Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1505456
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION sponsored by SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Perry Antelman, CEO and co-founder of Aidance Scientific, Inc., developers of MYCO CLINIC FOLLOW THE LEADER Q&A How can MYCO CLINIC benefi t massage therapists? The integration of topical functional mushrooms in massage therapy and bodywork presents an exciting opportunity for therapists seeking to bring new tools to their practice and improve client outcomes and satisfaction. MYCO CLINIC products, which combine powerful functional mushrooms with other natural ingredients that have therapeutic properties, can be used to increase the pain relief and anti- infl ammatory benefi ts of massage and bodywork, potentially reducing muscle, joint, and back pain further than massage and bodywork alone. There may be benefi ts for the bodyworker as well, as the anti-infl ammatory properties can be helpful in treating hand and wrist pain from repetitive-use injuries and strain. What are the ingredients used in MYCO CLINIC? MYCO CLINIC products contain all- natural ingredients that have been chosen for their unique therapeutic value, including a proprietary blend of four powerful, functional mushrooms: reishi, cordyceps, lion's mane, and shiitake. Recent scientifi c studies of these mushrooms have reinforced what traditional healers have known for a long time—that there are anti-infl ammatory benefi ts to using these mushrooms, and they have the potential to treat many different infl ammatory conditions. Other high-quality ingredients in MYCO CLINIC products include menthol and camphor, which are powerful analgesics, and natural oils, including coconut, jojoba, sunfl ower, beeswax, and shea butter, which have been scientifi cally proven to penetrate deeper into the skin and absorb faster than synthetic oils. Additional botanical extracts, including arnica, green tea, ginger, turmeric, colloidal oatmeal, honeysuckle, and sweet orange oil, contribute to the powerful pain relieving, anti-infl ammatory, and soothing properties of MYCO CLINIC products. What is the science behind functional mushrooms' ability to reduce infl ammation? Functional mushrooms are rich in bioactive compounds that promote health and healing. They also contain beta-glucans, which are a type of polysaccharide known for their anti-infl ammatory properties due to their ability to regulate various infl ammatory proteins. ganoderma lucidum—commonly known as the reishi mushroom—has been demonstrated to contain a component that acts as a COX-2 inhibitor. COX-2 is an enzyme targeted by certain NSAID medications, due to its pro-infl ammatory activity. In inhibiting this enzyme, these mushrooms decrease infl ammation and often pain, potentially reducing the need for systemic pain medications. Hericium erinaceus, or lion's mane mushrooms, have been shown to decrease pain and synovial infl ammation in osteoarthritis in preclinical studies, reducing infl ammatory mediators in cartilage as well as synovial tissues. This may have huge implications for the future of arthritis research and treatments. Other mushrooms, such as cordyceps militaris and lentinula edodes—also known as the shiitake mushroom—have proven anti- infl ammatory mechanisms as well. What can topical mushroom formulations do to help clients of massage therapists? There is growing interest by clients in natural and holistic approaches to health. By offering clients MYCO CLINIC products, therapists can provide the benefi ts of these powerful formulations as part of their client's home-treatment plan, to naturally provide pain relief, decrease infl ammation, and reduce reliance on conventional pain relief and anti-infl ammatory medications. Aidance Scientifi c is a Rhode Island-based company with over 20 years of experience in developing groundbreaking natural formulations. MYCO CLINIC is a new holistic pain-relief powerhouse, created specifi cally for health-care practitioners, to help alleviate their patients' pain.