Integrating CBD into Massage Therapy
Q&A with Maggy Troup of Ascend Massage Studio
Insights from the Field
We wanted to learn more about Maggy’s experiences with utilizing CBD in the massage room, so we asked her! Follow along as she answers some questions related to her interests in massage therapy and utilizing CBD topicals.
Tell us why you started using CBD in your massage practice.
I had been using CBD therapies for decades to manage my own chronic pain, long before it became mainstream. Over time, I began hearing the same question from my massage clients: “What can I do between sessions to help with my tension and pain?” Since I was already using CBD in my personal routine with great results, I started talking to my clients about using topical CBD for their own pain and inflammation.
This was during the early days of the CBD boom. With my clients permission, I began incorporating it into my sessions, always checking in with clients to see how it felt for them. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—they felt more relaxed, experienced less pain, and noticed a deeper release of tension. The post-session lasted longer. Their enthusiasm inspired me to dive deeper into the science behind this underappriciated plant.
Learning about the endocannabinoid system and how CBD interacts with the body’s stress, pain, and anxiety responses on a physiological level made it clear: this was more than just a trendy product—it was a powerful therapeutic tool. As a massage therapist, I’m always looking for ways to create more memorable experiences and deliver meaningful results, and CBD checked all those boxes.
Now, I’m known as “the CBD massage therapist,” and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
More than an “Add-On”
Using CBD topicals extends the effects of my sessions and supports the body’s recovery process even after they leave my table.
What inspired you to specialize in CBD education?
The more I began to understand how CBD actually worked, I was surprised at how difficult it was to find reliable, science-backed information. With a BS in Kinesiology, I have learned to ask why—what does the research say, how does it work in the body, and what does safe, effective use really look like?
After searching for years, I became frustrated with the lack of accessible education. So, I went all in. I started formulating and manufacturing my own CBD products just so I could understand every step of the process. I connected with industry professionals, attended conferences, and even completed coursework at Oaksterdam University—an institution known for its reputable cannabis education. There, I was able to explore the history, legality, best practices, and safety standards around cannabis and CBD.
What kept me curious was the complexity and therapeutic nature of the plant itself—its potential to bring hope to people living with chronic pain, neurological conditions, and countless other pathologies. But even more than that, I realized what I really loved was sharing what I learned with others. I found myself constantly answering questions from clients, colleagues, and even strangers online about the legality of CBD, how to safely utilize products and how to determine proper dosing.
More than Just Another Oil
As CBD became trendy, I noticed massage therapists, spas, and even schools were beginning to become interested in CBD add-ons for their services —but most massage therapists didn’t understand why they were using CBD, other than it being popular.
How has integrating CBD therapies into your massage business had an impact on your clientele?
After I began using CBD in my practice, my clients started requesting it—again and again. They were curious, they had questions, and once they experienced it, they were hooked. They loved the added "boost" it gave to their massage sessions and often asked where they could get their own bottle to use between appointments.
Integrating CBD into my practice didn’t just enhance the client experience—it also helped me carve out a clear niche. In a competitive field like massage therapy, it’s not always easy to set yourself apart. But adding CBD into my already orthopedic, sports-focused, results-driven sessions gave me an edge. It blended seamlessly with my existing approach, and now people specifically come to me because I offer CBD massage.
“My clients feel the difference, and so do I.”
I love using tools that help clients feel better longer, and CBD fits that perfectly. It extends the effects of my sessions and supports the body’s recovery process even after they leave my table. That means I can boost my high-quality, effective work—with extended results…without working harder. CBD helps me deliver results that are both immediate and lasting, working physiologically well beyond the appointment. My clients feel the difference—and so do I.
Benefits and Considerations of Integrating CBD into Massage Therapy
Many thanks to Maggy Troup for sharing her story with us and our readers. We love integrating products and other tools, like heated bamboo, into our massages when we have the training are integrating these things with a purpose. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this Q&A where Maggy shares her wisdom regarding the benefits and considerations for using CBD during a massage therapy healing session. If you want to lear more about Integrated CBD massages, view our Continuing Education page for upcoming classes!
Lifelong Learning
Stay tuned for more Q&A style articles from industry leaders and other massage therapists. It is our mission to radically shift the way people view massage therapy and to inspire massage therapists and wellness practitioners to expand your minds and your practices to include an integrated appoach to healing.