Ankle Freedom, Upright Posture: A Craniosacral Perspective on Neck Health — Columbus Insights

by SharonHartnett | Sep 7, 2025 | better posture, change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, grounding, healing, Healthy Body, Structural Integration

Craniosacral Approach: Ankle Mobility for Better Posture & Neck Health in Columbus

After 30 years of being a craniosacral therapist and doing integrative types of bodywork, it dawned on me how very important it is to free up the ankles in order for the neck to do the same.

A Bit about the Fascial System

The fascial system forms a continuous integrated architecture that literally connects your feet to your head. Working with this seamless three dimensional connective tissue network beginning at the ankles and feet can make a huge difference in how you feel and move in your body. It also directly affects the neck and it’s ability to sidebend, rotate and move in various directions.

Fascia is a seamless three dimensional connective tissue network that envelopes muscles, bones, organs, nerves and vessels. It allows global integration and force transmission. It is the medium through which all of life dialogues in my opinion.

In any case, recently what I have been noticing is that people who come in with neck issues, usually have a tightness in their lateral line. That begins at the peroneous muscles and goes up through the glutes, transferring possible tension up into the SCM muslces and such. Often this can lead to pain with headaches and migraines. There has to be efficient flow and communication from the head to the body, and the body to the head through the thoracic inlet.

Secondly, the plantar fascia and posterior needs to be considered as it deals with the arch and gait for walking and movement.

We have other lines too from the toes which run up to the pelvis to the head as well. So many relationships with which to work in order to restore better mobility and posture.

Your Goals with Craniosacral Therapy for your Health

The neck may be your weakest link. You may come in with neck pain, and issues like migraines, headaches, and tinnitus. You may believe that you need only local massage to release pain. But this is NOT a local muscle problem.

With Craniosacral Therapy, we approach the whole body. As a Structural integration Therapist I look at the whole body. The reason is- every movemenet we make is about interconnected patterns. What brings about optimal health and motion is addressing all the parts and patterns which add up to the whole.

As a somatic therapist, I know that you want to be feeling your best. I have to say though that most times, working only on the neck won’t bring you long term relief. Everything needs to change to create better order and integration.

Whole body attention is much more comprehensive and effective. You deserve to come in for treatments and to have your goals reached which most often are pain relief and better motibility. It is true that the neck probably needs a lot of attention, but the thoracic inlet, head and everything down to your ankles and toes does need to be included too in most cases.

My Goals for You with Craniosacral Therapy

First of all, my goal is whatever your goal is for yourself. Each Craniosacral Therapy treatment is based on how your body communicates through the craniosacral system. Bodies know how to move into the direction of healing, and I have faith in that dynamic to lead the session. In addition, I visually check your fascial alignment, and feel for twists, turns or any irregularities. I treat based on what you and your body are telling me. Each session is unique, as it should be as each person has their own way of developing and holding posture.

I find that by trusting the body’s communication and presnetation of patterns is the most effective way to treat.

Something I would like to invite you to do at home.

If your neck tightenss is bothering you, lie on the floor and feel how your neck and feet position themselves. Are they even when you look? Flexing your feet and pointing them, are you tight or do you move freely. Can you move your feet from right to left and left to right with ease? When you stand up, can you lift your toes? Do you stand on each side of your heal and the balls of your feet with balance. What do your arches look and feel like? Use your imagination and try to move your feet in many different planes of movement and see what is limited and what is not.

After about 5 minutes of testing. Get back on the floor. Breathe in for 4 and out for 6. Check in with your body and see how it feels after just the test. Do your ankles feel better? Your neck. Make a practice of finding ways to increase your mobility.

With Craniosacral Therapy, the motion tells me everything. On a deeper level, I listen to what the fluids and nervous system show me. I will help the body find alignment, and release tensions. Even more powerful is helping you to center and integrate new changes that give you more freedom in your body.

My message to you is that everything is interconnected in regards to your posture. Your fascia and the Craniosacral System are key to releasing dysfunctional patterns. However long it took you to get into a pain pattern- be patience and take your time to heal, and get well again. You deserve Seslf-Care!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Click Here for More About Craniosacral Therapy

Learn More About Ankle Exercises

How do the Mind and Body Connect?

by SharonHartnett | Aug 26, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, meditation, mind body & spirit, mindfulness

The Inseparable Dance of Body and Mind

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus: Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Long regarded as separate, our physical and mental realms are now understood to be intimately intertwined—so tightly that you can’t fully experience one without acknowledging the other. In the past, if we felt off or ill, we would go to a doctor and have a look at our physical results. But there is so much more to health than to only focus on the on the body!

1. Neural Highways: Built-In Bridges Between Thought and Physiology

A 2023 study from Washington University School of Medicine uncovered a structural integration within the brain: movement-control regions are directly linked to networks governing thought, planning, and vital involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. This reveals that the body–mind connection is literally wired into our neural architecture Minnesota Clinic For Health & Wellness+11WashU Medicine+11NSF – National Science Foundation+11.
These findings offer insight into phenomena like “butterflies in the stomach,” anxiety‑driven pacing, and why calming the body—through breathing or meditation—can soothe the mind NSF – National Science Foundation.

2. Interoception: Listening Within

Interoception refers to how our brain monitors internal bodily signals—like heartbeat, breathing, or digestion—and integrates them as part of our self-awareness. Misinterpretations of these signals can contribute to anxiety, depression, or eating disorders Wikipedia+2The New Yorker+2.
Psychologists and trauma informed Craniosacral Therapists (and other somatic practitioners) now see mind and body not as separate, but as synchronized in a continuous “prediction system,” in which the brain and body jointly forecast and react to experiences The New Yorker.

3. Embodied Cognition: Think with Your Body

Emerging research in “embodied cognition” emphasizes that our physical being shapes how we think:

Emotions are not just mental experiences—they map onto the body.
Memory, decision-making, and even language comprehension are influenced by our sensory-motor systems and environment Wikipedia+1.
For example, mimicking facial expressions helps us perceive emotions more accurately—a testament to the body’s role in interpreting the mind Wikipedia.

4. Mindfulness & Its Physical Echoes

Mind–body practices such as meditation, mindfulness-based pain management (MBPM), somatic therapies like Craniosacral Therapy and things like mindful exploration through Hakomi & other guided imagery deliver measurable benefits:

Meditation reduces depression, improves mood and stress resilience, and helps with attention and recovery from illnesses Nature+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia.
A study from UC San Diego found that just 20 minutes of mindfulness can significantly decrease pain perception, altering both intensity and emotional response New York Post.
MBPM, combining mindfulness with compassion, has shown long-term improvements in pain acceptance, mental health, and quality of life for chronic pain sufferers—even nine years after the intervention Wikipedia.
Guided imagery, breath work, hypnosis, and related mind–body interventions like Upledger Craniosacral Therapy have been shown to help with chronic pain, nausea, coronary disease, and enhance immune responses via psychoneuroimmunology—highlighting how thoughts can shape physical health Wikipedia.

5. Body Health Reflects Mental Health, and Vice Versa

Recent large-scale evidence indicates that poor physical health—especially metabolic or immune system dysfunction—often signals underlying mental health issues more clearly than brain scans do health.com.
Moreover, chronic mental states like depression can increase the risk of physical ailments such as heart disease or arthritis, mediated through inflammation and stress hormones time.com.

6. Bridging Western Medicine’s Divide

A 2025 exploration by Cambridge researcher Camilla Nord challenges Western medicine’s traditional split between “physical” and “mental” illnesses. She argues no condition exists purely in one realm—every illness involves both biological and psychological elements The Guardian.

Why This Matters

Clinical Practice must evolve toward holistic care—treating both body and mind together, not separately. As a Craniosacral Therapist in Columbus for many years, I have seen deep healing with hands on manual work. Especially when engaging the mind and body and interdependent and melding.
Everyday Life benefits too: practices like yoga, embodied learning, meditation, and mindful awareness can enhance wellbeing and resilience.
Personal Insight helps us recognize that physical discomfort, emotional stress, or mental fog are not isolated—they’re part of a unified system.

Being in the world of healing for 30 years, I KNOW from experience that we are more than just a physical shell. The body is something that we live within. It gives us an opportunity to be human and to have real life experiences. However, we are also our feelings, our beliefs, and our connections. We are much more than we ever imagined. Re-connecting our sense of mind and body gives us the chance to deepen and feel more whole.

In a nutshell: The body and mind are not two separate entities but parts of a holistic ecosystem. From neural wiring to emotional awareness, from physical sensations to mental health—each influences and shapes the other. Embracing this connection can guide us toward deeper healing, greater self-awareness, and more compassionate care—for ourselves and others.

Let me know if you’d like suggestions for practical exercises or healthy routines that honor this synergy!

Craniosacral Therapy for ADHD:Gentle Treatment that enhances Focus

by SharonHartnett | Jul 12, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, upledger institute

Focus with Craniosacral Therapy Columbus

Finding Calm and Focus: How Craniosacral Therapy Supports People with ADHD

Living with ADHD can feel like your mind and body are always on the go. Thoughts race ahead, focus slips away, and it’s hard to find a moment of true calm. While medication and behavioral tools help many people, some seek a more natural way to settle their nervous system and feel grounded in daily life.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that works with the body’s deepest rhythms. Using a light touch, the therapist listens to subtle motions in the tissues and fluids around the brain and spinal cord, helping release tension and restore balance to the central nervous system.

Why Does This Matter for ADHD?

ADHD isn’t just about attention; it’s also about how the nervous system regulates itself. Many people with ADHD feel restless inside, as if their body can’t fully settle. Craniosacral Therapy helps by:

Calming the nervous system. Gentle touch signals safety, helping shift from a constant state of alertness into deeper relaxation.
Releasing hidden tension. The body often holds tightness in the head, neck, and spine that adds to mental overwhelm.
Creating grounded presence. Sessions bring a sense of stillness and connection, making it easier to focus and feel centered.
Supporting self-regulation. Over time, people find it easier to access this calm state on their own.

What Do People Experience?

Clients often leave a session feeling deeply relaxed and clear-headed. Some describe it as if the mental “static” has quieted, allowing thoughts to come through one at a time instead of all at once. Parents notice their children feel calmer and more settled, which can make daily routines, homework, and transitions feel easier.

Is It a Standalone Treatment?

Craniosacral Therapy isn’t a replacement for medical care or other therapies. It’s a supportive practice that works alongside what you’re already doing, giving your body and mind an extra layer of ease and integration.

A Final Thought

ADHD can make life feel scattered and overwhelming. Craniosacral Therapy offers a gentle pathway back to stillness. It’s not about changing who you are, but about helping your system find its natural rhythm so you can move through the world with more clarity and peace.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

Serving the Columbus ARea

Imagine a Better World

by SharonHartnett | Jul 9, 2025 | change, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, mind body & spirit, move effortlessly, upledger institute

Creating a Better World Starts Within

It’s easy to look at the world and wish it were different. Kinder. More peaceful. More connected.

But what if creating that world doesn’t start out there?

What if it starts right here – within you?

Every time you choose to listen with compassion instead of reacting in anger, you create a small shift. When you speak with honesty and kindness, you create trust. When you soften your judgments and open your heart, you create space for healing.

These choices may seem small. But together, they become a ripple.

Your relationships change. Your community feels it. The world feels it.

We often forget how much power we hold to create change. Not by controlling others, but by becoming the person we wish everyone else would be.

Imagine the world you long for. Feel it in your body. Live it in your daily choices.

Because creating a better world starts within you… and then expands outward, touching everything you’re connected to.

You are that powerful.

As a Craniosacral Therapist and Healer for close to 30 years, I see the need that is here right now. Especially for women. To find this sense of power. To feel it in the bones, To move with the body. Let this mindful work help you to discover your deepest truth.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D through the Upledger Institute and Barbara Breenan Energy Healer/Reiki

614 653-8111

Serving the Greater Columbus Area.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness…..

Brain Healing Through Craniosacral Therapy: Manual Biomechanics for Individual Recovery

by SharonHartnett | Jun 21, 2025 | concussion, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, healing, Healthy Body

Craniosacral Therapy for Brain Health: Gentle Healing Through Mindful Touch

Discover how Upledger craniosacral therapy uses gentle manual techniques and biomechanical listening to support natural brain healing and nervous system wellness.

In our fast-paced world, many of us are drawn to gentler, more nurturing approaches to health and healing. Craniosacral therapy (CST) offers a beautiful pathway to brain wellness through the profound power of mindful touch and biomechanical awareness. This manual therapy embraces the craniosacral system—the delicate membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect our brain and spinal cord.

What is Craniosacral Therapy? Understanding the Craniosacral System

The craniosacral system operates on its own natural rhythm, distinct from heartbeat and breathing patterns. This intricate system includes the bones of the skull, face, and mouth, extending down to the sacrum at the base of the spine. Cerebrospinal fluid flows within this system, nourishing and protecting the central nervous system while removing waste products.

Craniosacral therapists are trained to detect the subtle movements and rhythms of this system through light touch, typically using pressure no greater than the weight of a nickel. This sensitive palpation allows practitioners to “listen” to the body’s inherent wisdom and identify areas where natural movement may be restricted.

Manual Biomechanical Listening: The Heart of Craniosacral Therapy

Central to craniosacral therapy is the concept of biomechanical listening—a practice that requires practitioners to develop extraordinary sensitivity in their hands and awareness in their touch. This listening involves:

Tuning into Subtle Body Rhythms

Practitioners learn to feel the gentle expansion and contraction of cranial bones, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and the movement of fascial tissues throughout the body.

Following Natural Movement Patterns

Instead of imposing corrections, skilled craniosacral therapists follow the body’s natural movements and allow the system to find its own path toward balance.

Whole-Body Awareness Integration

While focusing on the head and spine, practitioners maintain awareness of how restrictions in one area may affect the entire body system. They can also touch anywhere on the body and feel the rhythm. In the Upledger protocol, there are 10 basic steps to listen from a whole body perspective.

Mindful Cranial Sensitivity: The Therapeutic Power of Presence

The therapeutic power of craniosacral work lies not just in technique, but in the quality of presence and intention that practitioners bring to their touch. This mindful cranial sensitivity involves:

Present-Moment Therapeutic Awareness

Practitioners cultivate a state of calm, focused attention that allows them to detect the most subtle changes in tissue quality and movement.

Non-Invasive Healing Touch

Rather than manipulating or adjusting, therapists often simply hold space for the body’s natural healing processes to unfold. This gentle holding can create a sense of safety that allows deep relaxation and self-correction. This is different than energy work though, because CST is based in science and working with the anatomy and physiology of the body.

Therapeutic Stillness and Deep Listening

Sometimes the most powerful moments in a craniosacral therapy session occur in stillness, where both practitioner and client experience a profound sense of peace and connection.

Craniosacral Therapy Benefits for Brain Health and Healing

Improved Brain Circulation and Fluid Flow

By addressing restrictions in the craniosacral system, therapy helps optimize the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and blood circulation to the brain, supporting optimal brain health.

Natural Stress Reduction and Nervous System Regulation

The deeply relaxing nature of craniosacral work activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting the body’s natural healing responses and reducing the harmful effects of chronic stress on brain function.

Enhanced Sleep Quality for Brain Recovery

Many clients report improved sleep patterns following craniosacral therapy sessions, which is crucial for brain detoxification and memory consolidation.

Emotional Release and Mental Well-being

The gentle, supportive environment of craniosacral therapy can facilitate the release of stored emotional tension, supporting mental and emotional well-being.

Central Nervous System Support

By working with the central nervous system directly, craniosacral therapy helps improve overall nervous system function and resilience.

The Healing Power of Therapeutic Relationship in Craniosacral Work

One of the most profound aspects of craniosacral therapy is the quality of therapeutic relationship it fosters. The practitioner’s mindful presence and gentle touch create a safe space where the client’s nervous system can shift out of protective, high-alert states and into modes that support healing and regeneration.

This therapeutic holding—both physical and energetic—can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, chronic stress, or neurological challenges. The non-invasive nature of craniosacral work makes it accessible to people of all ages, from newborns to elderly individuals.

The Individual Journey: Unique Healing Experiences

One of the most powerful aspects of craniosacral therapy is that it honors the deeply personal nature of healing. Each person’s experience with craniosacral work is entirely unique, reflecting their individual body wisdom, life experiences, and healing needs. What emerges during a session—whether it’s deep relaxation, emotional release, physical relief, or subtle energetic shifts—is completely individual to each person.

Some clients feel profound changes immediately, while others notice gradual shifts over time. Some experience physical sensations like warmth or tingling, while others feel emotional releases or simply a deep sense of peace. This subjective healing experience is not only normal but celebrated in craniosacral work, as it reflects the body’s own intelligence guiding the healing process.

Real-World Results: Case Studies and Individual Benefits

While each person’s journey with craniosacral therapy is unique, individual case studies consistently show remarkable benefits for people dealing with various health challenges:

Chronic Pain Relief: Individual case studies document significant improvements in people suffering from chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, and persistent musculoskeletal pain. Many clients report not just pain reduction, but an improved relationship with their body and enhanced quality of life.

Stress and Anxiety Support: Personal accounts reveal how craniosacral therapy helps individuals manage chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma responses. Case studies show improvements in sleep quality, emotional regulation, and overall nervous system resilience.

Concussion and Brain Injury Recovery: Individual case studies highlight the potential of craniosacral work in supporting people recovering from concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. Clients often report improvements in symptoms like headaches, dizziness, cognitive fog, and emotional instability that can persist after head injuries.

These individual success stories remind us that while healing is deeply personal, the gentle power of craniosacral therapy consistently creates space for the body’s natural recovery processes to unfold in their own perfect timing.

A Holistic Path to Brain Wellness

Craniosacral therapy offers a beautiful integration with your overall wellness journey. The gentle nature of this work creates space for deep healing while honoring your body’s innate wisdom. Many people find that craniosacral sessionsenhance their overall sense of well-being and support their body’s natural capacity for self-healing.

Finding Qualified Craniosacral Therapists

For those interested in exploring craniosacral therapy, it’s essential to seek out properly trained practitioners. Look for certified craniosacral therapists who have completed comprehensive training programs and maintain continuing education in this specialized field. Many practitioners are also licensed healthcare providers such as massage therapists, physical therapists, or osteopathic physicians.

What to Look for in a Craniosacral Practitioner:

Craniosacral therapy certification from recognized training institutes
Ongoing continuing education in craniosacral techniques
Experience with manual biomechanical listening
Training in mindful touch and therapeutic presence
Understanding of the craniosacral system and nervous system function

Conclusion: Embracing Gentle Brain Healing Through Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy opens a doorway to the body’s remarkable healing wisdom through the practice of mindful, sensitive touch. By learning to listen deeply to the subtle rhythms of the craniosacral system and offering gentle, supportive presence, practitioners create sacred space where the brain’s natural healing processes can flourish.

The practice reminds us that healing often happens not through force or intervention, but through the simple yet profound act of being truly present with another person’s experience. In our increasingly busy world, the gentle power of mindful healing touch offers us a pathway back to our innate wholeness and the remarkable healing capacity that lives within each of us.

Whether you’re navigating stress, seeking to nurture your brain health, or simply feeling called to explore gentle approaches to wellness, craniosacral therapy offers an invitation to slow down, tune in deeply, and trust in the profound healing capacity that flows through us all.

Ready to experience the gentle healing power of craniosacral therapy? Find a qualified craniosacral therapist near you and discover how this mindful approach to brain health can support your wellness journey.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

For more question and answers about the Craniosacral Therapy Sessions go to FAQ page.

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