How to find Pain Relief with Listening and Gentle Touch

by SharonHartnett | Mar 22, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, healing, healthy, upledger institute

The Profound Benefits of Safe and Gentle Touch: A Craniosacral Perspective

First, lets begin with the concept that your Body is always listening. Touch is very informative and can be quite healing.

In a world that often moves too fast, where stress and disconnection have become the norm, the power of safe and gentle touch is profoundly healing. As a craniosacral therapist, I witness daily how subtle, nurturing touch can create profound positive shifts—not just in the body but in the mind and spirit as well.

Why Safe and Gentle Touch Matters

Touch is one of the first ways we experience connection as human beings. From infancy, we seek comfort, warmth, and reassurance through the gentle embrace of a caregiver. As we grow, touch continues to shape our nervous system, influencing our ability to feel safe, balanced, and present in the world.

Safe and gentle touch—such as that used in craniosacral therapy—engages the body’s innate healing intelligence. Dr. John Upledger calls this the Inner Wisdom. It communicates a sense of safety to the nervous system, helping to shift from states of stress and survival to deep relaxation and restoration.

The Science Behind Healing Touch

When we experience safe, non-invasive touch, several physiological responses occur:

Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System – Gentle touch signals the body to shift from fight-or-flight mode into rest-and-digest mode, reducing cortisol levels and promoting deep relaxation.
Release of Oxytocin – Sometimes called the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin fosters trust, emotional regulation, and feelings of security. Think of a mother holding her child with love.
Pain Reduction – Light touch stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin, which can decrease pain perception and enhance overall comfort. When touch is light, the body does not have to defend and the pain can just slip away.
Enhanced Circulation and Lymphatic Flow – Gentle touch supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, helping to reduce inflammation and improve immune function.
Balancing the Craniosacral Rhythm – In craniosacral therapy, delicate hands-on techniques support the movement of cerebrospinal fluid, enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct and heal. This touch can be anywhere on the body as the rhythm can be felt globally through the fluids and the tissues.

Emotional and Spiritual Benefits of Gentle Touch

Beyond the physical benefits, safe touch fosters emotional well-being and deepens our connection to ourselves and others. Many people carry unprocessed emotions or trauma within the tissues and fluids of the body, often manifesting as tension, anxiety, or chronic pain. When touch is applied with intention, it can create a profound sense of being seen, held, and supported—sometimes in ways words cannot express.

This is especially important in a world where so many feel isolated. Safe touch reminds us that we are not alone, that we are worthy of care, and that healing happens in connection.

Bringing More Gentle Touch into Your Life

You don’t have to be a therapist to offer or receive the benefits of healing touch. Simple acts—like placing a hand on your heart, offering a mindful hug, or resting a hand on a loved one’s shoulder—can have a powerful impact. Also breathing slowly and deeply with mindful gentle touch can be soothing as well.

If you’re seeking a deeper experience of healing through touch, craniosacral therapy provides a safe, non-invasive approach that honors the body’s wisdom and innate ability to heal.

Your body is always listening. How will you speak to it today?

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps you Feel Relaxed and Connected

by SharonHartnett | Mar 5, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy

Melt Away Stress & Reconnect: How Craniosacral Therapy Helps Your Body to feel Relaxed

In our fast-paced world, stress, tension, and overwhelm can take a serious toll on our bodies and minds. Many of us long for a way to release tension, feel deeply connected to ourselves, and experience true relaxation. Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle yet profound healing modality that offers just that—a doorway to deep relaxation, embodiment, and balance.

What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch therapy that works with the body’s natural rhythms to release tension and restore balance. Rooted in osteopathic medicine, CST focuses on the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. By gently manipulating this system, CST practitioners help encourage the body’s self-healing abilities, leading to profound feelings of being relaxed and realignment.

The Power of Embodiment and Stress Relief

One of the most powerful aspects of craniosacral therapy is its ability to guide you back into your body. In our modern lives, we often operate from a state of disconnection—living in our minds, caught up in stress, and unaware of the subtle signals our bodies are sending us. CST brings you back into a state of embodiment, where you can fully inhabit your body with ease and presence.

Through this gentle therapy, deep-seated stress patterns begin to dissolve. The nervous system shifts out of the fight-or-flight response and into a state of rest and healing. This allows the body to unwind, releasing stored tension and facilitating deep relaxation. Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, relaxed, and more at peace after a session—like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps You Feel Connected and Relaxed

Craniosacral therapy doesn’t just relax the body—it helps restore a deep sense of connection. This connection manifests in multiple ways:

Relaxed Connection to Self: By quieting the mind and relaxing the body, CST helps you tune into your own needs, emotions, and sensations. Many people report a deepened awareness of their inner world, leading to greater self-understanding and clarity.
Connection to the Present Moment: The subtle, meditative nature of CST brings you into the now. Instead of being caught in the past or future, you can fully experience the present moment—where healing and transformation occur.
Connection to the Flow of Life: Many people describe CST as an experience of deep surrender—letting go of control and trusting the innate wisdom of the body. This often translates into a greater sense of ease and flow in everyday life.

What to Expect in a Craniosacral Therapy Session

A typical session takes place in a quiet, soothing environment. You remain fully clothed while the practitioner uses gentle, hands-on techniques to assess and release restrictions in your craniosacral system. The experience is deeply relaxing, and many people feel a profound sense of well-being both during and after the session.

Is Craniosacral Therapy Right for You?

CST is beneficial for a wide range of people, from those dealing with chronic stress and anxiety to individuals recovering from injuries or trauma. It is especially effective for headaches, neck and back pain, sleep disturbances, and nervous system imbalances.

If you’re looking for a holistic way to relieve stress, feel more embodied, and reconnect with yourself, craniosacral therapy may be the perfect solution. A single session can leave you feeling lighter, more aligned, and deeply relaxed—ready to move through life with greater ease and presence.

Ready to experience the profound benefits of craniosacral therapy? Book a session today and step into a more relaxed, connected, and balanced version of yourself!

For a Free 15 minute Phone Consultation, call Sharon Hartnett CST-D:

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Find out more about the Upledger Institute at www.upledger.com

How to Best Express Your Emotions Effectively

by SharonHartnett | Feb 9, 2025 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, fear, grounding, healing, Healthy Body

The Transformation of Raw Emotions Into Emotional Intelligence

Speaking to Neurodivergence

Living with a neurodivergent mind can come with a range of emotions and challenges. As each individual is unique, this can show up in many ways. When I speak of neurodivergence, I am referring to those of us who cognitively process information differently than neurotypical thinkers. This can include:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Unique social communication challenges, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors. I recommend the Telepathy Tapes to learn more about this.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Features of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Dyslexia: Difficulty with language skills, especially reading.
Dyscalculia: Difficulty with performing basic arithmetic.
Dyspraxia: Issues related to physical coordination.
Tourette’s Syndrome: Involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations.
Down’s Syndrome: Genetic disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays.

Stress, in particular, among neurodivert people may play a big part in keeping neurodivergent thinkers feeling isolated and alone. Our feelings, emotions, and expressions can easily be misunderstood or misinterpreted. However, as we learn to understand our raw and vulnerable selves better, and also as more people learn to understand and accept people who seem different, for the whole, it allows for more diversity and creativity. We each have our gifts as well. Neurodivergent thinkers can actually be super creative out of the box thinkers, and help come up with innovate ideas to help resolve problems.

Common issues with Emotions with Neurodivergence:

Social Anxiety

I know that sometimes just being in the same space as other people alerts the nervous system into hypersensitivity. A neurodivergent person could end up feeling sensory overload when they detect conflict or too much energy around them. Maybe it is pressure to perform or to look like everyone else. Maybe coming up with words to communicate is hard. In this case, the healing response might be to ground or to limit overstimulation so that we can feel safe in our emotions.

Time Management

It may be difficult to keep focused or on schedule. People may become impatient or uncomfortable if they don’t understand or feel at ease with the boundaries and patterns which are unfamiliar. Especially with procrastination. It’s easy for people to think we are lazy or that we don’t want to partipate, or do the work. For healing, it’s important to realize that everyone is organized differently and healthy processing time for some may be to do nothing until ready to make the next move.

Self Blame

It’s easy to blame oneself when others who are neurotypical don’t understand why we don’t have the same social cues or regulation. Many neurodivergent people might believe they are the problem, when actually they are not. They are just different. It’s vital they they are reflected back as valuable in their authenticity and contributions. They should not have to “mask” in order to be accepted or valued. Once we all see the light in each other, the more the Whole can evolve.

Emotional Woundings

Neurodivergent individuals can feel emotionally chaotic at time. Their experiences may feel more hightened, and they don’t know the best way to respond. It’s important that they find supportive people to help them to understand. In today’s world, sometime emotions get a bad wrap. I’d suggest that many neurodivergent thinkers are actually more emotionally mature if they decide to work through what comes up for them. They have to work and move through so much more. It’s an art and a skill to relate when it doesn’t come easily.

Physically

They may need more rest and down time to integrate with introspection.

Unique Communication Styles

While neurodivergent people may not always communicate in ways that others expect, their style can bring fresh insights or directness. For example, individuals on the autism spectrum might be incredibly honest and straightforward, offering clarity in situations where others might shy away from being so direct.

Being good at understanding and managing emotions can be a challenge for neurotypical thinkers. However, with healthy support, they can learn how to deal with life and make better decisions based on their unique perspectives in life. Being mindful, as we learn to stay more in the moment, and get to know ourselves, moving from stress to emotional intelligence moves us and humanity forward. We are all in this thing called humanity together.

If you are interested in a body centered therapy to help you to ground, feel more embodied and integrated, check out the Upledger Institute for a therapist near you.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Fascia: The Hands On Treatment that Changes Everything

by SharonHartnett | Jan 21, 2025 | better posture, craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, grounding, healthy, Healthy Body, Structural Integration, upledger institute

Getting Manual Work With Your Fascia supports Overall Health and Wellbeing

About 1-2 years ago, I listened to a podcast about the “Interstitium”. Perhaps you have never heard of it. It is a fairly new term. And we know that sometimes it takes time for a new idea to come take hold. So, I thought I’d give the Interstitium and Fascia work a little boost out here on the web. So here we are.

Let’s begin by defining Fascia and it’s relationship to the Interstitium.

Fascia is a type of tissue that looks like a web inside your body. If you could imagine that underneath your skin there is a living matrix wetsuit superficially. This fascia tissue travels deeper and through almost everything in the human body: around bones, organs and it basically holds us all together. In your mind, if you could continue to see it-and sense into it, you’ understand it as a strong elastic type of material that stretches and connects throughout. Fascia is made up out of elastin, collagen and ground substances.

The interstitium is a relatively new area of study in manual therapy. It’s a vast network of fluid-filled spaces that surround cells and tissues, and it plays a key role in how fluids move through the body. By working with both the fascia and the interstitium, therapists can support the movement of these fluids and encourage more efficient flow, which can help the body recover from injury, decrease inflammation, and promote overall health.

This integrated approach, which addresses both the connective tissue (fascia) and the surrounding fluid networks (interstitium), helps create a more holistic, balanced experience for the body. The combination of fluid dynamics and fascial release is what makes manual therapy working with the fascia and interstitium so powerful and restorative.

How Does a Manual Therapist Work with the fascia and Interstitium?

1. It’s key to work slowly and gently whether the therapist does Craniosacral Therapy, Myfascial Release or Deeper Structural Integration. The connected touch feels like a deep stretch, lengthening and spreading vitality to the surrounding tissues. When the therapist listens, the fascia will always lead to the easiest way to unwind and free of movement and space.

2. It’s also quite common for people to feel more fluidity with fascial work. This is where the instertitium comes in because it allows motion and enhances functioning.

3. Manual Fascial Therapy often releases deep tension patterns. Here is where some of the therapies may vary in approach. With Ida Rolf’s work, generally the touch is more assertive. The other end of the spectrum is gentle, light touch Craniosacral Therapy.

4. You may gain greater awareness of your body. Touch is a great way to mirror back the sensations in your body. You may feel a greater sense of connection to the many internal influences that optimize your body’s health and wellness.

5. The effects of fascial work is profound. You may walk away feeling so calm and peaceful. Often people feel more balanced inside but also in how their body stacks up. This can mean better grounding and use of movement. When the fascia is better organized, it is more efficient in everything it does. With muscles but also in promoting organ health too with mobility and motility.

6. Both the fascia and the interstitium are connected to emotions. For example, when a person experiences a physical or emotional trauma, that may hold in the tissues and contract to protect. While this is super efficient short-term it’s important to find balance and length again so misalignments don’t compensate permanently.

7. If you want to feel more at home in your body, fascia and interstitum work can help you reach your goals. It’s always best to optimize what you have.

A little bit about Sharon Hartnett (author):

I studied Massage in the 1990’s. Later studying Ida Rolf’s work at the Institute for Structural Integration. Later in the early 2000’s I got turned on to Craniosacral Therapy. Truly I love both of these approaches to keep the fascial body healthy. One (SI) is definately a stronger approach. However, the Craniosacral Therapy is so gentle that body is more apt to work more effectively. It doesn’t fight any of the technique. More recently, I have studied Visceral Manipulation at the Barral Institute for about the last 10 years. This looks at the organs and the tissues connecting and surrounding. Mobilizing the tissues can actually help the organs to functure better. So all this work is vital to keep peope healthy. Getting unstuck nourishes the body and cleans up what no longer needs to be held. I love this work!

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

7 Ways That Craniosacral Therapy Has Helped My Clients Feel Better

by SharonHartnett | Jan 19, 2025 | craniosacral, Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, mindfulness, stillpoint

Craniosacral Therapy Benefits

Many people report positive experiences with craniosacral therapy (CST), although the reasons for these experiences can vary. The therapy is often described as being deeply relaxing, and some individuals find it helpful for conditions like headaches, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and even emotional release. Overall, Craniosacral Therapy is a unique holistic healing journey that holds many benefits.

Here are some of the most commonly reported positive experiences:

1. Deep Relaxation and Stress Relief

Many people find CST to be deeply calming. The gentle, hands-on approach, combined with the melding of the slow, rhythmic nature of the therapy, helps to activate the body’s relaxation response in the Nervous System.. This can lead to a reduction in stress, muscle tension, and a sense of overall well-being.
People often describe feeling more relaxed after a session, with some even reporting feeling “lighter and more spaceious inside” along with being more grounded.

2.Chronic Pain Relief

Some individuals with chronic pain conditions, such as neck pain, migraines, or back pain, have found relief through CST. The gentle listening and the quiet nudge of support of the Craniosacral System can help alleviate tension in the body and promote the relaxation of muscles and fascia.
Patients with headaches, particularly those caused by tension or stress, sometimes report fewer headaches or a reduction in intensity after CST sessions.

3. Improved Sleep

Many people say they experience better sleep after receiving CST, which could be related to the relaxation and stress reduction achieved during the session. Improved sleep quality may help individuals feel more rested and energized in the days following a treatment. Sleep time is when the brain clears, so it’s important to also create good sleeping habits.

4. Enhanced Emotional Well-being

Some people have reported emotional releases or breakthroughs during Somato-Emotional CST sessions. For instance, some might experience a surge of emotions or have a deeper sense of emotional clarity after a session. This could is related to the deep relaxation and the subtle bodywork when fascial tension leaves and the cranial rhythm comes to a stillpoint, which may help release pent-up tension or emotional blockages.
There are anecdotal reports of people feeling more emotionally balanced or having improved mood after CST, especially if they were struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional trauma.

5. Better Range in Mobility

For those with musculoskeletal issues, CST can help improve mobility and range of motion, particularly in areas where there is stiffness or restriction. People with conditions like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction or postural imbalances may notice improved flexibility or reduced stiffness after CST. Higher level Craniosacral Therapist who are trained in mouthwork can work through an Upledger protocol or listen and follow the tissues and the rhythm to unwind and come into a more neutral balance. It helps restore structural integrity in the cranium.

6. General Sense of Feeling Well

Proactive health is best! Even those without specific pain or medical concerns often report feeling an increased sense of well-being after CST. The treatment is described as calming and restorative, which might be why it is commonly sought out by people looking to simply relax or promote general health.

7. Support for Emotional and/or Physical Healing

CST has been reported by some as a helpful adjunct to traditional medical treatments, especially in cases of trauma recovery or long-term health challenges. Individuals with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have sometimes found CST to provide a supportive, calming influence in their healing process.

Why Do People Report These Positive Experiences?

It’s interesting. In the western medical system, there is not a strong understanding of fascia and the Craniosacral System. Some people deny it with the idea of the Placebo effect. Afterall, most Craniosacral Therapist are heart centered caring people who pay compassionate attention to their clients. Maybe this is part of it. But isn’t this true with most kinds of medical treatment and and medicines. It works for some people but not all. Integrative Craniosacral Therapy is an experience. However, it is based on real anatomy and physiology, just like any medical treatment. It’s just a hands on manual approach, which happens to be profound and far reaching. It’s very individualized as it supports your unique system to heal.

The Relaxation Response: The slow, gentle nature of CST can activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the rest-and-digest response. This can lead to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, helping people feel more relaxed and at ease.

Therapeutic Touch: Human touch, particularly when it’s gentle and non-invasive, can have profound psychological and physiological effects. The experience of being listened to and cared for, in combination with physical touch, might trigger a sense of healing or comfort. How many times in our past were our real needs met, and how do we change our body response to this type of connection?

Holistic Approach: CST emphasizes a holistic view of health, considering the interconnections between the body, mind, and emotions. This approach resonates with some people who feel that their health concerns are not only physical but also emotional or energetic. CST’s focus on balancing and restoring the body’s natural rhythms may appeal to those looking for a more integrated, whole-body form of healing. When we work 1:1 in Craniosacral Therapy, there is a special connection between the therapist and the nervous system of the person on the table. It’s a process of healing everything in us that is human. Everyting is indeed interconnected.

There are a lot of questions in the medical field about Craniosacral Therapy. In a system that is based on what we can see, and mostly on the physical level, it’s hard for people to imagine that listening to the body and helping it to self-correct is not realistic. Nonetheless, if you open your mind up, there are so many other possibilies in the Unknown. Why limit your beliefs about healing?

On a Realistic Note

Realistically, Craniosacral Therapy can feel magical. Deep transformation and healing happens quite often. At the same time, honestly some people don’t “get it”. It does take a certain ability and awareness to receive and to trust enough to sense the changes that are happening. Even still, as a therapist, we can feel things even if you can. But I want people to realize that while this work is profound, it takes a certain sensitivity to understand and know the benefits. However- most people feel more deeply relaxed and appreciate at the end of treatment.

If you have any more questions, I offer a free 15 phone consultation. I would love to speak and help you find if this is the right treatment for you.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111 or cell: 703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

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