How to Use CBD Oil for Massage

I read a great article the other day about the benefits of massage. And I’m all for getting the kinks worked out on a regular basis.

But then I wondered how many others use CBD oil for massage. I do, and I’ve talked about it with friends and family, but I wasn’t sure whether it’s a thing or not.

It is. And for good reason.

Have you tried it? Here’s why you should (and how to do it at home).

The Benefits of Massage

While some people like the occasional massage as a way to relax or just pamper yourself, it goes way beyond that.

People have been using massage to improve overall health for years. Research shows massage can be good for:

• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Stress
• Fibromyalgia
• Sports-related injuries
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Soft tissue strains or injuries

Awesome, so where does CBD oil come in?

CBD Oil for Massage

We know that when taken orally, CBD oil is great for any number of things. But it can also be used on the skin. In fact, it’s great when used that way. 

I’ve used CBD oil for massage for years. I find it helps to both relieve my pain and to relax my whole body.

Don’t forget, your skin is your biggest organ. And when you work the CBD oil into the skin, it makes its way into the tissues and connects with those cannabinoid receptors. Once it’s absorbed, it gets to work creating balance. 

If you get a CBD oil massage done by a registered massage therapist, it won’t feel that different from a regular massage. It shouldn’t. The only thing you might notice is a focus on different areas (since CBD is absorbed better by the veined areas around your body).  

That said, if you’re like others, you’ll probably feel even looser and more relaxed after a CBD oil massage versus a regular one.

Do you have to go to a massage therapist to use CBD oil for massage? Luckily, no.

Expert Tip: CBD also goes great with Yoga! Find out why at this post.

6 Tips To Give Yourself (or a Partner) a CBD Oil Massage at Home

Want to get the benefits without having to leave the house? Use these tips on yourself or your partner for the perfect massage at home.

1. Warm up those hands. No one likes that shock of cold hands touching the skin. 
   
2. Don’t push too hard. Whether you’re working on your shoulders or hands, don’t use too much pressure. Sometimes you’ll need more pressure, like when you’re working out a knot. But most of the time, firm pressure that lets you feel the muscle move underneath the skin is good enough. This is especially true around the bones and joints (try not to use pressure that).
   
3. Use slow, even strokes (don’t go too fast).
   
4. Use tools you have at home. For example, if you want to focus on your calves, lay a rolling pin on the ground. Rub your CBD oil into the area that’s causing you pain, then roll your calf back and forth over the rolling pin. A tennis ball is another great one. Use it for the shoulders.
   
5. Use your whole hand. The fingertips, the sides, the heel. 
   
6. Don’t forget the cool down. Avoid doing an all out, full body massage and then just stopping. Slow it down at the end with even lighter strokes to relax the tissues. 

How much CBD oil should you be using? Sure, you see those videos of people pouring on the massage oil, but that’s not what you need to do here (and that’d get pretty costly pretty quickly. Just a few drops will do the trick. You can also add a few drops to your favorite lotion or natural oil too if you’re doing a full body massage.