My Personal CBD Story; Massage and CBD
So I’ve never been very interested in supplements. I’ll take an occasional multi vitamin when I remember, and I do use protein powder on a regular basis. But for the most part I firmly believe if my diet is seasonal, based on whole foods and mostly fruits and vegetables, I’m giving myself the most bioavailable form of supplementation, that is, my vitamins and minerals are coming from the earth, where they are the freshest, and primed for consumption and digestion. This keeps my body running in top form.
That being said, I do invest in bodywork as a supplementation. So massage, chiropractic visits, physical therapy, (I even tried acupuncture recently) as holistic supplementation are acceptable to me.
As a massage therapist, it’s tempting to look into tools and products that will make your practice more effective. Just like a landscaper may use a leaf blower over a rake, I’ve been tempted by multiple tools and products that claim to supplement my work. I’ve turned away from most of them. Mainly because I like to feel what I am doing to the connective tissue. It’s satisfying to feel the change that I’ve created. And I don’t want to distract the client with bells and whistles, either.
So enter a CBD article from my monthly massage magazine in October 2019. It listed several eye-catching benefits directly relating to massage, cited from a variety of small research studies.
Reduces pain and inflammation
Treats and reduces anxiety
Reduces muscle spasms and spasms of the small intestine
Protects the nervous system
Reduces undesirable effects of THC, such as inebriation, sedation, and racing heart
Promotes homeostasis
When considering contraindications, there are little to none when applied topically (except for obvious ones like don’t apply to an open wound). There are some contraindications to CBD use when ingested.
My interest peaked! But I quickly realized I was having trouble finding the right vendor. For a number of reasons, it didn’t work out and I let the idea go.
Last month (September 2021) I met Madison D’Arezzo. Owner of 42020 Visionaries in North Kingstown, RI. She had reputedly sourced CBD and graciously took the time to answer all of my questions about using it as a practitioner. Her goal in chatting with me was to inform, not sell. She gave me some samples to try for myself. So I brought my sample to my next massage…
The therapist had worked with CBD oil before, so she applied it to my back and neck during my ninety minute treatment. About thirty minutes later, I was home standing in my kitchen, and I felt this comprehensive sense of calm come over me. It was like “everything was right in the world.” It was not a “high,” I have to say. And it didn’t feel like inebriation as alcohol would create. It was a lovely feeling of pure peace, like my whole body was gently smiling. In the past I’ve had localized treatments with a CBD cream, like on the front of my shoulder, and had little to no results. I believe this broad spectrum approach, having the CBD applied all over my back, is what created the results I experienced.
So usually when you have a pleasant experience with a product, you believe in it, right? And you want to share the news. That’s how and why we refer each other to our favorite restaurants, resorts, bakeries, beaches. I had this experience that I would want my clients to have, so I am offering Madison’s CBD product as part of my massage treatments for an additional price. I don’t promise you will feel the way I did, as we are all created a little differently. I do, however, believe in the research I have found, which I am happy to share below. And I also believe if you think something is going to help you, it will.
As far as the legalities of using CBD, I’m going to share a blog post from Madison herself on her website, 42020visionaries.com,
“In the United States, CBD is legal in all 50 states and even allows for the dry plant material to contain <0.3% THC. This may surprise some, but at such low levels, is seen as safe and acceptable across the board. Extracts that contain trace levels of THC are known as “full spectrum”. Although THC levels are so low, it is impossible to guarantee that the molecule would not be present in a blood, urine or hair follicle test, even when applied topically.
For this reason, 42020 Visionaries formulates with what is commonly called “broad spectrum” extract. Broad spectrum contains varying levels of beneficial terpenoids and cannabinoids- EXCEPT for THC, as it has been removed via specific distillation techniques. Broad spectrum distillate allows for varying levels of phytochemicals and phytocannabinoids to work synergistically with CBD, without containing THC that some folks are simply not interested in consuming.”
I welcome all comments and questions you may have about this product, and if I can’t answer them, we can find out together. Happy healing. :-)
Sources
https://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=2097
https://www.abmp.com/podcasts/ep-106-cannabis-massage-cbd-101-jordan-person
https://www.42020visionaries.com/blogs/news/what-is-cbd-what-kind-do-we-use-at-42020-visionaries
http://www.phytecs.com/tour-the-ecs/the-ecs-in-skin/
https://www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/eCBSystemLee.pdf
