by SharonHartnett | Sep 5, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Understanding why people experience Chronic Headaches may be difficult.
So let’s rather concentrate our energy on finding a way to help relieve the pain. What actually works?
Generally speaking, when a person experiences headaches approximately 15 days a month or more, it is considered a chronic situation. The two kinds of headaches that shout out the loudest are: tension and migraine.
Chronic Headache relief
Tension headaches are usually diffused around and encompass the whole head. This includes the scalp, neck and are thought to be activated by stress.
Migraine headaches can be identified by a pounding pain in the head, along with feelings of nausea, light sensitivity and dizziness. Often they are felt on one side of the head. Genetics and the living environment are thought to be linked to the start of the throbbing. Diet, chemicals, hormones and such can all contribute to the onset of pain.
Massage Therapy can be helpful in reducing headache pain, simply because it is relaxing, balances the nervous and circulatory systems, and reduces stress. The best thing you can do it to create a healthy lifestyle that nourishes you and brings you into equilibrium. Therapeutic touch can be part of that positive decision making process!
How can Craniosacral Therapy Help?
Craniosacral Therapy in particular is a great modality of light touch massage that helps clients reconnect to better internal dialogue. Thereby, its’ benefits are found by allowing better circulation, nervous system communication, lymphatic flow, and energy transmission. CST is great for young babies, and all other ages.
Release Tension
When an experience Craniosacral Therapists works for you, he/she listens to what want to happen in your body to complete cycles of health and wellness. Especially in regards to headaches, one pays attention to the thoracic inlet to make sure that area is open and flowing superior of the heart, but below the neck. When the cranial motion is optimized by working with sutures and balancing the cerebrospinal flow, the fluids and nerves have a clearer path to move back down into the body for increased functionality.
If you haven’t heard about Craniosacral Therapy, please go to the Upledger site to find out more.
If you would like a free 15 minute phone consult, call Sharon Hartnett at 740 966-5153 if you are in the Ohio area.
Wishing you the best of health and joy!
Sharon Hartnett LMT Craniosacral Therapist Columbus
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Jun 29, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Arthritis Pain…Are your joints becoming inflamed causing chronic pain and fatigue?
Keeping an open mind to various treatments for arthritis can be your best bet.
There are many articles online about natural remedies to take such as Sam-E, creams, Magnesium, along with conventional medicines that are aggressive and have side effects, etc… but have you heard of Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is so gentle that practically any person is able to receive the work and feel better. It is based on the principle of listening to the body’s own internal resources for direction that know how to help maintain and repair damage.
In my office, I have often combined myofascial release techniques along with CST with amazing results. I had one woman recently who could hardly turn her neck, and could barely get through the night with a full night’s rest. Her medical history with a disk replacement was just the beginning to her ongoing pain. For years she had suffered miserably. In just a few sessions, she is feeling much better rested, and pain free. She told me she feels like she has a new body.
Honestly, I don’t take credit for this. It is her self-correcting inner source mechanisms that know how to heal. I just help her to tap into that so that health and wellbeing is restored.
arthritis
Two Main Areas to Work to alleviate arthritis pain:
Fascia: Releasing restrictions in the fascia can help the body to let go of stress and tension, while increasing better circulation and energy flow. As has been more recently discovered, the fascia tissue is a fundamental communicator in the body, The more fluid and hydrated the tissue, the healthier the body is in relaying messages. Tissues and body systems that work together stay resilient and recover quickly as the tissues slide freely next to each other. Fascia is also like a web that wraps around the body and contains throughout. If one spot in the body is brought out of alignment, it pulls from other area. Compensation soon leads to dysfunction longterm if not treated. Connective Tissue Massage can be very beneficial for this type of pattern. It’s important to remember that fascia is also key in keeping structure, but also in promoting flexibility. Exercising, Fascial Therapy and moving multi-dimensionally will keep you feeling healthy and optimally. Working with a Structural Integration Therapist, CST or a Rolfer can really change how you move and feel.
Craniosacral System: The Craniosacral System is a Semi-closed hydraulic system. The membranes and fluid that surround the brain and the spine contribute to the protection and the nourishment of the nervous system. Since the Central Nervous System controls the rest of the body, it is a key area to work with to address dysfunction and ill health. A Craniosacral Therapist works with the bones and the fluid to help the body to reconnect to its own Inner Physician. The cebrospinal fluid is created in cycles and reabsorbed continuously , but do balance out. So we work with following and supporting symmetrical and powerful flexion and extension cycles during these rises and falls is essential to good overall health..
Between the fascia and the CST, we can feel into holding and restrictive patterns easily through the whole body. The combination releases area where the muscles and joints are tight, allowing more mobility and ease in the body.
For more information, please feel free to call Sharon Hartnett at (740) 966-5153 for a 15 minute phone consult.
Arthritis pain can be helped through diet choices, herbs, movement, good rest and medicines to say the least. Why not add some manual bodywork to deepen your potential to heal?
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
703 509-1792
www.upledger.com
www.cranioscraltherapistcolumbus.com
by SharonHartnett | Jun 2, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
I just finished being a teacher assistant again for the Craniosacral Therapy 2 class for Upledger in Columbus Ohio 2015. It is always such a pleasure supporting the Upledger Institute. Through my years helping out with the classes, not only do I have the opportunity to help students better learn their Craniosacral skills more thoroughly, but I also personally learn something new each time myself from the various teachers. Each presentation gives a new perspective and it helps me to understand the work with a new depth and expertise. Keeping updated with changes and skills helps me to deliver better work to my clients.
One of the things that stands out most to me about this work after being immersed in this most recent class is that Dr. John Upledger centered this work on the Inner Physician. By trusting the intelligence of the body, and listening and following with the gentle techniques, huge shifts can and do occur that bring better balance and health to many people who receive CST. An experienced CST therapist can connect with dysfunctional patterns and help to release them as well. The Craniosacral work can help clients to let go of stress and calm the nervous system too.
While this work is based primarily on direct contact with the Cerebrospinal fluid, brain and spine, the rest of the systems also clear and find inner wisdom to self-correct and move toward health. My clients have often found pain relief, more clarity in thinking, deeper connection to Core, and much more.
Craniosacral Therapy
If you are interested in discovering the many benefits of Craniosacral Therapy, check out the Upledger site to learn more: Upledger Institute. Mixing science and holistic methods to bring deeper peace and joy into life.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
Columbus, Ohio
740 966-5153
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | May 21, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit, Structural Integration, thought for the day
The most frequently asked question I receive from clients is…
“How often should I come see you for massage therapy treatments?”
To be honest, one of the reasons I became a massage therapist was because many years ago, my best friend Karen practiced on me while she was in massage school for two hours once or twice a week and I got hooked. She had the most warm and embracing hands that melted everything in my body and soul. I unwound and felt so happy and peaceful afterwards. It was like living on cloud 9 with my body feeling very grounded at the same time. She had the touch of an angel, and I felt so embodied and centered after our sessions.
It wasn’t until a couple years later, when I moved from Colorado to Ohio, that I actually took the plunge myself and dove into the Massage school curriculum at a Massage School in Akron, Ohio. Even then, I was quite surprised to find myself there as it was the last thing I expected as a career choice for myself years before. But the touch, and the healing was wonderful, and I knew that I was right where I needed to be more than any doubts that showed up. So- if I am asked how often should a client receive massage, I’d most often recommend as often as possible as long as it feels therapeutic and it is in your budget. Massage Therapy feels great and helps you to let go of stress and tension which is not healthy for you. When you find the right massage therapist for you and form a deep relationship of holding and healing, your essence and light breaks through so you can be your best. That’s how I view it for myself, and the clients that I see.
With that said, once the above is determined, I like to remind clients and potential massage clients that if you are living in chronic pain or feel an acute pain condition that has just come about, that it takes time for the body to heal. The physical world does not mend as quickly as we are able to skip over to a new thought. Biological healing is a process that unfolds with care and connection. And in most cases, pain situations are an accumulation of many factors including: postural imbalances, habitual patterns of movement, stress, emotional issues, sports injuries, birth traumas, challenges taking in a healthy diet, toxins in our environment, along with other dysfunctional interactions we have in life. So with all that goes into creating a painful situation, it is necessary to balance out with receiving quality care, and allowing the body to repair and self-correct after treatments. Don’t put your stock into a one time fix, although many times these types of miracles can occur to resolve pain relief. In most cases, more work is needed to help the body restore itself to its natural healthy state for the long-run. If you want the honest answer to the question “how many massage sessions do I need to come in for”, the answer is that it depends on your commitment to feeling well and doing whatever it takes to accomplish that. And- healing is a unique and different experience for each person and each relationship.
Massage Columbus
In my practice, I have some clients that come a few times a year for a tune-up or for when they are feeling out of whack, and I have clients who come once or twice a week until things turn around. When clients are specifically interested in the Structural Integration for better alignment and pain relief, I follow a ten session recipe as prescribed by Dr. Ida Rolf for optimal postural re-education results. If the client is experiencing a bulging disk or nerve pain, sometimes it’s best to get a chiropractic adjustment, and wait a day or two for your massage and bodywork. Once the bones are stable, the fascia and other soft tissue needs to be released to help the client to stand straighter in better form. Massage is focused on soft-tissue. Craniosacral Therapy is a fantastic modality of work that directly works with the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spine. It is a tremendous therapy for helping clients with structural issues also, although with a light touch. Wonderful benefits has been experienced with conditions like anxiety, stress, ADHD, fibromyalgia, neck and back pain and headaches and more. Clients who can’t fall asleep at night often fall asleep on the table because they are so relaxed. It may take a few sessions, but slowly the nervous system balances and learned to heal in many cases.
Personally, as I have been working in this field almost 17 years, I have more recently kept most of the focus in my practice on myofascial therapy including Craniosacral Therapy, and Structural Integration (as taught by Dr. Ida Rolf). I also include mindful exploration of the mind, body and spirit connection for those who are interested. I have a background in Brennan Healing Science (graduate at former faculty as the Barbara Brennan School of Healing), Reiki, and I like to include my trauma background and Hakomi practice as well into my work. I find that when people come into the massage office, that they are best served by being held in the sacred space of healing and health. However that stress is showing up, my office is a confidential place where everything can be as it is without new conflict or distraction. Because I personally enjoy working with Somato-Emotional Release and with people hoping to find pain relief from previous trauma, I usually like to see clients once a week on an ongoing basis until they feel good. My preference is to work with people who are commitment to feeling well. They get the best results because they see deeper that a session or two for a quick fix. And my hope is that I am doing the best job to help them so that at some point they can stop, or take long breaks until they could use either some proactive massage therapy or they are feeling uncomfortable again.
It’s important to mention that each massage therapist has his/her own unique style. Each client is organized in his/her own way. While a massage therapist can hold space, we are not licensed as psychotherapists. But many of us have had training in dialogue, wellness, coaching, and spiritual healing. If you are committed to unfolding into your presence and health, consider a long-term relationship with your massage therapist and any other type of therapist you would want on your healing team. There are so many possible stresses in the world, we all can use a helping hand at some time. And we all deserve to be happy and feel our best!
Sometimes, I think we forget to treat ourselves well and we give all the excuses in the world to not give ourselves the quiet and nourishment we need.
Wishing you a sacred and beautiful day.
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI, Brennan Healing Science Practitioner.
740 966-5153
Lighten Up Therapies
Serving the Columbus, Ohio Area
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
www.upledger.com
For your Massage and Bodywork questions, please feel free to write~
by SharonHartnett | May 1, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, mind body & spirit
Neck Pain can occur for numerous reasons.
It could be the aftermath effect of an accident, poor postural strain, a pinched nerve or the result of an illness. Whatever the reason for your pain and discomfort, what matters most is finding the best method that will work to help alleviate your symptoms.
There are some basic things that you can do at home:
- Taking a warm epsom bath full of Magnesium Sulfate can help wonders.
- Put two tennis balls in a sock and place them on the back of the neck while lying on the ground. Relax.
- Place your hand on the back of your neck and press where it hurts. Stretch slowly and gently away in the areas that feels good. Overstreching could make it feel worst so listen to your body.
- Ask your sports trainer to give you some strength building exercises. Very important for long-term recovery.
- Breath and gently turn head in easy directions that are unusual. Various planes of motion benefit.
- Use a Stillpoint Inducer from Upledger for a minute or so, thereafter increasing time each day to help diminish pain.
- Buy a neck traction machine and use as needed.
- Eat healthy foods and exercise. Stay away from processed food and perhaps check in with a functional physician or nutritionist to make sure you are using food as medicine. Changing your diet can help fight against arthritis.
Neck Pain Relief
Things that you can do outside of this are:
- Find a good Physical Therapist who does manual work as well as giving you exercises.
- Swedish Massage helps with Circulation and Lymphatic Flow.
- Find a Structural Integration Therapist who works with posture and movement to help you getting better aligned.
- Craniosacral Therapy helps to relieve dysfunction along the spine and cranium, often helping to relieve pain symptoms.
- Chiorpractors vary in their methods as much as Massage Therapists. Ask questions and state what you want. Some can apply abrupt moves and others can manipulate much more gently.
- Myofascial Massage works with the muscles and the fascia primarily. By lengthening the layers releasing trigger points and knots, clients often feel much better.
- Sometime emotional issues needs to be expressed. Speak with a healer or counselor about what is going on in your life and work towards resolution.
Listening to your body and taking a holistic approach to health is your best option. If you are suffering from neck pain, take this opportunity to turn it around. There is no reason why you should neglect your self-care!
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI, Brennan Healer
740 966-5153
Columbus, Ohio
