Why Craniosacral Therapy Works
I could get into the whole Craniosacral System (CS), but that may or may not bore you. Not all people are physiological geeks like I am. But I will say, that by Listening well to this CS rhythmic motion that has a deep inter-relationship with the Nervous system, an experienced therapist can help you way more than you ever imagined.
Just today, I had two clients with so much pain. Unlike massage therapy (which I also do appreciate) I didn’t have to go after muscles or do anything heavy handed. Believe me too when I say many people (who are in pain) who call thinking I do massage, ask for very Deep Massage. I used to ask for and do the same thing with Structural Integration too until I learned better. I stopped doing that because, for me, I found a better way. I am not interested in a strong handed approach. I know there is a way to let go of dysfunctional patterns and to help the body integrate longer term without forcing anything.
Some Massage Therapists are excellent at learning to layer, and to help the body to release myofascially. I have my favorite people who are awesome with this. Full of gratitude for their work. However, from my most profound experience, often the best work is done by listening to the CS rhythm and allowing both the fascia and the CSR to lead to long-term change. Why? Because when gentle hands-on listening follows the body’s own inherent self-correcting direction, there is no need for the body to fight aggressive hands massaging. It focuses on the the fascial system that holds everything together, promoting health and motion. No need for defending when the pain feels to raw or too much. The fascia and CS start to unravel old patterns that are no longer needed organically. No more sessions needed feeling very sore and overstimulated.
Just today, my first client seemed astounded how great she felt after the session. Not really my doing, but my support helped. Her body’s ability to relax and let go when reminded how to did the trick! I reminded her, this is the way you feel when you are not holding tension. This is more the real you, interconnected within yourself with fluidity and healthy structure.
My second client was surprised that her arm pain disappeared when It may not have felt like a lot was happening during the session. Although, I could tell she was deeply relaxed:) Pain does not necessarily go away by forcing one to feel pain that is not ready to let go. Pain may show up even in a gentle session, but only because it feels supported enough to slip away. I wonder sometimes if we want to feel our pain pushed because it’s all we know? But I am here to say there is a new way. Also, sometimes what feels like arthritic pain, is actually fascial restriction. This can change and it can heal. Gentle nourishment may be what is needed for neck and back pain to disappear.
Yes, there is still more to align most of the time, and old patterns need to shift cause life happens, but when someone has vitality and it is tapped into with the CSS, it’s amazing how much a body can heal. We can change our posture, and make choices which help us. Sometimes it takes a long time, but each session brings a new awareness of the “essential self” and that does know how to live in ease. Trusting your own body’s “knowing” is so important. Listening to it and allowing others to listen to it with supportive touch shifts the world inside.
So next time, you are thinking you want deep massage that hurts, ask yourself if you really need that? Or might it be better to learn to live with more gentle interactions that show the body what peace feels like.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

From a manual approach, Vertigo can be helped if it is stemming from a structural issue. I have had clients come in with this issue, and when It began after a physical accident, we have had much success.

Recently, with one client, we figured out that most likely it originated with a childhood accident, and then the heavy lifting consistently at the job also contributed to dizziness. I don’t diagnose, but this is the story the client shared as the pieces came together during our time together.

What I felt during my listening palpation was that there was a lot of motion from side to side, mostly in the neck, but also in the head, and down in the body. One Side of the body was much more muscled than the other. The lateral motion was occurring from the brain all the ways down.

Easy session. All we had to do was find the primary areas to work and to help the body self-correct and self-regulate. The key issue here was in the hyoid bone. Once that released, the whole body began to open up. But its also important that a therapist knows how to work the rest of the anterior neck and the thoracic area as well. I used Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation techniques to help toward resolution.

It’s not always the case that CST will help with Vertigo. But sometimes it is. A good question to always ask, is. “when did the symptoms begin”. If there is a correlation, it may be structural indeed! I also recommend people see a Vestibular Therapist too who has lots of experience, if the challenges come from somewhere else.
Putting a thumbs up for helping people with this uncomfortable condition. Vertigo is not fun.

Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Are you having a difficult time relaxing?

Have you tried everything but your body still feels tense? Craniosacral Therapy may be the ticket for you. When your brain is wired certain triggers can set you off. Stress, when it builds up, or we become oversensitive or overwhelmed easily takes a toll.

Craniosacral Therapy uses gentle touch, and can be quite powerful in helping to reduce anxiety. With the right Craniosacral Therapist, you will remember what it is like to feel healthy boundaries, respect, and actually sense calm again.

As your brain and body start to remember, you can rebuild your sense of confidence and peace. isn’t that worth getting in touch with again.

For more information, call Sharon Hartnett CST-D who is a Diplomate Certified Craniosacral Therapist through the Upledger Institute.

Locations in both Johnstown (right outside of New Albany), and Worthington Ohio

Namaste!

My wish is that people could understand how wonderfully helpful Craniosacral Therapy is in almost every situation: from large to small.

When a person is living in chronic pain, feeling lost, anxious or afraid. What does that person need? What does he or she really need to feel better? In a world that is based on individuality and independence, its easy to forget that we are all part of the whole and completely interconnected. Both iodide our bodies and to everything else in the Universe. The good news for us, is that we are always able to tap into the healing forces that exist at any time, even when we forget or lose touch with our true nature. What this healing looks like as it unfolds we never know, but in the deepest level, we will be changed and feel more deeply connected.

As a Craniosacral Therapist, my number one intention is to listen to the person on my table with my hands, with my heart, and to stay in curiosity with how their Inner Wisdom can help them find their way back to home inside. By melding and blending with the Craniosacral System (CSS), the Central Nervous System gets on board, and lights up the way for self correction and healing. Craniosacral Therapist use a very light touch and trust the body’s ability to heal and know what is best for each person. Sometimes clients can feel this during a session, other times all they can say is that they feel lighter and better at the end of the session or afterwards.

The Craniosacral System consists of the membranes and the fluids around the brain and the spinal cord. The Craniosacral Fluid is constantly being created and reabsorbed back into the blood which creates a flexion and extension movement that can be felt through the body. When a Craniosacral Therapist listen and supports this system, it helps to nourish and balance the CNS and the rest of the body, and helps to remove stress and toxins. Often when this happens, old memories, emotions and sensations arise. Like a wave, the person rides through and the tissues, soften, relax and hydrate The fascia finds new vitality and promotes better health through the continuous tissues within.

If you would like to find out more about Craniosacral Therapy, you can check out the Upledger Institute. Dr. John Upledger created the Institute many years ago, and his osteopathic approach to healing has spread across the world with much success. If you live in the Columbus Ohio area, I offer free 15 minute phone consultations and would be happy to address any of your questions at 740 966-5153.

Warmly, Sharon Hartnett CST-D

I could get into the physiology of the body to explain why Craniosacral Therapy helps alleviate anxiety. Instead, I want to talk about gentle touch and listening.

What I have noticed with many of my clients who have anxiety, is that often 1: They were not held much in safe arms. 2. They were in environments where there was lot of verbal and physical abuse. 3. They weren’t allowed to express how they felt. 4. Some type of abrupt trauma occurred.

Most of us have heard of the autonomic response of fight or flight? There is a chain reaction of many responses the body does to protect. And when there isn’t an opportunity to process stressful events, a person often holds the energy of the event/s that brought on the fear. What makes this even more difficult, is when the original issue is not cleared, the way a person interacts can create more examples and overlays of the fear and anxie

I think it’s important to ask- what was missing in those times of stress and fear?

Craniosacral Therapy directly addresses that question. First a therapist brings a neutral presence into a session. A place that feels safe and nurturing. Secondly, the therapist listens and melds with the person as they begin to move through a process that was left incomplete. This is done with gentle touch and care, along with techniques that work to balance the Craniosacral System (CSS). When the CSS is function well, it helps to balance the overly sympathetic Nervous System.

When someone is living with anxiety, it’s important to get grounded, to embody, and to feel safe again. This is done through a trusting relationship, that will bring you what was missing in the original situation where there was a real or perceived threat.

If you would like to find out more about how Craniosacral Therapy can help you-if you are experiencing high anxiety, PTSD, or panic attacks, call Sharon Hartnett for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Sharon Hartnett 740 966-5153
www.manssageincolumbusohio.com
740 966-5153