I was feeling stressed and achy and my sciatica was acting up. I needed a vacation but I only had sixty minutes. So I went on line and booked a massage with Aleshia Ryan Boucher at Seaside Massage and Spa, located in the heart of downtown Seaside.

“I like to talk with my clients and design a massage specific to their own needs and pains,” Boucher said. I remarked that ordering a massage is not unlike ordering a pizza, meaning it can be customized.

Seaside Massage and Spa opened a few months ago in the Westport Winery building. You enter through the shop called Rust & Dust and head up to a mezzanine level. Seaside Massage and Spa is the first door on the right.

Seaside Massage and Spa has a full menu of sybaritic offerings including Swedish massage, hot stone massage, traditional Thai massage, pregnancy massage, and massage for couples. They also wax. There’s a full menu of therapeutic facials, essential I believe, for a person like myself who has eschewed more radical interventions like injectables and Botox. The spa also offers premiere treatments like the Couples Ocean Escape, a 75 minute luxury experience that includes hot towels, aromatherapy, and light refreshments. Enhancements can be added on to any regular massage such as aromatherapy, cupping (using silicone cups, not fire) and CBD balm.

I decided to spring the extra $20 for the CBD balm add-on. Alishia offered two versions; straight up CBD and one that’s infused with arnica. Both choices are THC-free, which means you won’t get high, but you will get pain relief/inflammation reducing relief. Since my left knee these days is just bone grinding on bone, and I’ve had success before treating pain with arnica, I went for that.

This would be a good time to say Alishia gives a world class massage. There was judicious use of hot towels; she did a little stretching of my neck muscles; I asked for more pressure, not less. Soothing unguents were meticulously worked into my flesh. Unfortunately Alishia and I talked the whole time. We have a nice connection. Next time I’m going to lie there like a blob.

After an hour of professional rubbing, I crawled off the table feeling light and floaty. I went in with a stiff neck, aching shoulders, sciatica, and a sore knee, but after my massage, nothing hurt. Best of all, the positive effects lasted many days.

My friends were all curious about the CBD.

Most of them wanted to know did I get high, which just goes to show you how far we have to go educating people about cannabis. Without THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant, you don’t get high or stoned. I understand that could be disappointing.

The use of CBD oils continues to gain momentum in medical and healing circles with good reason. Scientific studies support the belief CBD is effective in treating anxiety, depression, chronic pain, even acne.

In a perfect world, I’d get a massage every week. I’m sure I’d be a much better person. Whose disposition and attitude isn’t improved from being free of pain and rubbed into euphoria?

The CBD balm doesn’t hurt. In fact, I totally recommend it.

Book your own hour of rest and relaxation at bookseasidemassage.com or call 971-320-0624. Outcall service is also available. Psst. A gift certificate makes an excellent holiday present.