614 653-8111 Sharhartnett@aol.com
Still Hurting After an Accident? Craniosacral Therapy May Help You Recover

Still Hurting After an Accident? Craniosacral Therapy May Help You Recover

Craniosacral therapist using light touch to help a woman recover from injury-related headaches and tension"

Find Help with a Craniosacral Therapist after head trauma. Written by Sharon Hartnett CST-D Columbus, Ohio

If you’ve been in a car accident, taken a hard fall, or suffered a head injury, you might still be feeling the effects—long after the moment has passed.

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. experience accidents that leave invisible marks. Car crashes. Ladder falls. Horseback riding injuries. Some walk away feeling lucky—until the symptoms start creeping in.

Lingering headaches. Jaw tension. Brain fog. Dizziness. Chronic neck and back pain. For many, these symptoms don’t show up right away—and when they do, conventional medicine may not offer full relief.

That’s where Craniosacral Therapy (CST) comes in.


? Accidents Are More Common Than You Think

  • Over 6 million car accidents happen in the U.S. every year. Even minor fender benders can cause whiplash or head injuries.

  • 500,000+ people are injured annually in ladder falls.

  • Horseback riding leads to 100,000+ injuries a year—many involving the head, neck, or spine.

While emergency care addresses broken bones and life-threatening trauma, many people are left with unresolved tension or dysfunction that lingers long after the body appears “healed.”


? Traditional Medicine Offers Essential—But Sometimes Incomplete—Relief

After an accident, most people turn to:

  • Pain relievers (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants)

  • Physical therapy

  • Rest or immobilization

  • Imaging and diagnostics (MRIs, CT scans)

These treatments are critical. But for people experiencing post-concussion symptoms, chronic headaches, or nervous system overload, the path to recovery can feel frustratingly slow—or stalled.

Migraines, tension headaches, jaw pain (like TMJ), and hypersensitivity can persist long after scans show “nothing wrong.”


? Craniosacral Therapy: A Gentle Support for Deeper Healing

Craniosacral Therapy works with your body’s natural rhythm to release tension stored in the central nervous system. Using a light, therapeutic touch—no more than the weight of a nickel—a trained CST practitioner listens to subtle patterns in the body and helps unwind areas of restriction or shock.

CST may help:

  • Reduce headaches and migraines

  • Ease neck and jaw tension after whiplash

  • Support post-concussion recovery

  • Calm the fight-or-flight response

  • Improve sleep, mood, and focus

Unlike forceful manipulations or invasive treatments, CST creates a safe space where your nervous system can reset and self-correct—especially helpful when trauma is still “held” in the tissues.


? What the Research Says

A growing body of studies supports CST’s role in pain and trauma recovery:

  • One clinical trial showed reduced pain and frequency of migraines after CST compared to traditional massage.

  • Case studies report improvements in post-concussion symptoms, including dizziness, fogginess, and neck pain.

  • CST has been shown to help with cervicogenic headaches, which are often related to trauma in the neck area.

While more large-scale research is needed, evidence suggests CST can be an effective complementary therapy to traditional medical care—especially when symptoms persist beyond the acute phase.


? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

Healing takes time. Especially after trauma.

It’s normal to feel frustrated when you’re not getting answers—or when others say “you should be fine by now.”

Craniosacral Therapy offers another way.   With a Craniosacral Therapist who meets your body where it is, listens deeply, and supports you gently back into balance.


? Ready to Explore a Different Path?

If you’re still hurting after an accident, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Your body may just need the right kind of support to fully let go of what it’s been holding.

Reach out today to learn how Craniosacral Therapy can help you reconnect, recover, and reclaim your sense of well-being.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

For more answers to questions, go to Craniosacral Therapist Columbus Ohio

 


How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work?

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work?

What is Craniosacral Therapy Columbus Ohio?

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work: A Gentle Approach to Deep Healing


By Sharon Hartnett, CST-D | Craniosacral Therapist in Worthington & Columbus, Ohio

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, headaches, or tension that won’t go away, you may want to consider Craniosacral Therapy (CST). This gentle but powerful bodywork helps your body release deep patterns of stress by working directly with the central nervous system.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is a hands-on technique that uses light touch—often no more than the weight of a nickel. It works with the craniosacral system, which includes the membranes, bones, and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

The goal is to support your body’s ability to self-correct by relieving restrictions around the brain, spinal cord, and fascia (the body’s connective tissue).

How Does Craniosacral Therapy Work in the Body?

A skilled CST therapist gently assesses the rhythm and movement of the craniosacral system, using techniques to encourage balance and release. Areas of focus often include:

  • Cranial bones and sutures (especially helpful for TMJ and headaches)

  • Spinal segments and sacrum (important for lower back and pelvic issues)

  • Fascial restrictions throughout the body

  • The dural tube (which protects your spinal cord)

  • The vagus nerve (key for calming the nervous system)

  • The diaphragm Release (opening the body)
  • 10 step protocol (Using a structured listening plan and addressing key areas)

By enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and relieving pressure around the brainstem and nervous system, Craniosacral Therapy promotes deep relaxation, pain relief, and emotional release.

Who Can Benefit from CST?

Many people in Columbus and Worthington, Ohio come to craniosacral therapy for help with:

  • Chronic pain and tension

  • TMJ and jaw problems

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Anxiety and emotional stress

  • Post-surgical recovery

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Digestive or pelvic issues

A Safe, Non-Invasive Therapy

Because it’s so gentle, CST is safe for people of all ages—from newborns to older adults. Each session is personalized and supportive of your body’s healing needs.


Ready to Experience Craniosacral Therapy in Worthington or Columbus?


With nearly 30 years of experience and the highest level of certification, I offer sessions that combine anatomical precision with compassionate care. If you’re looking for a natural, non-invasive way to reconnect with your body and release tension, I invite you to book a session today.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D

614 653-8111

FAQ Page


Relieve Headache Pain with Craniosacral Therapy

Relieve Headache Pain with Craniosacral Therapy

Headache Pain Relief with Craniosacral Therapy

Find Headache Relief with an Upledger Certified Craniosacral Therapist…

Local Columbus Ohio Craniosacral Therapist:  Sharon Hartnett CST-D

Experience Lasting Headache Relief with Craniosacral Therapy

Headaches can disrupt your day, leaving you reaching for painkillers and wondering if relief will ever come. Craniosacral therapy offers a gentle, non-invasive approach to headache relief by addressing the root causes of tension and imbalance. Rather than simply masking symptoms, this holistic headache treatment works with your body’s natural rhythms to restore balance, calm the nervous system, and reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.

What Is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a light-touch manual therapy that focuses on the craniosacral system—the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. During a session, a certified therapist uses subtle manipulations to:

  • Release tension around the head, neck, and spine

  • Enhance cerebrospinal fluid flow, supporting detoxification

  • Balance the central nervous system, reducing stress-triggered headaches

How Craniosacral Therapy Helps with Headaches

  1. Tension Release
    Many headaches stem from tight muscles and restricted connective tissue. CST gently eases tension around the cranial bones and surrounding fascia, alleviating pressure that contributes to headaches.

  2. Stress Reduction
    By promoting deep relaxation, Craniosacral Therapy for migraines helps reset your body’s stress response, calming the fight-or-flight reaction that can trigger chronic headaches.

  3. Improved Fluid Dynamics
    Optimizing cerebrospinal fluid circulation supports nutrient delivery and waste removal in the brain, which can reduce headache frequency and intensity naturally.

Why Choose Craniosacral Therapy for Headache Relief?

  • Safe & Non-Invasive: Perfect for all ages, including children and seniors

  • Drug-Free Pain Management: Avoid potential side effects of medications

  • Personalized Care: Treatments are tailored to your unique craniosacral rhythm

  • Long-Term Results: Many clients report lasting improvements in headache frequency and quality of life

Ready to Discover Natural Headache Relief?

Don’t let headaches hold you back. Schedule a craniosacral therapy session today and experience the difference of a truly holistic headache treatment. Your body already knows how to heal—let us help you unlock its potential.

Call Sharon Hartnett at 703 509-1792 for a Free Phone Consultation.  Find out more about Craniosacral Therapy at: My home Page or  The Upledger Institute

How to Release Stress from Your Body: 10 Proven Techniques for Immediate Relief

Feel Better with Craniosacral Therapy

Finding Balance with the 10 step protocol: How Craniosacral Therapy Supports Nervous System Healing and give you Relief.

When healing from concussions, persistent headaches, migraines, or traumatic brain injuries, finding relief can feel like an endless journey. Craniosacral therapy offers a gentle yet powerful approach to supporting your nervous system’s natural healing process. Let me share how this subtle but effective technique may help you find the balance your body seeks.

Understanding Your Body’s Healing Rhythm

Your craniosacral system—the membranes and fluid that surround your brain and spinal cord—has its own natural rhythm. After head trauma or neurological stress, this delicate system can become restricted, potentially contributing to ongoing symptoms and discomfort.

Craniosacral therapy works by using gentle touch—typically no more than the weight of a nickel—to detect and release these restrictions. By tuning into your body’s subtle rhythms, a skilled therapist helps restore flow and balance to your central nervous system.

Supporting Recovery from Head Injuries.

After a concussion or TBI, your brain needs optimal conditions to heal. The gentle nature of craniosacral therapy makes it particularly suitable for those with head injuries, where even slight pressure can sometimes trigger symptoms.

Many clients report improvements in several areas:

  • Reduced headache frequency and intensity
  • Decreased sensitivity to light and sound
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Enhanced mental clarity and focus
  • Reduced anxiety and stress responses

Breaking the Cycle of Migraines and Chronic Headaches

For those suffering from recurring migraines or tension headaches, craniosacral therapy addresses potential root causes rather than just managing symptoms. By releasing restrictions in the cranial bones, neck, and spine, this therapy helps reduce pressure on sensitive nerves and improves cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

The result? Many experience fewer headaches with less reliance on medication.

Creating Space for Healing to help you find Relief.

What makes craniosacral therapy unique is its respect for your body’s innate wisdom. Rather than forcing change, your therapist creates a safe environment where your nervous system can shift from “fight or flight” to “rest and repair” mode—essential for true healing to occur.

This gentle approach is particularly valuable for those whose systems are already overwhelmed by pain or trauma. The sessions themselves often provide immediate relief, with many clients reporting a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

Finding the Right Practitioner to help you have relief from pain and stress.

The effectiveness of craniosacral therapy depends significantly on your practitioner’s skill and experience, particularly when dealing with neurological conditions. Look for therapists with specialized training in treating concussions and neurological issues, and don’t hesitate to ask about their experience with your specific condition.

If you’re struggling with the effects of head trauma, persistent headaches, or migraines, consider adding craniosacral therapy to your recovery toolkit. This gentle approach might be the missing piece in your healing journey, helping your nervous system find its way back to balance and well-being.

Is A Head Massage Different Than Craniosacral Therapy?

Is A Head Massage Different Than Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapist Columbus

Head Massage Feels Great!

Imagine warm hands offering head massage after a stressful day. It feels wonderful creating better circulation and helping the soft tissues relax.

Even better though, when your head hurts, or you are suffering post concussion symptoms, Craniosacral Therapy is the better bet. In a Craniosacral Therapy session, you are going to have a Craniosacral Therapist listen to all the internal motions and work with the restrictions going on in your head, as well as your body at a much deeper level.

That’s right, an experienced Certified Craniosacral Therapist can listen and follow the patterns throughout the whole system by placing our hands in one place and listening intently. The amazing thing is the body shows us through the Craniosacral System where there is dysfunction and how to help achieve integration.

This is primarily done by noticing and working with the sutures and allowing our hands to follow the patterns and rhythm into releasing from superficially to the deeper issues.  This can be exceptionally helpful for people with migraines, headaches, and who have hit their head.

The gentle biomechanical light pressure we use, gives small nudges to create deeper flow throughout the brain. It’s almost like an unwinding of disconnected communication patterns inside the head.  Allowing more space and dialogue. Beyond this, it affects the whole body and nervous system through all the interconnections.  When the brain is feeling healthy, the body does as well.

Head Massage can feel great.  Especially if someone focuses on their massage this way and becomes an expert.  Comparatively, a Certified Craniosacral Therapy learns about the cranium, the mouthwork, the different parts of the brain and nervous system and more.  Helping to create better motion in the brain, and throughout the whole body by working with the craniosacral system can alleveiate so many challenging symptoms.  Truly, it helps the whole body to heal itself.

Sharon Hartnett CST-d

Certified through the Upledger Institute

703 509-1792

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com