(614) 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.com
Post-Concussion Support with Craniosacral Therapy | Columbus

Post-Concussion Support with Craniosacral Therapy | Columbus

by | Aug 12, 2026 | Craniosacral Therapy

Lingering Symptoms After a Concussion? How Craniosacral Therapy Can Support Recovery

Most concussions resolve within a few weeks. But if you’re reading this, you may be one of the many people for whom they don’t — the headaches linger, the brain fog won’t lift, bright lights and busy rooms are still exhausting, and everyone keeps telling you the scans look fine.

If that’s you, first: what you’re experiencing is real, it’s common, and it has a name — persistent post-concussion symptoms. And while your physician should always lead your concussion care, there’s a gentle, hands-on approach many people find supportive during the long tail of recovery: craniosacral therapy.

Why Symptoms Can Linger After the Injury “Heals”

A concussion isn’t just an event that happens to the brain — it’s an event that happens to the whole head-and-neck system. The impact travels through the skull, the membranes surrounding the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid, the neck, and the fascia connecting all of it. Even after the acute injury resolves, this system can hold residual restrictions and protective tension patterns.

On top of that, a concussion is often a shock to the nervous system itself. Many people’s systems remain stuck in a protective, high-alert state long after the injury — which can feed ongoing headaches, sensory overwhelm, poor sleep, anxiety, and fatigue.

Where Craniosacral Therapy Fits In

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) works with precisely the structures a concussion affects: the cranial bones and sutures, the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, the neck, and the fascia of the head and body. Using extremely light touch — about the weight of a nickel — I listen for areas of restriction and support the body in gently releasing them.

For post-concussion clients, sessions typically emphasize:

  • The cranial base and neck, which often absorb significant force during impact and whiplash
  • The membranes and fluid rhythm, supporting the environment the brain rests in
  • Calming the overall nervous system, helping the body come down from sustained high alert
  • Pacing and gentleness above all — a healing brain does not respond well to force, so nothing in this work is forceful

Because CST is so gentle, it’s well suited to people whose systems are sensitive — which describes almost everyone recovering from a concussion.

What Clients Commonly Report

Every recovery is individual, and CST supports rather than replaces medical treatment. With that said, post-concussion clients often describe:

  • Reduced headache frequency and head pressure
  • Feeling less “rattled” by light, noise, and busy environments
  • Clearer thinking and less fog after sessions
  • Deeper sleep — often the first thing to improve
  • A steadier, calmer baseline as the nervous system settles

Progress with post-concussion work tends to be gradual and cumulative rather than dramatic, which is why I take time in a free consultation to talk honestly about expectations.

The Team Approach: Your Doctor Leads

I want to be direct about this: see a physician for any head injury, and keep following their guidance. Red-flag symptoms — worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, confusion, weakness, seizures, or changes in consciousness — need immediate medical attention, not bodywork.

Craniosacral therapy belongs in the supportive layer of concussion care, alongside approaches like vestibular therapy, vision therapy, and graduated return to activity. I’m always glad to work as part of a team with your physician, physical therapist, or neurologist, and I’ll tell you honestly if I think another provider should be your next step. You’ll find trusted referrals on my recommended providers page.

For Parents: Kids, Teens, and Sports Concussions

Young athletes are among the most common concussion patients — and among the most responsive to gentle work. CST’s light touch makes it appropriate for children and teens, and parents are always welcome in the room. If your child has been cleared medically but still “isn’t quite themselves,” a gentle evaluation of what their system is holding can be a meaningful next step.

A Quiet Setting for Sensitive Systems

One practical note for anyone whose symptoms include light and sound sensitivity: environment matters. Sessions are available at my Worthington office in the Columbus area, and also at my peaceful horse-farm retreat near Johnstown, Ohio — a naturally quiet, low-stimulation setting that many post-concussion clients find far easier on their systems than a busy commercial building. If bright waiting rooms and traffic noise are part of what wears you out, the Johnstown option may be the gentler choice, especially for clients coming from New Albany, Granville, Newark, or eastern Licking County.

Questions People Often Ask

How soon after a concussion can I have craniosacral therapy? Not immediately. Recent head trauma is a situation for medical evaluation first, and CST should wait until your physician has assessed you and any acute concerns (like bleeding or unstable pressure) are ruled out. Once you’re medically cleared, CST can join the recovery plan — many clients come during the lingering-symptom phase, weeks or months after the injury.

Is craniosacral therapy safe after a head injury? With medical clearance, yes — its extreme gentleness is exactly why it suits recovering systems. There’s no manipulation, cracking, or force. Certain conditions (acute hemorrhage, unstable intracranial pressure, aneurysm risk) are contraindications, which is why the doctor-first rule matters.

Can CST help post-concussion syndrome months or years later? This is actually when many clients seek it out — after the standard recovery window has passed but headaches, fog, or sensitivity remain. The body can hold restriction patterns from an impact long after the acute injury resolves, and it’s never too late to address them gently.

Is CST safe for kids and teen athletes? Yes, with medical clearance. The light touch is well suited to young people, sessions are adapted to their comfort, and parents are always welcome in the room.

Will insurance cover CST for concussion recovery? Generally not directly, though HSA/FSA funds may apply — check your plan. If cost is a factor, mention it in your free consultation and we’ll talk honestly about a sustainable plan.

Moving Forward

Recovery from a stubborn concussion can feel lonely and slow. You don’t have to navigate it without support. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to hear your story, answer questions, and help you decide whether this gentle approach belongs in your recovery plan.

Sharon Hartnett, CST-D Lighten Up Therapies 6797 N. High St. Suite 333, Worthington, OH 43085 Call or text: (614) 653-8111 Serving the greater Columbus and Johnstown, Ohio areas — including Worthington, Dublin, Powell, Upper Arlington, Westerville, New Albany, Gahanna, Sunbury, Delaware, Granville, Newark, Mount Vernon, and Central Ohio communities within about an hour and a half

Craniosacral therapy is a complementary approach and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your physician about head injuries and concussion symptoms.

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

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

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

craniosacral therapy with gentle touch

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
Chronic Pain Relief in Columbus, Ohio

Chronic Pain Relief in Columbus, Ohio

by | Jan 3, 2026 | change, Craniosacral Therapy, healthy

Chronic Pain Relief Columbus Ohio

If you’re living with chronic pain and you’re in Columbus or Worthington, I want to say this first: pain isn’t the problem. It’s a signal.

Most people try to push through pain or ignore it. Some rely on medication to get by. Sometimes that helps short-term. But chronic pain usually doesn’t resolve that way. It gets stored in the body. Over time, things tighten, movement changes, and the pain becomes part of daily life.

What actually helps is learning how to listen to the body and meet the pain in a way that is right for you.

Why Somatic Work Helps Chronic Pain

I’ve worked with people in pain for nearly 30 years. What I’ve seen again and again is that chronic pain doesn’t just live in muscles or joints. It lives in the nervous system, the fascia, and the tissues themselves.

This is where somatic work—like craniosacral therapy, gentle bodywork, or Hakomi-informed approaches—can make a real difference. Instead of forcing change, we meet what’s there and allow the body to respond.

Medication can dull pain. Somatic work helps the body reorganize so the pain doesn’t need to stay.

Pain Is Different for Everyone

There isn’t one kind of chronic pain. Everyone carries it differently. Body structure, stress, emotional history, and past injuries all play a role.

That’s why I don’t follow a formula. In my practice in Columbus and Worthington, I meet each person where they are. The body tells the story. My job is to listen. Most of the work is listening and gentle touch, but sometimes I do go deeper at points if that is what the body calls for. For some people, I will refer out if they need a wonderful massage therapist. One I recommend locally is Mia Mogavero. If I feel someone needs more active motion, I’ll add to the healing team and highlight people like Kelsey at Shift Motion. She offers great pilates classes which can help get movement, balance and strength in alignment. I am always looking toward my client’s real needs first.

Listening Changes Everything

Especially in the beginning, it can be important to talk about the pain—how it started, what it feels like, what makes it worse or better. Pain wants to be acknowledged.

After that, I listen more with my hands than with words. I follow the tissues, the fluids, and the subtle movements in the body. Over time, the body begins to show us what it needs.

Some people like quiet sessions. Others need to talk. Both are fine. There’s no right way to heal.

Chronic Pain Is Often Old Pain

Most long-term pain isn’t just about what’s happening now. It’s layered. Old injuries. Old stress. Sometimes old trauma.

Earlier in my career, I worked more assertively through Structural Integration. Change often happened quickly. Now I work mostly with craniosacral therapy. It’s gentler. Slower. Built on trust. For many people, it leads to deeper and more lasting relief.

When Trauma Is Part of the Picture

Some people don’t feel much in their bodies at all, especially if they learned early on to disconnect to survive. In those cases, we go slowly. Sometimes touch isn’t the starting point. Sometimes it’s simply sitting, listening, and establishing safety.

Healing doesn’t need to be forced.

Restoring Movement and Ease

The body is meant to move. Every tissue has its own rhythm. Chronic pain often shows us where that movement has been restricted—commonly in the neck, the cranial base, or the fascia.

When those areas are supported with care, things can soften. Movement returns. Pain often settles on its own.

The Way Through Chronic Pain

Pain isn’t something to fight. It’s information. It’s asking for attention and support.

If you’re looking for chronic pain relief in Columbus or Worthington, Ohio, my approach is gentle, respectful, and led by your body. You’re always in charge. We move at your pace.

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

Click Here to find out more about Craniosacral Therapy

Who is the best craniosacral therapist for pain / trauma / migraines / anxiety in Columbus Ohio area?

Who is the best craniosacral therapist for pain / trauma / migraines / anxiety in Columbus Ohio area?

by | Oct 19, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, upledger institute

Click Here for your Free 15 minute phone consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Craniosacral Therapy

1. What happens during a craniosacral therapy session?
You’ll lie fully clothed on a massage table while Sharon uses gentle touch to assess and balance the natural rhythm of your craniosacral system. Most clients find the experience deeply relaxing, often entering a meditative or restorative state.

2. How many sessions will I need?
Everyone’s system is different. Some clients notice meaningful changes after one or two sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support as their body unwinds long-held patterns. Sharon will help you find a rhythm that fits your goals.

3. Can craniosacral therapy help with trauma and anxiety?
Yes. Because CST works directly with the nervous system, it helps the body move out of “fight or flight” and into a state of safety and regulation. Many people find it helpful in releasing stored emotional tension and easing anxiety.

4. Is craniosacral therapy safe?
CST is extremely gentle and non-invasive. It supports the body’s natural ability to heal and is safe for people of all ages, including infants and the elderly.

5. How do I choose the best craniosacral therapist for me?
Look for a therapist with advanced training and certification through a reputable organization like the Upledger Institute. Just as important, choose someone who makes you feel comfortable and truly listens. Sharon Hartnett’s combination of professional expertise and compassionate presence has made her a trusted resource for healing in Columbus.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

 (614) 653-8111

Text: To learn about my Craniosacral Therapy services, visit my  my Main Page Here.   Link

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

Craniosacral Therapy in Columbus: How Gentle Touch, Somatic Awareness, and Visceral Manipulation Support Deep Healing

by | Oct 4, 2025 | barbara brennan, better posture, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, grounding, hakomi, healing, healthy, mind body & spirit, mindfulness, Structural Integration, trauma, upledger institute

craniosacral therapy worthington ohio

Call Craniosacral Therapist Near Me

Sharon Hartnett CST-D is a Certified Diplomate Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute

30 years of experience in mind/body centered healing and somatic work.

Telephone:  614 653-8111

Located in Worthington, Ohio and Serving the Columbus area.

Listening to the Body’s Deeper Intelligence

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle approach to listening to the body’s own deeper mind-body intelligence. Rather than trying to “fix” a symptom, I listen with my hands and my presence to what your system is already communicating. When the body feels safe enough to express itself, the central nervous system begins to balance, nourish, and restore itself from within.

This work opens communication with the essence and core of each individual. When the craniosacral rhythm is flowing freely, people often feel deeply relaxed, more aligned, and connected to themselves again. Over the years, I’ve seen clients leave sessions feeling lighter, clearer, and more at peace in both body and spirit.

Why I Was Drawn to Craniosacral Therapy

I first experienced craniosacral therapy decades ago. What struck me most was how such light touch could create such profound change. My body softened. My mind quieted. I felt healthier and more whole.

As a practitioner now, I use CST as the foundation of my work because it meets people exactly where they are. The body knows what it needs — my role is to listen deeply, stay neutral, and help the system find its own natural balance.

Many people assume that light touch is less effective than deep tissue work. In reality, working gently with the tissues and dialoguing with the nervous system is often far more powerful for lasting healing. The change arises organically rather than being imposed from the outside.

An Integrative, Trauma-Informed Approach

My practice combines craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, visceral manipulation, and energy healing in an intuitive, trauma-informed way. Every session is customized to the person in front of me. I draw on what I’ve learned from the Hakomi Method, Barbara Brennan Healing Science, Upledger CST, and years of working with clients through trauma, injury, and personal transformation.

This integrative model allows the body to unwind from multiple levels — structural, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. Healing is never just physical; it’s a whole-person process.

What Happens in a Typical Session

When a client arrives, I begin by listening. The first few minutes are about connecting — hearing what brings them in, noticing their tone of voice, posture, and how they inhabit their body. Everything tells a story about how their system is adapting and compensating.

After about ten minutes, the client lies fully clothed on the table. I place my hands gently at different areas — head, sacrum, feet — and listen to the craniosacral rhythm. This subtle motion naturally goes into flexion and extension with pauses in between. I assess its quality, rate, and symmetry. Where there are restrictions, I support the tissues in finding balance.

Sessions last about 75 minutes, longer than most bodywork sessions, because I want clients to have time to drop into deep stillness without feeling rushed. Afterward, I ask what shifts they noticed and how they might integrate these changes into daily life. Healing continues long after the session ends.

How I Track Progress

Progress often shows up in small but meaningful ways — easier movement, deeper sleep, less anxiety, or feeling more “present” inside the body. Each session, I ask questions to help clients notice what’s changing.

Because the work is so individualized, I often suggest people start with three sessions to feel how their system responds. From there, we adjust frequency based on their goals and progress. Some people come short-term for an acute issue; others choose ongoing sessions for maintenance, stress relief, and emotional regulation.

Somatic Therapy: Bringing Awareness and Empowerment

Somatic therapy helps clients develop awareness of how emotions and experiences live in the body. Using a Hakomi approach, I notice subtle cues — a breath held, a shoulder tightening — and may reflect or ask mindful questions to bring unconscious patterns to light.

Sometimes, we explore these through small “experiments” in awareness. This isn’t talk therapy; it’s an embodied inquiry that helps people discover their own inner wisdom. When someone becomes more self-aware, they naturally become more self-empowered. They begin to trust their body again and make new choices from a grounded place.

Visceral Manipulation: Restoring Internal Balance

Visceral manipulation focuses on the gentle mobilization of the organs and their connective tissues. Every organ in the body needs a certain freedom of motion to function optimally. When there’s restriction — from injury, surgery, posture, or emotional tension — it can affect digestion, breathing, or pelvic health.

I often work with women who experience pelvic discomfort, digestive issues, or breathing limitations. Through subtle assessment and touch, I help release restrictions so the organs can move in harmony again. This work often relieves pain, improves range of motion, and restores vitality throughout the entire system.

A Trauma-Informed Lens

Over the years, I’ve worked with many women who have experienced sexual abuse or boundary violations. Healing touch must always be guided by safety and choice. Sometimes clients say they want touch but their body shows hesitation. In those cases, we pause and explore what safety feels like together before any physical work begins.

Empowerment is at the heart of trauma-informed care. My goal is never to override a client’s readiness but to help them rebuild trust in their own boundaries and sensations. Healing is not about forcing release — it’s about re-establishing connection to the self in a way that feels deeply safe.

Real Stories of Change

Over the years, I’ve witnessed remarkable outcomes — not because of me, but because of how powerfully the body can heal when listened to.

  • Tinnitus relief: A woman came in with persistent tinnitus that had been plaguing her for months. By the end of the session, the ringing had stopped — and it remained quiet when we followed up later.
  • Chronic headaches: Another client had experienced daily headaches for six years. Within ten minutes of gentle craniosacral work, the pain disappeared and stayed away.
  • Post-accident recovery: A young woman who’d been in a car accident and lost her baby struggled to walk and was overwhelmed by grief. After ten sessions, she could move more freely, felt calmer, and began reconnecting with life.
  • Concussion and sensory overload: One woman with foggy thinking and extreme light sensitivity after a concussion felt clear enough after ten sessions to resume outdoor activities and adventures again.
  • TMJ Jaw and mouthwork that released tension in the jaw and joints.
  • Post Surgery Recovery A client recovered quickly after breast surgery.  Her range of motion and flow was much better.

Not every case shifts this quickly — each person’s healing journey unfolds uniquely. But these stories remind me daily of why I do this work.

Physiological and Energetic Perspectives

Physiologically, I believe that every relationship and life experience influences the body. When I come from my higher self — grounded, experienced, and connected — it opens communication down to the cellular and even quantum level. The body begins to reorganize itself toward health.

Energetically, I work with both flow and structure. Sometimes that means clearing congestion in the chakras or balancing the auric field. These subtle levels often correspond directly to physical tension and emotional holding patterns.

Who Can Benefit

Craniosacral therapy can benefit nearly anyone — from babies to seniors. I work with people dealing with:

  • Back and neck pain
  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Nervous-system dysregulation
  • Emotional trauma
  • Postural imbalances and limited range of motion
  • A general sense of disconnection or depletion
  • TMJ Relief

The only contraindications are conditions like active aneurysms, blood clots, or other medical issues that require more acute care. Otherwise, this work supports overall wellness and prevention by helping the body function at its best.

A Community Approach to Healing

Since moving to the Worthington area, I’ve noticed a need for more connection among bodyworkers and healers. I believe in collaboration and often refer clients to other trusted professionals — physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and counselors — to make sure they get the most comprehensive support possible.

Putting the client’s needs first means honoring all aspects of their healing. True wellness happens when we see the whole person, not just a symptom.

Why I Do This Work

I do this work because I believe each of us is capable of evolving into the best version of ourselves. My teachers and experiences have shown me that living with core values — curiosity, compassion, and authenticity — brings meaning and purpose to life.

When we learn to listen to the wisdom of the body, life begins to flow differently. Healing is not just about relief from pain; it’s about remembering who we truly are and allowing life to support us fully.

Begin Your Own Healing Journey

If you’re curious about how craniosacral therapy, somatic therapy, or visceral manipulation can help you, I’d love to meet you.

My 75-minute sessions in Worthington, Ohio, offer a peaceful space to unwind, rebalance, and reconnect with your own inner wisdom.

You can reach me at  614-653-8111 to schedule an appointment. Together, we’ll explore what your body is ready to release — and what new possibilities it’s ready to open to.