Ever thought about getting a CBD massage? You’re definitely not the only one! This new spin on an ancient treatment has taken the U.S. by storm, and spas and parlors have been quick to step up their game. The popularity is not without reason either. Many clients praise the benefits of a CBD oil massage. Consumers dealing with a range of issues are turning to CBD massages for additional relief.
So, what’s this new holistic trend all about? What makes a CBD massage different from a regular massage? And how do you go about experiencing this treatment for yourself? We’re here to fill you in on all these details and more, so you can stay in the know and continue being a conscious consumer.
A CBD massage is the same as any other massage, but a CBD oil or lotion is added to the process for extra benefit. Like a regular massage, the therapist applies pressure to your body in skillful, gentle motions that force your muscles to release tension. The release of tension, along with the cannabinoid boost from the lotion, helps you relax.
CBD based lotions and oils used during these massages interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS helps to regulate homeostasis, which essentially means the balance of the body. It does this by helping to modulate sleep, anxiety, inflammation, pain, digestion, mood, and much more.
There are receptors for the ECS located all over the body, including in the skin. When topical CBD products interact with receptors on your skin, it influences your ECS and promotes the overall functionality of the system. A CBD massage delivers cannabidiol right to those receptors, so it’s no wonder consumers feel such a difference!
To give a CBD massage, you just need a topical CBD oil, lotion, or salve to supply a cannabinoid boost. There are many options to try, but not all CBD products will go the extra mile and support your skin. Always make sure you find a skin-friendly product that contains natural ingredients.
For example, Cheef Botanicals CBD Relief Salve is formulated with jojoba, coconut, and olive oil to moisturize and nourish your skin. The salve also contains frankincense and peppermint essential oils. Some of these ingredients may provide aroma therapeutic and anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe your mind and skin.
If you’re going to apply a topical to large areas of your body, as you would in a massage, it’s well worth it to make sure the product is beneficial for your skin. CBD salves are made to target specific areas of soreness but it can also be used to massage sections of the body, especially areas with deep tension or discomfort.
CBD lotions, also known as creams, are excellent tools for a massage. A CBD lotion will have a thicker consistency than oil, and its ingredients allow it to penetrate the skin. A lotion won’t leave your skin feeling greasy, which is a huge plus if you plan on getting dressed any time soon.
You can find CBD lotion in various strengths of Cheef Botanicals CBD Body Lotion which comes in 200mg and 800mg formulations to fit every consumer’s personal requirements. This lotion contains all-natural fragrances, no harsh chemicals, and loads of skin-nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea butter. And the scents are absolutely divine. Both of the cucumber melon and orange bliss fragrances leave your skin smelling beautiful and sweet, but not overpoweringly so.
CBD massage oil serves the same function as CBD massage lotion, but it has a thinner consistency and provides a little more glide. Due to their molecular structure, oils stay on top of the skin and do not absorb deep in the dermis. CBD oil consists of carrier oils (like coconut, hemp seed, olive, or jojoba) infused with hemp extract. The CBD in the hemp extract binds to the lipids (fats) in the carrier oil, and together they deliver the product to the cannabinoid receptors in your skin.
Any CBD infused oil can be used for a massage; the package does not need to specify that the product is designed for massage. Like CBD lotions, CBD oils differ in potency. You can dilute a potent CBD oil (like our 3000mg tincture) to help spread the CBD out on your skin.
If you want to dilute your CBD oil it’s best to dilute it with the same type of carrier oil they use to make the product with. For instance, Cheef Botanical CBD oils use hemp seed oil as the carrier, so to dilute it you can add 100mg dose to two tablespoons of regular hemp seed oil (make sure to mix it well).
The best CBD oil is the one with minimal preservatives and contains ingredients that benefit your skin. Always look for a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) to determine what cannabinoids it contains.
Oils or lotions are usually incorporated in massages to reduce the friction between the massage therapist’s hands and the client’s skin. These topical agents allow the therapist’s hands to glide over the client’s skin without any painful pulling or tugging. Oils and lotions also nourish the skin and can provide other therapeutic benefits, like a calming scent.
So, does it matter which agent you use? Oils and lotions serve the same purpose in a massage, and one is not necessarily better for you than the other. Whether you choose an oil or lotion for your massage will depend on your skin type.
Since lotions contain water, they are better suited for people with dry skin. Lotions add water to the skin and lock it in with other ingredients designed for that purpose. Conversely, oils are actually more appropriate for those with oily skin. Although this sounds counterintuitive, adding oil to greasy epidermis supplements the skin barrier and signals the sebum glands to stop overproducing lubrication.
CBD massages are becoming more available as word of their benefits travel. Competitive spas striving to earn business can provide this treatment to anyone willing to pay, although age restrictions might apply in some states. Not all spas offer CBD massages yet, so it’s up to you to find one that does. Try Googling “CBD massage” along with the name of your city to locate local businesses that offer this unique service.
For example, in Los Angeles, Dtox Day Spa offers a custom 50 or 80 minute CBD massage. Their treatment utilizes moderate to deep pressure techniques to relieve muscle tension, joint inflammation, with the added benefit of cannabidiol.
Want to try a CBD massage at home? Here is a basic sequence that a rookie can perform with minor error. All you will need are 1-3 hot towels, 2 ounces of pre-measured CBD oil or lotion, and 1 dry towel.
To begin, warm up the shoulders and neck with a hot towel and alternate shoulder presses. Using very mild pressure, lightly stroke the shoulders and upper chest to further warm the muscles. Make your way up the neck to the base of the head and hold the head for a minute; this allows the neck to decompress. Repeat this sequence three times.
Next, have your client lie on their stomach. Lay a hot towel on their back and knead the area with your palms, starting at the shoulders and working down, for two to three minutes. This will help to relax the client and open their pores. Then, spread CBD oil or lotion over their entire backside with soft strokes, gradually increasing pressure. Be sure to cover as much of their skin as possible to increase to the number of receptors the CBD contacts.
Place both of your forearms on the client’s back and apply moderate pressure. Simultaneously pull your lower arm down the body towards the tailbone and your upper arm towards the neck. This will create an excellent stretch and release tension from common problem areas. Repeat this motion a few times.
Once completed, place a rolled-up hot towel under the base of your client’s head. Warm-up some CBD oil or lotion and apply it to the tips of your middle and pointer fingers. Using these fingers, gently massage the oil into your client’s temples and transition into a scalp massage.
What makes this kind of massage better than a regular massage? Well, consider the benefits of cannabidiol. CBD is known to produce a sense of tranquility, often described as a soothing calm. When combined with the therapeutic benefits of a massage, CBD helps to elevate that relaxing experience to the next level.
Do you know what regular oils and lotions can’t do? They can’t stimulate your endocannabinoid system! CBD products interact with your ECS and influence it to perform at its peak potential. Since your ECS supports so many other systems in your body, the benefits of keeping it healthy are immense.
When your ECS is working at full capacity, your body easily maintains homeostasis, and you reap relaxation and healing benefits as a result. Consumers are using CBD massages for everything from muscle strain to skin irritation, and even nervous tendencies and twitchiness. The added benefit of CBD may help these consumers reach the level of relief they are searching for more effectively.
Nope. You can’t get high from a CBD massage. Why not? Because unlike THC, CBD is a non-intoxicating compound. You won’t experience an altered state of mind or “high” from using it on your skin or if you ingest any form of cannabidiol.
Although CBD massages are still an up-and-coming treatment, its benefits are gaining recognition day by day. More spas are bound to offer this service in the years to come, which is glorious news for anyone who wants more from their massage.