Sheila Hartman LMT

• Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of bodywork.  It has been called the most subtle yet profound form of bodywork there is.  It works with the body's inherent ability to heal itself.  It is a modality in which the body is listened to and the practitioner follows the patterns as it tells it's story. As the story unfolds the practitioner invites the body to go a little further into its pattern and the body begins to unwind holding patterns that contribute to pain, anxiety, illness and disease.  It is similar to a kite stuck in a tree if you pull it down it will tear and if you nudge it further into where it is stuck it will unwind and set itself free.

WHAT CONDITIONS DOES CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY ADDRESS?

• Structural issues of pain and tension such as neck pain, back pain, sciatic pain
• Head injuries/concussion/traumatic brain injury
• Stress/anxiety
• PTSD
• Headaches/Migraine headaches
• Sinusitis
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• TMJ
• Chronic Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Many other conditions

WHAT DOES A CRANIOSACRAL SESSION LOOK LIKE?  

• We will begin the session with a discussion.  We will discuss your intention for the visit and I will also ask you some questions regarding your health and past history.  You will remain fully clothed and will be lying on the massage table during the session.  I will hold areas of your body, which might be your head or your sacrum, but could also include other areas, such as your feet, shoulders or abdomen.  I will be listening to subtle, internal movements in your body with my hands.  The craniosacral system has a rhythm that can be felt throughout the body.  I will tune into your body ‘listening’ with my hands. My intention is to provide a safe and supportive space in which healing is possible.
• When I feel the rhythm on a person’s body and it is non-synchronous, slow or has a poor quality feel, it indicates that there is a physical restriction nearby that affects how the nerves and how that body part is functioning. My job as a craniosacral therapist is to work with the person’s body to help release the restriction and restore the body part to better health. My role as a therapist is to only do this at the pace the person’s body wants to work at – not to force anything.
• By gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragm, and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal chord can be optimized, and misaligned bones can be restored to their proper position.

• Manual lymph drainage is a light skin stretching treatment that is designed to help move lymph fluid back into remaining lymph vessels and reroute it out of your swollen limb. It is a very light and gentle treatment that should not be confused with a traditional massage.  It is most often used for lymphedema treatment.  Lymphedema can be genetic or it can occur post surgery for lymph node removal, such as in the case of breast cancer where lymph nodes are removed. It is also an excellent modality for detoxification, edema and pre and post surgery
• Manual lymphatic drainage is also an extremely effective modality for early injuries where traditional massage therapy is contraindicated. When we relieve the swelling, we reduce the pain, speed the rate of healing and increase range of motion.
• Manual lymphatic drainage stimulates the lymphatic system with extremely light, circular pumping movements. By stimulating the lymphatic system, the therapist helps drain puffy, swollen tissues, supports the body’s immune system, helps the body heal from surgery, and aids in the body’s natural waste removal or detoxification.

• A multidisciplinary approach to restore structural balance and address soft-tissue dysfunction, pain and injury. Through functional assessment and history-taking, we will determine the pathology of the musculoskeletal complaint and match the appropriate body work technique. Healing results from a combination of modalities such as myofascial release, Jones strain/counterstrain, MET, cross fiber friction, Swedish & deep tissue massage.

The changes in the body that pregnancy brings as muscles and ligaments stretch and babies grow can put a lot of strain on the body. Muscles in the shoulders tighten, resulting in swelling in the hands and arms and pain in the neck and shoulders. The weight of the growing baby pulls the spine forwards causing pain in the lower back and hips and the shifting pelvis causes swelling and tightness in the legs and feet.

Regular massage from a practitioner specially trained in prenatal massage and the physiology of pregnancy can make all the difference. 

The benefits of prenatal massage can include:

• Reduction in tension and pain in the shoulders,  back, hips and legs.
• Reduction in maternal anxiety and depression
• Improved sleep
• Improved mental clarity
• Improved circulation and reduced swelling in the feet and hands.

Studies show that bi-weekly massages for just 5 weeks showed decreased levels of stress hormones, increased levels of the hormones that guard against depression, improved mood and better sleep.  

Working the muscles and soft tissue that hold the jaw is an important part of creating balance for the neck and head. Most people hold some amount of tension in the jaw muscles, and are often surprised how much more relaxed they feel after receiving this work. Techniques are applied to the neck, throat, outer jaw and within the mouth; the overall goal is to improve pain-free range of motion, release emotional or muscular tension, and improve the alignment of the jaw, neck and head. This work is particularly useful for people of all ages who are undergoing significant dental work, have chronic headaches or whiplash, and who have digestive problems.

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that promotes deep relaxation and healing on all levels. Reiki translates as Universal Life Force Energy. It is extremely relaxing and profoundly healing.

A Reiki session is a combination of laying on of hands and working in the aura or energy field. It is done with the person fully clothed.

Reiki can be included with any massage session. The energy flows during the massage, giving a greater sense of relaxation; bringing the individual back into a state of balance on all levels; mind, body and spirit.