Cannabis Infused Massage Therapy Archives

Could Cannabis Massage Help With Sports Injuries? Experts Say “Yes”

As a cannabis massage therapist, I deal with patients who have a wide variety of needs. Sports- and exercise-related injuries are some of the most common — my practice, Primal Therapeutics, is based in Colorado, and people here are serious about their physical fitness. And while this is a great thing in my opinion, it also means that I see a lot of patients with pains, sprains, and other sports-related injuries.

I’ve noticed a common thread among many of my fitness-enthusiast patients — they don’t want to sacrifice their mental clarity for pain relief. In fact, many of them are initially skeptical about cannabis massage, since they’re nervous about the potential intoxicating effects of the topicals we use. However, after seeing thousands of patients, I can tell you that not one of them has ever reported feeling high after a session.

Some patients are harder to convince than others, though. In particular, I remember one man in his mid-fifties — the first time he called, he asked me no fewer than ten questions about what the session would be like and what kind of results he could expect. He’d seen a countless number of physical therapists, massage practitioners, and chiropractors, none of whom had been able to help much with his pain, which came from a hiking injury several months ago. He was hesitant to believe that cannabis massage would be any different. I’m pleased to tell you he was incorrect.

During our first session together, I discovered that the source of his pain was a tight muscle in his groin, which he’d aggravated during a particularly strenuous hike in the mountains. Months had passed since he first started treatment, and still he was unable to move around comfortably. All he wanted was to be able to hike again.

I explained that, apart from the massage techniques themselves, the cannabis topicals we were using could help relieve his pain by activating the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, which would help him return to homeostasis, the body’s natural state of cellular balance. And again, he was skeptical. But after only a few sessions, he was back on the mountain. I think he became a believer after that.

Click here to continue reading the science behind the theory at CannabisMD.

Ask an Expert: Can Cannabis Topicals Treat Burns?

Your skin is your body’s most important line of defense against the outside world. When its integrity becomes compromised by a burn, proper treatment is essential to prevent permanent skin damage, infections, and other problems. Cannabis is not a magic bullet for treating all these issues, but in certain cases there’s reason to believe it could be useful.

Before we continue, it may be helpful to understand the different types of burns. These can be caused by exposure to heat, radiation, or electricity, along with chemicals, friction, or even (somewhat counterintuitively) extreme cold. Regardless of their cause, they’re commonly grouped into four categories, based on the layer of skin that has been affected:

First-Degree Burns
These are considered mild, and only affect the top layer of skin (known as the epidermis). It’s common for the affected area to be red and painful.

Second-Degree Burns
Also known as a “partial thickness burn,” this type of burn affects both the epidermis and the layer of skin beneath it, which is known as the dermis. Typical symptoms for second degree burns include blisters and swelling, along with redness and pain.

Third-Degree Burns
These are sometimes called “full thickness burns,” because they penetrate through the dermis into deeper layers of tissue. With third degree burns, the skin becomes charred (often turning either white or black in color), and the affected area may feel numb.

Fourth-Degree Burns
This is the worst-case scenario type of burn. These burns can reach past the epidermis, dermis, and deeper layers of tissue all the way to muscles and bones. Since this tends to cause nerve damage, the patient will often have no feeling in the affected area.

The final two categories of burns are extremely serious, and treating them is beyond the scope of cannabis in any form. They require urgent, professional medical attention (more on that later). For first- and second-degree burns, cannabis — particularly topicals — may have more to offer, though the existing research is limited.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Burn Care and Research, found that cannabis use was increasingly common among patients with burns (who tended to be younger and less likely to have medical insurance), though it didn’t specify if — or how — those patients were using cannabis to treat their injuries. In 2018, a different paper in the same journal found that, “[Marijuana] use appears to be protective in acute burn admissions, despite classic teaching that illicit drug use leads to poorer outcomes.”

To continue reading click here for the full article on CannabisMD.

Cannabis Massage for Parkinson’s Patients: Is It Safe?

While there’s not yet a cure for Parkinson’s disease, modern medicine has yielded a number of promising treatments that can reduce the severity of its symptoms and improve the quality of life for people living with it. One of the most intriguing (or at least unexpected) options is cannabis, and although research is still in its early stages, the plant does seem to offer some significant benefits — and adding massage to the mix could help, as well.

By the year 2020, 1 million people in the U.S. will be living with Parkinson’s disease, according to estimates from the Parkinson’s Foundation. The condition, which currently affects around 10 million people worldwide, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that’s caused by the brain’s inability to produce enough of a chemical called dopamine, a deficiency that grows more severe over time. It’s more likely to affect men than women, and older people are more likely to be diagnosed than younger ones — over 95 percent of people with Parkinson’s are over the age of 50.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary widely from patient to patient. Tremors are one of the most common symptoms, with some patients noticing these movements even when their limbs are at rest. Many people also experience stiffness or rigid muscles, resulting in painful contractions that can limit mobility. These issues can make it difficult for people with Parkinson’s to write and speak. It’s common for patients to have problems with balancing and walking as well, and their movements are often slower than before.

To continue reading, click here to read the original content on CannabisMD.

Before your cannabis massage

We are often asked the question, “what should I do to prepare for my massage?” Before your cannabis massage session with Primal Therapeutics we highly recommend two things: a nice soak using our Primal Healing Soak to open up your pores and relax your muscles and a hot cup of Stillwater Tea to entice your relaxation. Performing these two rituals can amplify your cannabis infused massage therapy experience.

First lets talk about the power of a nice hot bath. Hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to provide relief from aches, pains and stress. A good soak calms the nervous system and open your pores allowing for total absorption of the organic infused oils and salves we use for cannabis massage therapy sessions. Our bodies are mostly water so this makes soaking in it incredibly beneficial. A warm bath makes the blood flow easier, it also makes the body more oxygenated by allowing you to breathe deeper and slower. As you may have had your massage therapist tell you in the past, “remember to breathe.” Deep breathing is so important to keep your muscles relaxed during your treatment session.

It is not just about taking a bath though. It is about enhancing that bath. By adding essential oils, minerals or salts you amplify the effect of the bath itself. We recommend Primal Healing Soak. Every ingredient is organic and sustainable. The entire product line is made in small craft batches. In addition to CBD the herbal content is designed to provide the most therapeutic effects possible and it happens to smell like a lavender field of heaven. The aromatherapy alone will send you onto a cloud of relaxation. The protein in milk helps to breakdown dead skin cells and the magnesium flake assists in the muscles relaxation.

Now let’s talk tea. It has been said that green tea is the healthiest drink on the planet. It is full of anti-oxidants, improves brain function, and has been shown to improve over-all health. Tea composed of mint leaves has been known to reduce pain, eliminate inflammation, and relax the body and mind. As you see tea is highly beneficial all on its own, then add water soluble THC or CBD, mind blown. Stillwater Beverages combine the highest-quality organic teas with a healthy dose of Ripple CBD 20:1. The light touch of fast-acting, water-soluble CBD is designed to relax, not intoxicate.

Stillwater keeps the dosing low and we like that. Micro-dosing is true plant medicine. The goal of Endocannabinoid therapy is to activate the system and provide balance at a cellular level. It is possible consume too much, especially for those patients we have coming from outside of Colorado. We also recommend to patients and consumers to start low and slow. You can always consume more later. Ingredients are key and Stillwater uses all organic high quality ingredients.

Stillwater comes in Mellow Mint and Gentle Green. For patients and consumers wanting to add a few more milligrams of THC or CBD to their tea, guacamole, smoothie, queso or truly anything your heart desires you can use their Ripple. These tiny packets of water soluble THC and CBD allow you to infuse anything you eat or drink discreetly.

Cannabis massage is incredible. You will feel the difference the infusion of cannabinoids makes. Now you have the knowledge you need to take your experience to a higher level of healing and feeling. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Purchase Stillwater Teas or Ripple products at any of these fine retail locations: Find Stillwater Brands

Purchase Primal Healing Soak: HERE

*No compensation was received from either brand for the writing of this blog.

Cerebral Palsy and Cannabis Massage

The Disorder

If you have never known someone with cerebral palsy than the symptoms these patients suffer from may be foreign to you. As a Nurse our founder, Jordan had taken care of several patients with this disease. So her exposure to this crippling condition had been very thorough. For those unfamiliar with cerebral palsy, according to the Mayo Clinic “it is a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.” Being presented with a patient with CP for cannabis massage was informative, emotional, and absolutely amazing.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms can vary greatly. Movement and coordination problems associated with cerebral palsy may include:

Variations in muscle tone, such as being either too stiff or too floppy
Favoring one side of the body, such as reaching with only one hand or dragging a leg while crawling
Difficulty walking, such as walking on toes, a crouched gait, a scissors-like gait with knees crossing, a wide gait or an asymmetrical gait
Excessive drooling or problems with swallowing
Difficulty with sucking or eating
Delays in speech development or difficulty speaking
Difficulty with precise motions, such as picking up a crayon or spoon
Seizures
Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
Stiff muscles with normal reflexes (rigidity)
Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
Tremors or involuntary movements
Slow, writhing movements (athetosis)
Delays in reaching motor skills milestones, such as pushing up on arms, sitting up alone or crawling

Some patients can walk, some cannot. As a nurse assisting with this condition it is very different when presented with it as a Massage Therapist. One of the most amazing things about Primal Therapeutics, cannabis massage is that we have been presented with patients with many types of conditions. Many people present with conditions we have never worked on and cerebral palsy was one of those conditions new to Cannabis Massage.

The stiffness that these patients experience in their muscles is intense. When you work with cerebral palsy patients all you want to do is help them because their condition leaves a mark etched in your mind. To help relax their muscles and provide them with some type of relief from constant spasms is a goal and desire for the caregivers of all CP patients. These patients often complain of pain in their hips, lower backs, necks and legs. All areas that can be easily massaged and topical cannabinoids can be applied.

The Healing Session

Many of these patients also suffer from seizure disorders and many are in wheelchairs making the ability to be massaged more difficult, but not impossible. The patient we were presented was still able to ambulate with the use of a walker. After the countless, almost miracles that we have seen when performing cannabis massage we were very intrigued what the results would be with cerebral palsy. A common characteristic of cerebral palsy is the arms become contracted and pull into the body. The patient we saw had that characteristic making lying face down on the massage table somewhat difficult but we were able to accompany her disability and provide her comfort.

Once the massage began the tight feeling was palpable. Her pain could be felt through her muscles. Cannabis massage has the ability to bring blood to the surface and so it did. The massage began to relax those tight muscles. As the treatment continued down the back and arms and into the hips you could feel the muscles begin to relax. Overall relaxation was achieved and more focused work began. The arms were first. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. We watched her arm go from being tightly tucked under her body to slowly but surely hang loose from her body, off the table. The patient picked her head up several times to look at her own arm. In that moment, Jordan realized the feeling she felt was not just something she could feel. The patient could feel it too!

Tears began to flow, both from Jordan and the patient. It was a moment that neither expected and yet both could have only wished for. The effectiveness of cannabis massage with cerebral palsy was unreal. The benefits were countless. The patient reported feeling more relaxed and with more mobility than she had ever felt in her life. When the massage was done she mentioned that it felt stronger around her joints. As she stood with the assistance of her walker, she said she had never stood up that straight in her whole life. She cried with joy that she could feel results throughout her entire body.

The Takeaway

The topical application of cannabinoids via cannabis massage was effective beyond our hopes for cerebral palsy and the tetany our patient had in her upper body. Topical cannabis has been effective in 100% of the cases we have touched. In all conditions that we see, we use the topical application of cannabinoids and symptoms are decreased if not completely removed. It is important to note we use THC and CBD. We educate our patients on the importance of the entourage effect and that the more cannabinoids are present the more therapeutic the effect will be. Topicals are something a caregiver can purchase and apply. Make sure you always know the source of your products. Remembering the skin is the largest organ and you want to only give it things that can be easily processed. Look for organic products like the ones we make for our patients, Primal Healing.

The implications for cannabis and cerebral palsy don’t stop at the topical use of cannabinoids or via cannabis massage now you can find information about cerebral palsy and medical marijuana on most sites that discuss the disorder. We found really great information at the Cerebral Palsy Guidance website. Please visit their site to learn more how to help the cerebral palsy patient in your life with plant medicine.

100 People You Should Know

Our founder was recently named in the 100 People You Should Know in the Hemp Connoisseur magazine. They chose 20 categories and five people in each category. Jordan was chosen for Wellness. Her fellow wellness category individuals include a very dear friend and colleague of hers, Rachael Carlevale of Ganjasana, plant medicine yoga. Jordan and Rachel work on retreats and education furthering opportunities often and she feels honored to join her friend on this list..

Below is the content as seen on Facebook.

JORDAN PERSON –
WELLNESS
Jordan Person came to Colorado in 2010 as a medical marijuana refugee. Utilizing cannabis and other holistic therapies saved her life. She saw the health benefits of cannabis first hand on her own journey back to health and wanted to help educate the masses on what she learned. She found a way to combine her years in the medical field with her years spent working with medical marijuana, and Cannabis Infused Massage Therapy was created. All the topicals that Primal Therapeutics uses are made in-house. Person took classes in herbalism and created the recipe with her patients in mind using all organic ingredients in her creations. In 2017, Jordan began teaching Cannabis Massage 101 and Topicals Making 101 in an effort to provide anyone interested with the knowledge they would need to perform this trending modality. Therapists around the world are taking this course. Person is an advocate and an activist for the plant, proudly serving as executive director of Denver NORML.

Read the full digital magazine at joomag.com or look for the print version at Barnes & Noble nationwide.

Trendsetters in Cannabis Massage

What exactly does it mean to be trendsetters in an industry? Simply put, it is someone that leads the way in ideas. In 2014 when the founder of Primal Therapeutics first googled the words “cannabis massage” no responses came back. Google, the search engine used by millions everyday had no advice to offer her. The search continued online for hours then days before she walked into her local medical marijuana dispensary and purchased every single topical that existed. After using topicals on her own surgical wounds she knew their healing capabilities on a personal level but had no idea what their implications would be using cannabis from head to toe.

What began with a whole lot of research turned quickly into development and making cannabis massage into something that was more than just applying cannabis to a patient and calling it cannabis massage. What has made Primal Therapeutics the trendsetters in the field is their passion for knowledge and spreading the word of what a healing and therapeutic modality cannabis massage is. After years of exploring the topic Primal Therapeutics now offers educational classes to fellow massage therapists around the world.

Every year American Spa magazine releases their projected list for the upcoming years various spa trends. This year Primal Therapeutics is considered the trendsetters for cannabis in the spa space. You can read the full list of descriptions with links to each section by clicking here. The 2018 trends include the following categories in no particular order.

Fighting Pollution
Crystals
Hotels with Spas
Natural Beauty
Cannabis
Animals in Wellness
DNA Testing
Guilt-Free Skincare
Regional Spa Associations
Intentional Beauty

She noted the first thing that made her realize cannabis was an effective treatment for massage and all kinds of various spa treatments was the fact she no longer needed acupuncture. After being a massage therapist for many years cannabis massage gave her a new lease on her worn out and tired wrists. “It was a total game changer for me and my business” Person said.

As Primal Therapeutics approaches their fourth year in business in Colorado they could not be more proud to be a part of this list. Founder, Jordan Person said recently, “My Grandma always used to call me a trendsetter! She could have never guessed this would be my future.” Cannabis saved Person’s life and she has since gone from being an advocate to an activist and a cannabis consumer to a cannabis business owner.

Read the article in American Spa magazine here:

https://www.americanspa.com/skincare/2018-spa-and-wellness-trend-benefits-cannabis

TIME magazine Special Edition

Marijuana Goes Main Street By: Bruce Barcott

Recently our Founder was making a trip to Florida and she went looking for some reading material in one of the many magazines shops that all airports have. Without question she was drawn to the TIME magazine publication with a gigantic marijuana leaf on the cover. What she was not expecting was to find Primal Therapeutics on page 94! But there she and Primal Therapeutics were, locked in history in TIME magazine.

Primal Therapeutics was to be the world’s first Cannabis Spa however laws and regulations would not support the business model and in 2014 when the recreational cannabis industry was really kicking off our founder had the honor of meeting author, Bruce Barcott at an industry event. That chance encounter landed Jordan in a few sentences in Bruce’s book, Weed The People. Then flash forward three years that same encounter put our founder in TIME magazine’s special edition, Marijuana Goes Main Street.

Needless to say Primal Therapeutics is ecstatic to be a part of history and she had been carrying her copy of TIME in her bag with her which ended up coming in handy. Just when she thought it could not get any better, Jordan was recently in DC to lobby for marijuana policy reform with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Bruce Barcott was one of the presenters at the 2017 NORML Conference and Lobby Day. She immediately approached Bruce at the conference and requested that he sign her copy of TIME magazine. He wrote, “Thank you for your pioneering work.” Little did he know that is exactly what Jordan calls all of the students she teaches, “pioneers.”

It is moments and memories like this that solidify our space in this movement. It is these times that push us to keep going and to keep teaching and no matter what to remain on the cutting edge of what will become the greatest industry of all time.

(L to R) Jordan Person (Primal Therapeutics), Bruce Barcott (author), Keith Stroup (founder of NORML)

Cannabis Massage Retreat off to a great start

Over the weekend of May 20-21,2017 Primal Therapeutics hosted our first Cannabis Massage 101 weekend of plant medicine retreat. It was an amazing experience. With the cannabis massage retreat off to a great start it has created wonderful momentum for the upcoming classes. Cannabis massage is the modality of the future. These classes will educate massage therapists how to take their careers to the next level.

The retreat was created to satisfy the requests of therapists from across the country. When we realized that the majority of students were traveling from outside of Colorado we wanted to create an experience that would touch the mind, heart and soul, an experience that would provide education on plant medicine during a weekend of wellness. We partnered with other cannabis industry experts to design this special retreat that we will have two times in 2017.

The setting for our retreat was the beautiful Cultivated Synergy located in the Rino neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. It could not have served our needs any better. It provided a safe and comfortable space for our students. The staff were so attentive to our every request and need throughout the entire event planning process as well as the entire event weekend.

“I had a wonderful time during the class. Jordan you did a fantastic job educating our class on cannabis massage. You made it a very safe place to educate. Free spirit with the knowledge to enhance our skills and lives. Thank you so much” -satisfied student from May class.

The expansive square footage allowed us to set up for several portions of the class at once. This made the transition from each portion of learning so smooth. Keeping class size small allowed for a more intimate learning experience. Students were able to have their questions answered and receive individual attention that truly elevated the quality of learning.

After learning about the Endocannabinoid System, terpenes, contraindications, the Entourage Effect, benefits, cannabinoids, and so much more it was time to feel the difference that cannabis makes in a massage therapy session. Students broke into pairs and had the opportunity to use Primal Therapeutics Herbal Body Oil and Primal Salve-Vation during practical application. The students were able to keep the salve to use at their discretion as a gift from their teacher. All of the retreat attendees reported being able to feel the muscles respond to the infused topicals. Thanks to the class being small technique pointers were provided to each student on an individual basis.

“I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the whole experience. The information in the book and from instructor was very informative. The schedule was well thought out and structured in a thoughtful way.” – student from May class

Non-infused brunch was provided both days of the retreat. CBD rich coffee was donated by Strava Craft Coffee and water soluble infused THC and CBD organic teas were donated by Stillwater. Students had the ability to help themselves to the coffee and tea station at their leisure. We are so grateful to both vendors for their generous donations to our first retreat.

Our chef for the infused dinner was Jessica Catalano, author of The Ganja Kitchen Revolution. She prepared a four course dinner for the class using cannabis extractions of THC and CBD. In the first three courses she used strains from Natural Remedies. The terpene profile that each variation provided was chosen to match the dish. Chef Catalano is the pioneer of stain specific cooking. She then used CBD isolate from Soqdet Farms in Arvada for the infused caramel for dessert to round off the meal. Every bite was decadent. Chef Catalano will create a different seasonal menu for the fall class.

The infused yoga portion was created by Jimmy Smrz of Yoga on the Green. He graciously stood in for Ganjasana owner and creator Rachael Carlevale at the last minute due to a family emergency. He did an excellent job at leading our class through an enlightening session of spiritual plant spirit yoga. He activated our endocannabinoid systems with energy movements and activated all of our senses. We are so grateful to him for being so flexible and generous with his time and energy. His class was the perfect way to start our Sunday morning. Listening to the singing bowls at the end was the perfect awakening transition to bring the class into the next portion of learning.

“Your curriculum was in depth and organized. It’s exactly what we need to know as massage professionals and ambassadors of plant medicine. I loved the connection with others who are hungry for knowledge and new experiences. Thank you for creating a fulfilling weekend I’ll never forget!” -student from May 2017 class.

After yoga it was time to learn how to make topicals. Working with herbs is a process and in Topicals 101 students learned the basics on how to begin this part of their journey through plant medicine. Instruction was provided on how to make massage oil and salve. Education included various herbs, necessary tools for topical making, essential oils and the many options that can be used a base for topical treatments. All students went home with organic massage oil created in class and everyone had the ability to create their perfect individual scent using various organic essential oils.

Law has a lot more to do with cannabis massage then many people realize. Jordan has a lot of background in that area thanks to her work with NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) the longest standing consumer advocacy group in the nation. Running the Denver chapter and speaking throughout the country in favor of reforming laws for the cannabis plant are part of what makes Jordan qualified to teach this class. Education was provided to the students on how they can become involved in the activism portion of cannabis massage so that protections can eventually be put into place for massage therapists working with cannabis infused oils and salves.

“One of my favorite parts was learning the importance of activism and how to go about engaging/educating your own community and lawmakers was very motivating to see how far Colorado (thanks to a large part- Jordan and her staff) has come but how much work is still to be done, especially in California.” – Cannabis Massage 101 student

The first Primal Therapeutics certified class of cannabis massage therapists will always be near and dear to Jordan’s heart. Amazing memories and friendships were created and the cannabis massage movement had a nice growth spurt. Anyone can rub cannabis onto a patient and call themselves a cannabis massage therapist. The difference between those therapists and a Primal Therapeutics certified therapist is the level of education we provide our patients and clients. Information is what this industry is lacking. The more knowledge we can provide patients the more they will seek out healing and therapeutic treatments and we can continue to change the world one patient at a time.

We hope to meet you and teach you at our next retreat in October.

“Jordan has got her sh*t together and is a true inspiration! I loved how she put it together; everything worked out perfectly except for it being too short and not enough questions asked. Other than that, it was excellent vibes, and great memories to keep in mind for the future. Thank you Jordan for all your hard work to bring this class together.” – satisfied student.

Buy the topicals designed for our patients

When Primal Therapeutics first started we tried every topical we could get out hands on. There were only a few that were worthy of our patients. We needed topicals that would be good for a variety of skin disorders and types of pain as well as be viscous enough to apply to the entire body. As the years went by our desire for a better product increased. We are excited to announce you can now buy the products designed for our patients! Visit our SHOP here.

The more time we spent working with our patients learning about different disorders that we would be helping with the more we craved research about other herbs that can be used as plant medicine in our topicals. After several courses in herbalism we began to formulate our products. Using friends, family and regular clients as our test subjects we experimented until we received enough positive feedback that we had found the recipe we were looking for.

We currently have four topical products available. Our salve is called Primal Salve-Vation because it will become your salvation. It provides relief to countless conditions. Our herbal body oil is excellent for dry skin especially after a bath it glides over large surface areas. Primal Soak & Scrub can be used in two ways: as a scrub to your face, feet or anywhere that needs extra TLC or add a couple tablespoons to your bath for total relaxation. Last but not least we have Velvet Balm’s. They work like lotion bars, simply hold it in your hand and rub over the skin and feel your body melt and become soft like velvet.

Topicals are an incredible way to learn more about the power of plant medicine. If you have any questions about our products or would like to place a custom order please email us at: primaltherapeutics@gmail.com.