by SharonHartnett | Jun 9, 2015 | Craniosacral Therapy, Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
One of the chronic physical conditions that benefits best in the world of manual therapy is the lessening of pain for clients by helping to loosen direct and indirect soft tissue restrictions.
In my practice, I have found two areas of massage therapy that have consistently proven to help increase range of motion and to relax the musculatures and other internal systems so that the body can fall back into its natural alignment: 1. working directly with the musculature and 2. also by focusing on fascial tissue.
Most people who have received basic massage know what it feels like to have a muscle worked. You go in and you feel either light or deep pressure going inward and moving in a certain directions. That can feel wonderful. Your circulation increases, stress melts away, and the lymph system works more efficiently, all with an hour of massage. But if you want longer lasting structural change, the fascial component of the work can create longer lasting shifts and release bones and other adhesions that hinder good flexibility. This feels very different in quality when receiving because the intention is to work with this web of tissue that contains and runs through almost everything in the body. Either using fingers, the hand, or an elbow, the practitioner enters the fascial system and helps it to stretch or unwind so that the client can move more freely. She can work with the bones, the viscera wrappings, and all the contents either directly or indirectly while inviting the client to move certain ways to find length and movment. As one point or section is released, the rest of the body feels he tautness let go too, even if on an unconscious level. Everything is connected in the body and the fascia is key into bringing balance throughout the whole structure.
The New Frontier in Pain Relief!t
In the quiet of the body there is nourishment. At the same time, the body also needs to move from the cellular level to the larger systems to stay healthy. Deep myofascial work can do wonders to help you accomplish this by touching into stuck places and releasing old patterns. Through therapies like Craniosacral Therapy with a light touch or Ida Rolf’s 10 Session protocol for Structural Integration, fascial work will bring balance and lightness back into your step!
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, SI
Columbus, Ohio
703 509-1792
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 | Apr 7, 2015 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K
Myofascial Release therapy is focused on the attention given to improving the posture and flexibility in the body.
Who can benefit from this type of work?
Myofascial Massage is very beneficial for chronic pain issues, body imbalances, as well as people suffering from stiffness and lack of range of motion. Working with the fascia can help those with autism, people who have experienced trauma and others living with arthritis. No matter what sport you play or activity in which you engage, athletes who are wanting to improve their performance by finding better length in lines and movement often find enhanced performance. In my practice, I have seen myofascial work truly helps people to feel more energized and in tune with their functionality.
Myofascial Release
How is myofascial massage different than typical swedish massage?
This type of work is definitely different than typical massage. When working with fascia, the massage therapist does not use a lubricant. This is so we can differentiate between the layers of fascia to unravel and and help release restrictions in the tissues and along the spine. The goal is to stretch and loosen the body so that all the organs and other structures can let go in their most optimal and relaxed position. Many times clients say that this work last longer. They feel dramatically different, especially after a 10 series of Structural Integration.
How does Myofascial Work help specifically with Sports Performance?
In regards to Sports Performance, myofascial release can help give athletes that extra edge. Often when people train hard, they can get into repetitive habits. By touching into the various different fascial planes of the fascial web, the body opens to newer movements throughout. There is a functional and structural connection between all of the body’s soft and hard tissues. By addressing the whole body, motion gains better relationship to gravity again and again. Athletes young and old can benefit from myofascial work.
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST, Si
Columbus, Ohio
740 966-5153
by SharonHartnett | Oct 9, 2014 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Structural Integration by Ida Rolf, is not the most mild type of bodywork.
It’s not meant to be…
Evolution
The ten sessions are intended to help clients to find better alignment in relationship to gravity. Not only in standing or quiet poses, but also in movement. The idea is to help people find more fluidity, flexibility and range of motion through effective touch and thorough manipulation.
One thing that is important to address, is that this type of work often gets labeled as being uncomfortable. With Ida Rolf’s work- in most cases, as pain is sometimes encountered and touched, clients will feel things that have been avoided. It’s natural for people to compensate when they have injuries or emotional patterns holding them out of alignment. As such, as things open, deeper sensations do occur. However, if a professional and respectful dialogue is kept, the session can weather the storm with proper care and efficient contact. With healthy touch, the work can go slowly at the client’s rate and comfort level. During and after the sessions, clients will often be surprised at how they can feel grounded into their bodies and the earth both energetically and physically in a whole new way.
One of the biggest considerations when deciding if Structural Integration is right for you, is to ask yourself if you are looking for a pleasurable massage session or a more long-term and holistic approach. Some clients enjoy light touch effleurage massage. It can feel warm, invigorating and healing. On the opposite side of the spectrum though, the Ida Rolf Structural Integration type of work focuses on the ability to work deeper without working harder. A good Structural Integration Therapist will apply pressure to touch into the different levels of the fascial web to help you unwind and lengthen dysfunctional patterns. The fascia softens and hydrates allowing time to awaken and integrate.
Without question, at Lighten Up Therapies, our goal is to help you to achieve your goals for your health and wellbeing.
If you would like a free 15 minute telephone consultation with Sharon Hartnett LMT, please give her a call at: (740) 966-5153
http://www.massageincolumbusohio.com/structural-integration/
by SharonHartnett | Jul 24, 2014 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K, Structural Integration
Allow Structural Integration to help you to find your breath and breathe freely again.
Breathing is actually more than bringing air into the lungs and then expelling it out. While breath is the primary life force in sustaining life, it is also a natural massager of the most internal areas of your body. When you breath in, the strong diaphragm moves and the ribcage and everything within is in a state of constant expanding and contracting. Gases and circulation are being engaged. Fluids are rushing through the veins and arteries. The wave of movement can actually reach down to the tips of your toes which you can experience if you take the time to be mindful of breath and its’ far reaching capacity to nourish life. The body is a miracle and unlabored smooth breath can keep you healthy.
Positives of Healthy Breath- sleeping better, reducing the effects of high blood pressure, when there are good levels of oxygen in the system-cancer finds it more difficult to live, anxiety and depression can be relieved with fuller deeper breathing. The heart is supported when there is less tension with the ribcage. People who practice yoga and breathing techniques feel more connected between the mind body & spirit to name a few.
One of the best things you can do to open up the breath is receive work that lengthens and softens the surrounding fascia around the ribcage and and by releasing any restrictions nearby. Gentle and more detailed work with the connective tissue under and on the ribs allows more movement and freedom and relief is often experienced. Often ribs get stuck or moved our of alignment and when freed up, global pain in all parts of the body can diminish dramatically too. With just one session of Structural Integration or diaphragm releases, you should feel more centered, healthier and flexible.
Freedom Within
To find out more benefits of finding your breath, check out Dr. Weil’s recommendation for mindful breath:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00521/three-breathing-exercises.html
Sharon Hartnett LMT
Columbus Ohio
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
