in finding support. This is because the superficial fascia is highly innervated, and releasing it can balance the Central Nervous system while bringing about a better quality sense of wellness. But because of the tenderness, it is important to ask your therapist to work lightly and to respect your boundaries for what can be tolerated. Gentle work can be profound too without having to dig in and cause more pain.
Fibromyalgia Relief
If you would like to find a healing response to Fibromyalgia, why not find a fascia practitioner in your area and give it a try. I will say from my experience, that my clients often can sleep better and do find relief. The work will help clients to feel more fluid and more open.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
Located in the Columbus, New Albany area.
740 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
www.upledger.com
https://www.fmcpaware.org/m-n/myofascial-pain-syndrome
by SharonHartnett | Jan 6, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
When I ask clients who come into my practice with a diagnosis of Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMPS) symptom about their lifestyles, the first significant thing that I usually hear is that they are in jobs with repetitive contractive positions or that they are athletes.
Some of the difficulties they may share are: deep chronic pain that may seem unrelated in different parts of the body, symptoms worsen, eyes tearing up, difficulties sleeping, big knots, and aggravation due to their unrelieved symptoms.
For years I have been working with clients who face similar chronic conditions that don’t seem to get resolved in the traditional sense, so they find me. My approach is to work with the client directly on the myofascial plane first. That is where the pain is, and that it where the body can begin to self-correct.
Often, clients with CMPS, have connective tissue that feels abnormally tight, rigid, immobile and dehydrated. But that doesn’t have to stay that way. Fascia is easy to work with if one is trained properly. By layering in from the more superficial layers into the deeper planes, the all encompassing fascial web can release tension and bring the whole body back into alignment with more ease in rest and motion. However, with CMPS, eventually the massage therapist does need to get in deeper to release those stressed areas. So it’s necessary to find a massage therapist who is willing to use a little elbow if necessary. Also, I have found that although the added pressure is best, Craniosacral Therapy can be very helpful too with its additional techniques as well. By working with the fascia and CSR, especially around the spine, painful energy patterns can dissipate, and the clients often feels more flexibility in motion.
Chronic Headache relief
Not being a physician nor a PT, I can’t give you that type of advice. But I will say, from my experience of many years as a licensed massage therapist, that if you are doing the same contractive movement every day, it might be difficult to get out of pain permanently. This is one those times, that making a commitment to weekly myofascial therapy would be beneficial for most. On the other hand, if you can stretch, do yoga, learn new ways to move that create more balance in your body, that would probably make life a lot easier. Truly an integrative lifestyle approach is going to help you the best.
There is no reason why you should stay in pain.
Sharon Hartnett LMT
740 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
Serving the Columbus, New Albany and Johnstown area.
by SharonHartnett | Jan 3, 2016 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Is back pain stopping you from getting things done in your life?
Approximately 80 % of adults aged 30-60 in the US have reported back pain according to MTJ magazine. The pain can start out as mild, but if left untreated, can end up being severe, keeping you from work or doing the things that make you happy. Why not be proactive and take good care of yourself now before things escalate?
Life takes us each on our own unique journey’s. What causes one person to develop back pain symptoms may be totally different than other. What can be said from my perspective after working about 18 years in massage and bodywork is that typically what primarily causes back pain is a misalignment around the structure of the spine. Something is out of balance. If the structure can be addressed at first signs of trouble, the easier it is to bring back healthy posture.
As a myofascial therapist, it is easy to discern between healthy and unhealthy tissues through palpation. The healthy fascial tissues bounce back and feel hydrated, soft, flexible and differentiated. The unhealthy tissues often feel stiff, lumpy, dehydrated, and stuck. So until the client gets into the massage room, it is difficult to guess how to treat. We need to allow the body to give us the necessary information to support the healing process. That is because we need to see and feel where there are restrictions, rotations and other points of stress in the body. Planes of tension can be coming from anywhere based on how each person moves in relationship to gravity and their center. Thousands of spinal nerves exit the spinal cord that can become impinged reaching out into other parts of the body, and the root of the pain must be discovered. Who knows the story of how the fascia, spine and other body systems have evolved into a pain pattern? It can be complicated. But while the therapist may not know the total picture, the intelligence of the body does.
Relieving Back Pain
With Craniosacral Therapy, the therapists work with clients by trusting the “Inner Physician” within. Now to some people, this idea may cause some doubt. They may have never considered that the cellular tissue holds onto traumas and stress patterns as well as the possible resolution which can be communicated to the Craniosacral Therapist through dialogue. Yet-basically we are human beings of habits. Habits that can stay if they keep us healthy or habits that can be let go if they have become a hindrance. Our bodies are wise and do in fact have a lot to say about us and how to feel better. It is the job of a Craniosacral Therapist to help the client journey and self-discover and self-correct patterns that no longer serve overall health.
The first thing a Craniosacral Therapist will do during a session is “listen” to the tissues, the fluids and evaluate what is going on. What this means, is there is no routine, but in fact a formulated plan based on what the body is saying. We follow this plan from one moment to the other, while melding and helping the body to release adhesions, restrictions, and disorder. The plan will change constantly as the body starts to shift and open. Sometimes this means that we will be working directly with the Craniosacral System, and other times, we will focusing on fascia, or monitoring bone movements. Ultimately, we dance with the releases of the body until pain diminishes, and hopefully dissolves. Craniosacral Therapy can be very helpful in release back pain. And it is also very gentle, yet profound.
Craniosacral Therapy has been around for many years, but many people have yet to hear of it. It does fall under the license of massage therapy, but it was founded on the work of a doctor of osteopathic medicine. So I am taking this opportunity to share the work of Dr. John Upledger, of the Upledger Institute to see how it may help you. As a licensed Massage Therapist, I have found the Craniosacral Therapy along with Structural Integration to be very beneficial in helping many of my clients to release back pain and so much more.
If you are living in the Columbus Area (located near New Albany), and would like to talk more about how to release your back pain symptoms, please feel free to call with a free 15 minute phone consult.
Sharon Hartnett LMT
740 966-5153
Certified Advanced Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute
Structural Integration Therapist
Brennan Healing Science Practitioner/Teacher through the Barbara Brennan School
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Dec 19, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration
Have you found a Therapeutic Massage Therapist in New Albany, Ohio who can help you to relax and release pain?
I have just moved my office into a really wonderful space attached to my home in Johnstown. That’s right, a beautiful 5-10 drive minutes away, you can find an experienced Massage Therapist who specializes in Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial therapy massage focused on Structural Integration. We are located on a horse farm with a wonderful ambiance and a nice healing space. My appointments are set at 10:30 in the mornings, 3:30 in the afternoons, and 7:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays night. Other appointment times are available based on schedule.
I have close to 18 years of experience with Therapeutic Massage. I love my work! And because I am moving from my Upper Arlington location our to the country, I am offering a special holiday discount for first time clients of $20.00 off if you mention this ad. I am hoping to create a customer base here, building a warm community feel. Here is a link with a list of customer views who have enjoyed working with me on google. Lighten Up Therapies.
Therapeutic Massage
Some of the symptoms that have been relieved by Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Structural Integration are:
- Lower Back and Neck Pain
- Fibroymalgia
- TMJ
- Postural Issues
- chronic fatigue
- scoliosis
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Connective Tissue Disorders
- ADHD and more.
Working with the Fascia and the Central Nervous system can also help athletes to increase and optimize their sports performance.
The philosophy behind my work is that I listen to my clients and I follow and encourage the inner wisdom of the body to show me what needs to happen to heal. This can be deep myofascial therapy or Cranosacral Therapy which is very light, profound and versatile for people of all ages. Craniosacral Therapy with an intention of SomatoEmotional Release can also be supportive for people who have experienced traumas or feel stuck emotionally. It is a great complement to working with a psychotherapist.
Call Sharon Hartnett 740 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Dec 11, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
At Lighten Up Therapies, Sharon Hartnett LMT offers evening hours at 7:30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays. Location: Johnstown, Ohio
As a massage therapist for over 18 years, in my early days-I had many people call me trying to make an appointment, but unable to with their busy working schedules. Now, with the kids grown and off on their own, I decided to offer these evening hours to clients. It works for me, and lots of my clients enjoy this flexibility.
My office has just recently moved from Upper Arlington to Johnstown, Ohio. No need to worry, we are right past New Albany, the exit right passed. If you wait until rush hour is over, it’s fairly easy to reach. We are located on a horse farm, and it is a beautiful drive.
I offer a variety of services: Structural Integration, Craniosacral Therapy, Aromatherapy with Essential Oils, Hot stone massage, SomatoEmotional Release and more.
For the month of December, I am offering a $20.00 off discount for first time clients. Gift Certificates are available.
My focus is to help clients let go of pain, to move and function more efficiently, and to feel deeply into their bodies.
If you have a tight schedule and you are looking to feel happier and healthier, call Sharon Hartnett.
Advanced Certified Craniosacral Therapist
(740) 966-5153
www.upledger.com
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Dec 9, 2015 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, stillpoint
Many clients who come in for Craniosacral Therapy ask about SomatoEmotional Release (SER).
They have usually heard from their friends or associates how much better they feel after a few sessions. Yet they are not quite certain what SER is. So in order to educate potential clients, I’d like to take the Upledger’s description to share,
“ SomatoeEmotional Release may be defined as a release from the body tissues of energy that has been stored in the tissues for some time subsequent to an incident resulting in the placement of this energy in those tissues. The energy, which is foreign to the tissues in which it resides, almost invariably has within it an emotional component. When the SomatoEmotional Release technique is effectively carried out, the emotion is re-experienced by the patient/client and, most often, a rather vivid memory of the incident during which the energetic placement occurred comes into conscious awareness.”
The most important intention that comes to my mind as a Craniosacral Therapist who works with SER, is to create a sacred environment that focuses on working with unity of the mind, body and spirit. By holding space for the whole person, whatever shows up during a session can move forward, all taken care of by the client’s own “Inner Physician (IP)”. That inner intelligence that lies within regulates the session and helps the client to release energy that is caught up. The Therapist is connected to the IP and follows its guidance without judgment. This helps to complete unfinished cycles so that the client can feel finished with whatever unconscious material shows up.
SomatoEmotional Release
Clients who have experienced trauma, anxiety and other emotional extremes often feel much better balanced after an SER session. Not only from a feeling perspective, but also physically as well. When the client is able to move through fear along with letting go of dysfunctional tissue patterns, they are often able to move more freely into their future.
SomatoEmotional Release can be an excellent addition to psychotherapy. While students are trained in this type of work at the Upledger Institute , the foundation of the training is on working with the Craniosacral system. I like to think that this training helps manual therapist to be prepared for whatever shows up in the session without trying to control it or working towards fixing things. This is a journey of discovery and self-awareness.
If you are interested in finding out more about SER, please call Sharon Hartnett CST, at (740) 966-5153 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Nov 29, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, healing, healthy, Healthy Body, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Should you come in for a massage when you are experiencing a flu or cold this season?
I love working with my clients. Truly I do. My work and the people I touch bring so much light into my world. But I am always astonished that some of them come into the intimate setting of the massage room with either a full blown cold or flu. I know they need some TLC. But the massage table is not the best place to get it. Especially with COVID still present. It’s important to remember that your massage therapist LMT can get sick. But not only that, everyone she/he touches or who breaths in or comes into contact with a live virus is prone to catch the same thing with enough exposure.
Some of the symptoms to look for are:
Cold:
- stuff or runny nose
- sneezing
- cough
- eyes watering
- fatigue
- headache
- light fever
- congestion
Flu:
- stuffy and/or runny nose
- headache
- weakness
- fatigue
- dry cough
- fever
- congestion
- body aches and pains
Colds tend to be milder. They also seem to be much short lived.
For more information on colds and flu check out: Colds and the Flu
The best thing you can do is to rest, and take good care of yourself and others with plenty of sleep, and/or speaking with your physician. Also- just so you know, sometimes massage can aggravate your illness if too much activation is going on in your body systems. Not to mention, I think I have read that some Chicken noodle soup can really help to!
Don’t be afraid to cancel if you are sick:). Since I wrote this post, I have switched away from massage to Craniosacral Therapy. COVID has had a big impact on many so please be mindful of resting and taking care of yourself, as well as keeping others healthy!
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Nov 28, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FASCIA TYPE OF THERAPY
by, Sharon Hartnett LMT, SI, CST 703 509-1792
I have been working with Fascia as a primary type of massage for about 17 years. One of the most difficult things about this incredible type of work is explaining the difference between fascia work and general massage to the public. This is not your typical “Spa” massage, but its therapeutic benefits are longer lasting and generally much more profound in my opinion. Yet most people have only heard or experienced typical muscle massage. I’d like to list a few characteristics of fascial work to help you gain a better understanding of how it can help you:
1. The main objective of fascia work is to help release any restrictions or adhesions in the fascial system. The fascia itself is like a 3 dimensional web that envelopes the body and all the internal contents within. When one thing is pulled out of alignment, it affects the rest of the body. By intending to help the fascia to be free and fluid, the whole body improves in functionality and movement.
2. The actual touch can feel very different. Usually with general massage such as Swedish, the therapist uses oils and gently glides over the skin and underlying tissues. With deeper work, lubrication is still used even with the pressure. With fascial therapy, the therapist connects into the connective tissue layers and stretches the “material” until it forms a healthier consistency. The therapist waits for this, listens to the body and moves to the next restricted area. Also, while fascial work can be very comfortable, some clients who have limited mobility and flexibility who want quicker results may ask for a more assertive session. Like deep tissue, this can stir up a painful response. It’s up to the therapist and client to always dialogue about what feels like it is helping or not. Teamwork creates the best results.
3. Due to the relationship of fascia to the musculoskeletal system, fascia type of work can help improve posture more easily. When the fascia is lengthened, it gives more space to muscles, bones, organs and throughout the body. Fascia type of work brings the body back into its natural alignment. Taking stress and strain off the body helps people to walk and move easier.
4. Myofascial therapy can really help to give more optimal health to scar areas. When an injury happens to the body and scar tissue is randomly put down, it lock up certain areas of the body, which in turn affects everything. By working with scar tissue, the therapist can help bring more order to the dysfunctional patterns in the body.
5. Athletes or even anyone who moves in certain habitual patterns can definitely benefit from fascia work. When we use our bodies over and over in a particular way, imbalances can occur between front/back, side/side, top/bottom- basically all over. Working with the whole body through myofascial therapy, therapists can help the body to normalize.
I love my work. Touching into the intelligence of the body through the fascial has turned around the health of so many of my clients. Recently, I had a “Senior” in who had a deep sore that looked black that wouldn’t heal. The next week, it was pink and purple. I couldn’t believe how much improvement he had. My thought was that because we opened up the tissues there, his body could self correct and heal better. It had been like that for a while and then this huge change. Most massage therapist practitioners get into this work because they like helping people. What could be more rewarding?
If you are interested in receiving fascia type of work, contact Sharon at (740) 966-5153 for a free 15 phone consultation.
Warmly,
Sharon Hartnett LMT
Structural Integration Therapist
Certified Advanced Craniosacral Therapist
Columbus, Ohio
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Nov 23, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Massage
Well, I finally decided to stop making the drive to Upper Arlington and to focus my Massage Therapy practice to Johnstown, Ohio. So Johnstown residents, and surrounding areas… you have a new Craniosacral Therapist in town.
In addition to this, I have also decided to focus on Craniosacral Therapy as the main modality of my work. I have lots of experience with many different types of massage therapy, bodywork, energy work, and SomatoEmotional work, but I have found that the Craniosacral Therapy is versatile in being able to help most people with many different health challenges. With CST, I have seen clients live their lives with more ease and comfort by simply releasing restrictions and adhesions within the cranium and along the spine. By also addressing myofascial dysfunctional patterns in addition, clients seem happy to leave their pain behind by the time they leave the door. The most unique thing about my work with clients is that I listen, meld, and follow your leadership in accomplishing positive results. Each session is different based upon what is presented during the session.
As a way to market my new business, I will leave promotional materials for great deals for the holiday season at the “Hot Spot” on Coshocton Rd. in November. You can find out more about this great coffee cafe at: Hot Spot FB .
Craniosacral Therapy in Johnstown, Ohio
As I am new here for the most part in this area, I look forward to meeting lots of great people and clients.
If you have any questions about my work, please contact me, Sharon Hartnett at 740 966-5153 with your questions.
For more about Craniosacral Therapy, check out: www.upledger.com
