Relax with Safe Hands in Craniosacral Therapy

by SharonHartnett | Apr 22, 2017 | Massage License in Ohio: 33.007505-H-K

Good news! You can Relax again

Do you want to get your mind and body back on track? Find a way to relax again?

Most people who come into my office are looking for help in one of the four following situations:

Chronic Pain
Anxiety
PTSD
Concussions and TBI’s

Craniosacral Therapy in particular seems to address the symptoms associated with these conditions well.

One of the reasons why I became so intrigued with the Craniosacral type of work was that my practice attracted these types of issues, and I wanted to find a way to really connect and serve my clients. It was easy for me to see that many of the people who came in for a massage were feeling tense, and uncomfortable with their bodies. They were feeling stressed and afraid. So the first question I asked myself, was how do I help these people to feel better? And of course- the first thing that seemed necessary was to create a positive and trusting environment that allowed for deep healing.

How did I do start this journey?

I studied massage and bodywork, but also delved into body centered psychotherapy. With 2 years invested in Hakomi and some time studying trauma at SPI, I gained a good understanding of techniques. But I also went and had my own sessions so that I could expand and deepen my experience and hold a more rich and diverse space for clients to open up. I sincerely believe, that the more present we can be with ourselves as facilitators to the healing process, the more we are present for our clients. Furthermore, I studied at the Upledger Institute into the Advanced Levels, as well as going through the Highest Certification possible with them: The Diplomate. For this, I learned their methods on how to work with people on the table who were in need of emotional processing. This work is called SomatoEmotional work.

Some of the common principles that I work with are:

Creating Sacred Space- A place of safety and trust.
Allowing organic process to appear. No forcing or pushing, but rather being in time and space together.
Mindfulness- bringing awareness to the body in a gentle and kind way.
Using light touch that is caring. This allows the defensive patterns to be bypassed to go deeper.
Being aware of healthy boundaries
No giving advice. The Client has their own inner wisdom that can be engaged for self-empowerment.
Listening on various levels. Clients have much to say verbally, but also non-verbally. The body is a crucial aspect of the healing process.
Trusting the tissues, and the dialogue that happens in the silence.
Staying curious and in neutral. This means no judgments.
Keeping the work confidential unless instructed otherwise by client.
Using techniques that are supportive and nourishing.

Relax

Coming into the office, it’s important to find out for each individual, what helps them to relax. Sometimes people with anxiety and PTSD don’t have a clue how to do that. They may be used to living with hyper vigilance, guilt, disassociation, and or intrusive thoughts, just to name a few challenges. People who are tense or/and are in pain might not be able to focus on anything else. And I as the Craniosacral Therapist need to understand that there might be trauma, violence or emotional scarring that needs to be acknowledged.

So I listen to see what the stressors are. We address them one by one in a variety of ways. Sometimes this may take a few minutes and the person is snoring on the table, and other times, it may take many sessions. With patience, often the gentle touch of Craniosacral Therapy can sooth the Central Nervous system. I have had clients tell me after a few sessions that they can’t remember ever being so relaxed. The Craniosacral Therapy works with the cerebrospinal fluid that circulates around the brain and the spinal cored. Believe it or not, we craniosacral therapists can feel how it works with the body through a flexion and extension motion that can be felt anywhere on the body. Often when the system shuts off, we can tell when something significant is occurring, helping the body to release any cellular dysfunctioning. Our intention is to continue to support in as gentle a way a possible whatever unfolds and is ready to process. Also, I have personally studied the brain quite a bit, and find that is possible to directly dialogue with the tissues (i.e. meninges). Often clients who have not healed completely from concussions and TBI’s find great relief, more clarity, balance and presence after a series of sessions.

The key to learning how to relax again, and to letting go of painful and fearful states, is to bring awareness back to self in a kind, and compassionate manner. To be able to work together going deep into the Central Nervous System, we can help the body to come into better organization in its more natural way of being.

If you would like to find a way to relax again, safe hands and safe presence will help you to remember the way.

Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST-D, SI, BHSP

703 509-1792

www.upledger.com

www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com

Stop Working So Hard and Get a Massage

by SharonHartnett | May 21, 2013 | Craniosacral Therapy, Energy Healing, Massage, Structural Integration

Do you admire the American Work Ethic?

For the most part, people work hard in so many parts of their lives. It makes sense as our work supports us, gives us a sense of accomplishment, and allows things to get done.

The Opposite of Work is Doing Nothing. How do most people perceive “doing” nothing?

Do you know how to relax and receive the wonders of life? Is it difficult to empty your thoughts and sense into the wholeness of your life? When you try to relax, do your thoughts tell you that you are lazy, you need to get moving, or are being self-centered by doing nothing.

In life, good health means being able to integrate opposites into balance. If you work alot, then rest a lot. If you aren’t active, then pick up an activity that brings you joy. But for those who have overactive thinking and doing, it is helpful to learn how to slow down and take a break. Allow the nervous system to relax and balance the whole entire body. Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Structural Integration and Energy Therapy can all be helpful in discovering new ways to break old patterns of “overdoing”. A Licensed Massage Therapist can help you to unwind, settle down, feel more deeply, and find more balanced footing. When you learn to relax, the whole world becomes your oyster. You are able to receive the fruits of your labor, it’s easier to see all the support and love that is coming your way, your cells get to take in the nourishment they need in order to stay healthy.

Massage is touch that listens and does… it integrates and provides rejuvenation.

What if you stopped thinking of receiving with any judgement? Wouldn’t it be nice to take in what your mind, body & spirit call for? At Lighten Up Therapies, we offer a variety of different treatments with a focus of Craniosacral Therapy in order to help you feel optimal in your daily living. Craniosacral Therapy is a light touch of bodywork that focuses on the brain and the spine through palpation of the Cerebral Spinal Fluid. By monitoring the cranial bones and other areas of the body, and with a gentle holding, Craniosacral Therapy can reduce stress and help you to find your center again. Craniosacral Therapy is easy to add in with Deep Tissue Massage or Energy Therapy.

Stop Working So Hard. Life is a precious gift and no regrets are necessary when it comes to your health and wellbeing.

For a free 15 minute phone consultation, call Sharon Hartnett LMT…

Call: 740 966-5153

Allow Yourself to Relax

Massage Your Feet at Home

by SharonHartnett | May 13, 2013 | Massage, Structural Integration, thought for the day

How Can You Massage Your Feet?

One of the concerns expressed by some clients who get massage, structural integration and craniosacral therapy is that after a few days, their bodies start to go back into the old habit of movement.

My observation, especially after working with the fascia for so long, is that people continue to change after the session. Once the fasica has been touched or manipulated in any way, it changes the rest of the continuous web of connective tissue that envelopes the body. After a 10 series of SI, the body has been taken into new places from different angles and various degrees of depth to bring the body back into structural integrity. The body is then in a work of process for many months while the body learns to integrate in a new way.

However, during sessions, while the work in my personal opinion, can be life altering, not everything can be “fixed”. Often clients do come in wanting to feel great after a session or two with strong expectations. While Massage and Bodywork can do wonders, it does take time create the habits that result in your personal posture. So, it is helpful to think that it takes time and also personal responsibility to shift imbalances into correction. The body will shift and remold if you receive good work and re-educate the physical with new movement.

What I would like to recommend today is to take a look at your feet. If you are walking around on the earth with stiff feet, how are you going to create positive change in the rest of your body. We are so accustomed to wearing shoes for running, walking, playing that we have forgotten how to feel the natural movement of the naked foot on the ground. In order to find balance in your body, explore your foot and how it rests on the ground. Listen to the stiff areas and become mindful of how you relate as a whole to your feet.

Once you have a good idea of how your feet feel and move, look for ways to improve mobility, range of motion and flexibility. An easy thing to do is to stand on one foot and build strength in the line of your leg. Personally, I like to practice foot relationship on a body roller that is cut in half. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to play on, and only a few minutes each day can make a profound change in how you walk.

Free your feet!

Each morning, start your day by placing your foot on this roller and explore with different positions to release foot tension. Notice how the alignment in your whole body starts to shift as your heels come down or your arch begins to relax. You might feel so much better than you feel like your feet have been massaged for an hour:) There are also good sport classes such as gyrotonics and tai chi that will help you reconnect to the feet better as well!

When you visit your favorite Massage Therapist or bodyworker, she will have a much easier time getting into the foot and the more relaxed tissues of the leg.

Massage is a great way to awaken and open the body, but taking personal responsibility on a daily basis for physical change exponentially impacts the body in a healthy way. This foot exercise is an easy way to begin self-care for your posture.

If you have any further questions, call Sharon Hartnett LMT for a free 15 minute phone consult.

Warmly,

Sharon Hartnett LMT

740 966-5153

For a ball roller, look at:

www.optp.com

Massage in Columbus: Springtime

by SharonHartnett | May 6, 2013 | Craniosacral Therapy

The Weather is Beautiful and it’s time to move outside…

It’s that time of year to garden, ride bikes, and do your Spring Cleaning. You are most likely using your body in different ways than in the winter and perhaps you notice yourself feeling a little tight or sore.

Why not come in for a Craniosacral Therapy session to find some more length and relaxation in your body. It is a great compliment to overworked muscles and stress. Massage has been know to benefit with illnesses, muscle pain, stress, and other body dysfunctions.

Feeling Your Best

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) works with the fascial and Craniosacral system. By touching into the fascial connective tissue, clients relax and open up for more optimal daily functioning. Listening to the body’s own wisdom through the CST and applying gentle support will deepen your ability to be centered and relaxed.

If you are wanting to feel your best, call Sharon Hartnett LMT to set up your Craniosacral Therapy appointment. If you have questions, she offers a free 15 minute telephone consultation.