Here's Exactly How To Massage Sore Or Tight Muscles With CBD 

From hunching over a desk all day to holding in stress to pushing your limits during your HIIT class, there are a number of reasons you might be experiencing achy or tense muscles. Sore feet, a stiff jaw, or tight shoulders every once in a while are all just part of being human.

Enter: cannabidiol (or CBD), arguably the most talked-about natural ingredient for promoting relaxation and easing muscle tension. CBD can be taken internally—in a capsule, gummy, or oil, for instance—or used topically. If you have sore muscles, consider taking the most direct approach with a topical and apply CBD directly onto the affected area.

Try this feel-good massage after a long day (or night!) out, right before bed. "If you're flexible enough, sit down in a chair and put your foot on top of the opposite thigh so you can see the entire underpart of your foot," says Emily Camp, a licensed massage therapist based in Richmond, Virginia. This will give you the best angle to apply adequate pressure. Camp recommends applying a generous amount of topical CBD balm, like this Seventh Sense CBD Rest Easy Soothing Leg and Foot Cream, which has 200 mg of CBD combined with arnica and turmeric for easing soreness and inflammation.

"This is a great thing to do at night and in the morning, especially if you talk on the phone a lot, chew gum, or experience tension headaches," according to Camp.

To massage the jaw, apply your CBD product and then with both thumbs, press into the sides of your face below the temple. Hold the pressure and slide slowly down the jawline to the front of your chin. "It may be tender," Camp explains. "That's OK!" You may even encounter a trigger point. In that case, "Really press into it to release it, making small circles with your thumbs," she continues.

Chances are, you can relate to feeling like your shoulders are in a permanent "shrug" position. We tend to hold a lot of tension in this area, so it's time to break out the CBD Deep Relief Cream from Seventh Sense; it's a botanical formulation of menthol, arnica, and a high concentration of 100% hemp-derived CBD oil to get the job done.

To target the chest, feel underneath your clavicle until you find the indent where your ribs are. You'll most likely feel some sensitivity here, so be gentle as you press down with your fingers, moving them from the middle of your chest out toward your shoulder.

Studies, like this one published in Science Translational Medicine, have shown that just 10 minutes of massage after a workout reduced exercise-related inflammation and helped cells recover by supporting the production of new mitochondria. Camp recommends that if you're using CBD for post-workout soreness or muscle fatigue—or really, for any of the reasons above—apply it generously. (Don't hold back!) Try Seventh Sense's CBD Muscle Balm—which contains 200 mg of CBD infused with chamomile and peppermint oil—in combination with foam rolling.