What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral Manipulation is focused on restoring the health of organ movement while enhancing functionality.

Based on the Work of Dr. Jean-Piere Barral, a therapist who practices Visceral Manipulation manually listens to the body to feel for primary tension patterns.  At first the hands are placed on the head in order to follow any strains, rotations or restrictions downward.  As the general listening continues, one is directed more into a local listening to be able to find areas for the more detailed work.

Once the area of dysfunction is discovered, techniques are used to bring harmony back to the original organs and also with their relationship to the rest of the visceral system and nearby structures.  This is done by working with mobility (releasing and adhesions and supporting free movement), and by touching into the inherent motility and encouraging natural motion.

A session is done with very light touch working mostly through the connective tissue that encases the organs such as the kidneys, livers, intestines etc... By releasing restrictions, the organs can return back to the job that were created for by not having to work so hard.  Visceral Manipulation usually takes a shorter time than with other types of massage and bodywork, so it can easily be incorporated into other types of therapy.   

Because the Barral Institute is linked with the Upledger Institute,  often one will find practitioners who will add the visceral work into a Craniosacral Therapy Session. They both include listening and following rhythms, are based on listening and applying gentle manipulations, and can be done with clothes on.  Both are built on the foundation of osteopathic medicine.

If you have more questions on this fabulous type of therapy, check

http://www.barralinstitute.com/about/vm.php

Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Upper Arlington and Johnstown, Ohio

(614) 372-6598

Lower Back Pain

Lower Back Pain is very common.

But that doesn't diminish the fact that it can keep you in bed in pain, unable to move for hours or days.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms,  please see a physician to keep your back healthy:

1.  Difficult time standing or moving around.

2.  Pain that is chronic or acute in the lower back and gluteal area.

3.  Muscle Spasms

Muscles strain, disc issues and accidents are usually the cause for lower back pain. If you are experiencing inflammation,  relax and follow your doctors instructions. However,  when the symptoms quiet down, Craniosacral Therapy and Structural Integration are excellent modalities of healing that can help you to feel better. This is done by releasing restrictions in the fascia and in the Craniosacral System.  When the adhesions dissolve, the body can go back into natural alignment, freeing up your energy and balancing your nervous system.

There is no need to suffer and stay in pain.

If you are interested in finding out more about relieving lower back pain, call Sharon Hartnett LMT at (614) 372-6598.  

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Relieving Osteoarthritis Pain Symptoms with Craniosacral Therapy

In the AMTA Massage Journal,  I just read that approximately 27 million Americans suffer from Osteoarthritis. 

While there is no cure available for Osteoarthritis, there are some treatments that have proven to be helpful in alleviating pain.  In order to optimize quality of life,  speak to your physician first, but also consider looking at a holistic health plan for yourself so that you can remain active and vital in your life.  

Some ideas:

1.  Studies have shown significant improvement with Massage in case studies.  People who have received sessions weekly can feel a real difference.  In particular in my practice, fascial and Craniosacral Therapy has helped clients to feel more flexible and healthier.  As the tissues rehydrate, more fluids are able to get to the joints and regenerate flow and energy.  What is especially nice about the Craniosacral Therapy is that it is extremely light touch, thereby very gentle while providing revitalizing effects.

2.  Food Elimination- Clients that I know who have eliminated certain foods out their diet, feel huge shifts.  The first few days may be difficult, especially if you are letting go of gluten, sugars, nightshade foods, or dairy, but afterwards, the body starts to hum and vibrate in a much more joyful melody.  There are wonderful doctors in the field of Functional Medicine who have had much success with this.  One that I recommend is:  Dr. Anup Konodia   http://anupkanodia.md.com  who was just seen on 20/20 nationally.  I have seen clients of his feel incredible changes after changing their diets.

3.  Topical Pain relievers may be helpful.  Some of the patches available at your local pharmacy may help with local pain relief.

4.  Exercise:  Most doctors these days will tell you to listen to your body, but also make sure that you are getting enough exercise to keep your circulation up.  However, don't overdo it because symptoms can worsen if overly fatigued.  Exericse is about finding the right balance for you.

5.  Your physician may want to give you steroids or other medications.  They recommend early treatment to help the progression of the disease to slow down.  As a patient though,  communicate, research and follow the path that feels best to you.

Warmly,

Sharon Hartnett LMT
Columbus, Ohio   614 372-6598
www.massageincolumbusohio.com

The Art of Listening with Craniosacral Therapy

When I talk about Craniosacral Therapy,  I always speak about Listening.

Clients come in to be heard.  Their bodies are asking to be acknowledged and supported.  The goals that they want accomplished can only be reached by palpation and touch with listening hands and a listening heart.  So when I came across the following quote, I was touched.  I was reminded that in the stillness and quiet, a bubbling spring sprouts forth that is fruitful and lush.  

"As healers we have to receive the story of our fellow human beings with a compassionate heart, a heart that does not judge or condemn but recognizes how the stranger’s story connects with our own…. Our most important question as healers is not, “What to say or to do?” but, “How to develop enough inner space where the story can be received?”

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Spaciousness is empty.  It holds the possibilities of all healing.

Warmly,

Sharon Hartnett LMT, CST

www.massageincolumbusohio.com

Craniosacral Therapy and Energy Work

Craniosacral Therapy is based on the foundation of some of Osteopathic Medicine techniques.  At the school, that I attended, the "Upledger" Institute", the methods and skill set were taught by Dr. John Upledger and his teachers with an emphasis on structural change through the Craniosacral System based on listening and engaging with the human body.  However, there is another componentj of teaching that I also found very interesting coming from an energy consciousness background.  I was surprised to find that this medical based work also explored the energy dynamics of an "energy" cyst.  While working with clients over the years,  I had often felt this "chaotic" energy through the body, but had learned to work with it through a Barbara Brennan Approach (I attended that school and eventually taught there).  To my amazement, integrative healthcare was naming energy dysfunctional patterns and offering a way to balance and bring more order to the system.  Namely,  in the Craniosacral Therapy approach, one holds the energy cyst while centered and gently melds until it dissolve.  Often the client will breath a sigh of relief.  It is a wonderful feeling to be of assistance with this type of support.

Eventually,  I continued my education with the Upledger Institute because I enjoyed their open minded approach to allowing the body mind spirit consciousness to lead the session into self-correction with whatever showed up in the moment.  It also feels like an adventure into self-discover and learning.

If you are looking for a healing through a whole system approach, consider Craniosacral Therapy.

For more information, call: 

(614) 372-6598 

for a free 15 minute telephone consult.

Warmly,

Sharon Hartnett LMT

Columbus, Ohio

www.massageincolumbusohio.com
www.columbus-craniosacral-structuralintegration.com