by SharonHartnett | Mar 29, 2013 | Massage, Structural Integration
Looking to find a Massage Therapist for Structural Integration (SI) in Columbus, Ohio?
You have come to the right place. Sharon Hartnett LMT has over 17+ years doing Structural Integration Therapy. In the late 1990’s she found a local Rolfer in Mclean, Virginia who introduced her to the 10 series. She fell in love with the positive postural changes and increased movement in her body that she decided to study Structural Integration herself. She has been providing SI sessions with clients ever since.
Relieve Chronic Pain and Find Better Posture
Learn how Structural Integration Developed
Dr. Ida P. Rolf, a pioneering biochemist began to develop Rolfing in the 1930s after suffering from spinal arthritis. The direction of her work was focused on the role of fascia and unwinding tension patterns around muscles and joints in order to release pain and discomfort. While working in the 1960’s teaching her fascial work at the Esalen Institute in California, the term “Rolfing” was coined. Her original thinking and experience of manipulating the connective tissue brought students from around the world. She taught these practitioners how to support the body to function efficiently so that the force of gravity could flow through and support both the form and functioning. Soon later, the Rolf Institute was found. And as with most great work, different schools have branched out, extending the original work with same intention and yet with individualize perspectives.
Why Structural Integration Therapy?
Structural Integration is a system of bodywork that will encourage the body back into alignment and structural integrity. Clients walk away feeling more freedom in their movement, a sense of lightness, greater flexibility, relief from chronic pain and more energized. The Structural Integration model views the person as a whole that is self-regulation and self-organizing. Between sessions, clients are given exercises to help them continue their work out into the world. the body knows where it needs to go in order to find maximum motion. It just needs to be re-edcuated how to do that so it can relate more optimally in fluidity. After 10 sessions, clients take time to allow the work to continue and integrate with better posture.
Is Structural Integration Uncomfortable?
When you go to visit any type of bodyworker and therapist, it is a good idea to communicate your needs right from the start. The therapist has tools and experience working with clients, but ultimately the client benefits the most by expressing what his/her level of tolerance to pressure. Each person is unique in how they like to be touched. What Sharon does is ask, “If you can feel the sensations and feelings that arise during the session without having to tighten or react, than allow yourself to do that. However, if anything hurts or feels like it is too deep, please say “stop” or “lighten up”. The client’s wishes are always respected. With this said, often the fascia has historically tightened up in areas of the body around dysfunctional patterns. There are time when that tissue is lengthened it will be uncomfortable. Most clients though are so happy with the results and reconnection to their body’s that they return over and over with relief and commitment to themselves.
Is Structural Integration for Me?
Sharon offers free 15 minute telephone consults to answer your questions: (740) 966-5153
Serving the Eastern side of Columbus, Ohio
www.massageincolumbusohio.com
by SharonHartnett | Mar 28, 2013 | Aromatherapy, Massage
Aromatherapy for PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects a great number of woman. For each person, the commencing wave of hormonal changes during the start of ovulation cycle brings a different experience, but what many women find in common is the predictable pattern of mood swings, food cravings, tender breasts,loss of libido, irritability and depression. Let’s face it, PMS doesn’t make a happy few days for the woman going through these swings nor for the people around her.
Nothing has been proven to completely eliminate all of the symptoms of PMS, but there is help. One of the things I recommend is an Aromatherapy Massage. There are essential oils that can be very balancing and comforting during these sensitive times. Depending on whether the moods or symptoms are weepy or angry, bloated or low in energy, a formulated mix can be designed for you. Some of the oils that may be used are: Grapefruit, Rose, Chomile, Nutmeg, Clary-sage, Bergamot, Geranium and Dragon Time™. If you have a Licensed Massage Therapist who has some background in Aromatherapy, call in advanced to see if she can create a unique blend for your symptoms. During the massage, the essential oils can be massaged into your abdomen, lower back, buttocks, chest and hips to relieve discomfort.
One of my favorite blends that clients often like is Dragon Time™. I order it through Young Living Oils, a company selling high grade therapeutic oils. Dragon Time™is a blend of calming and soothing essential oils, including clary sage, which contains natural phytoestrogens, estrogen-like chemicals found in plant foods such as beans, seeds, and grains. It also contains the following oils which are very balancing: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), marjoram (Origanum majorana), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and jasmine (Jasminum officinale).
Alleviating PMS symtoms.
Clients often feel much more relaxed and stable after an aromatherapy massage.
Other strategies that may help relief the stress of PMS:
- Eat less salt to help decrease bloating and fluid build-up.
- Limit sugary and high fat foods
- Eat an overall healthy diet including high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables and calcium-rich foods like low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese.
- Low impact physical activity
- Cut down on caffeine
- Eliminate Alcohol from the diet
- Talk to someone about what you are feeling
While Premenstrual Syndrom is part of life, don’t let it stop you in your tracks. Self-care and attention can only help.
For more information on Aromatherapy Massage in Columbus Ohio, call Sharon Hartnett at: 740 966-5153
by SharonHartnett | Mar 28, 2013 | Aromatherapy, Energy Healing, Massage
What is the Raindrop Therapy?
Raindrop Therapy is a powerful essential oil technique that was developed by D. Gary Young in the 1970s. It combines several holistic modalities to bring balance and alignment to the body with the application of two mixed blended oils and seven single essential oils. The key to Raindrop Therapy’s many benefits is based on the use of aromatherapy, the Vita Flex Technique, and a light enfleurage type of feather massage. By bringing together these elements of the session in a harmonious and energetic combination, the client often feels a deeper connection to core, lengthening along the spine and a stronger energetic alignment.
The Raindrop Technique found its name by the naming of the light raindrop sensations that the client feels as the essential oils are dropped from about 6 inches above. It’s very comforting and those who are aware of the energetic component may even feel the vibration as the drops spill into the human energy field. People often feel a deep sense of relaxation, more joy and inner peace. Not only do client feel better emotionally, but some of the oils are known to hold anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. As the oils are gently massage near the spine, the body immediately benefits as toxins are released, the immune system begins to strengthen and balance, and the person lets go of old stresses and pains.
Which oils are used in the Raindrop Therapy Technique?
Raindrop Technique
• Thyme Essential Oil
• Wintergreen Essential Oil
• Marjoram Essential Oil
* Basil Essential Oil
* Peppermint Essential Oil
• Cypress Essential Oil
* Oregano Essential Oil
• AromaSiez Essential Oil Blend
* Valor Essential Oil
• Ortho Ease Essential Oil Massage Blend
These particular oils offer a blend that integrates the body’s energies and can help align the spine and muscles of the back, help ease cramping and muscle soreness/pain, and are designed to bring physical, mental, and emotional balance to the body.
For more information on essential oils, a great resource is the Young Living Oil Website or “The Complete book of Essential.
At Lighten Up Therapies, we enjoy using the high grade therapeutic Young Living Oils for the Raindrop Therapy.
Sharon Hartnett, LMT
Raindrop Therapy in Columbus, Ohio
(740) 966-5153
by SharonHartnett | Mar 27, 2013 | Massage, Structural Integration
What is so great about Structural Integration (SI)?
You touch into one aspect of the fascia and you are relating to the whole body~ Sharon Hartnett
Structural Integration work is focused on working with the fascia. When a therapist touches into the fascia, she is not only working locally, but on the whole continuous membranous three dimension envelope that covers and transverses through the human body from head to toe.
Ida Rolf’s Structural Integration is a holistic approach to massage and bodywork. All the blood vessels and nerves move through this connective tissue that is composed of mostly collagen and elastin. What this means is that both the circulatory and nervous system are greatly affected by fascial work not only because of the tissues at hands, but also because with just the most gentlest of touch, the whole web is affected on many levels. When there is an injury, compensation, twist or rotation, the body’s fascial system will migrate in the direction of ease and show the therapist what needs to happen to release unhealthy tensions. By following the motion of the whole web under our fingers, the whole body can decompress, unravel, soften, rehydrate and discharge stagnant fluids. At other times, while still listening to the body’s pull, the therapist can move through restrictions until the tissues surrender and allow deeper access. Eventually, with patience and a healthy respect for touch and trusting the body’s intelligence, both the therapist and the client can gain access to the core.
For the client, Structural Integration brings about long-term changes, especially when the client learns to listen to her own body and make new changes. SI helps to reduce chronic pain, increases sports performances, and supports better functioning through changing the the body’s form. The Whole picture approach to Structural Integration is what optimizes the body’s resilience and ability to restore itself and to become reinvigorated.
- The Continuous Fascial Web…
Reach with new length and ease~
Structural Integration has been around the Columbus, area for a few years. Now, Sharon Hartnett LMT is bringing her style of the work locally. If you are interested, please call (740) 966-5153 for a free 15 minute consultation.
Both offices:
Inner Connections
1196 Neil Ave.
Columbus Ohio
and
5564 Mink St.
Johnstown, Ohio
by SharonHartnett | Mar 26, 2013 | Massage, Structural Integration
Ask for Hot Stone Massage…
One of my loves in massage is aligning the body to relate easier in relationship to gravity. I am a big fan of Ida Rolf’s work because she has placed a light on the horizon for massage therapists to help their client’s find better posture. The quote below sums her insight of structure very clearly:
“Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: they are off balance, they are at war with gravity.”
–Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D.
- hot stone massage after a structural integration session feels good…
Structural Integration is such a beautiful modality of massage therapy. It offers opportunities than can’t be found in a basic Swedish massage. It works with lengthening the fascia and restoring structural integrity for more longterm results.
At the same time, while I love the Structural Integration work, it does entail some deep feeling of letting go and touching into resistance. So I like to offer an addition 15 minute massage with hot stones at the end of a massage session to give the body time to integrate and receive what has happened during the session. If you are a person who enjoys hot stone massage, you may request the additional time for $20.00 extra.
