Heali Bump Research

Overview

Positive findings from studies have helped show the following:

• Kinesiology tape can provide additional support for the pregnant belly by helping to lift the bump weight.¹
• Kinesiology tape can be used as a method to significantly reduce low back pain and pain in the pelvic girdle region.^{2, 3}
• Magnesium helps to enhance the flexibility of the muscles, including abdominal muscles that are stretched during pregnancy.⁴
• Vitamin E can help ensure the belly is moisturized and it can minimize stretch marks.^{5, 6}
• Jojoba oil can help to sustain sufficient moisture on the skin and reduce stretch mark intensity and development.^{7, 8}
• The World Health Organization published a dermal absorption report regarding the skin as a permeable route for topical exposures to enter the body for cutaneous metabolism. The epidermis can mobilize chemicals that pass through the outermost layer of the skin.⁹
• Magnesium, vitamin E and jojoba oil are safe for transdermal use for pregnant women.^{7, 11}

Magnesium

• Magnesium is essential for many critical functions in the body and plays a crucial role in the maintenance of cellular function, balance of electrolytes and nerve conduction.¹⁰
• Transdermal magnesium supplementation circumvents gastrointestinal side effects from taking oral magnesium supplements.¹²
• Magnesium is safe during pregnancy to be absorbed transdermally, through the skin and can provide immediate benefits.^{11, 13}
• Magnesium helps to enhance the flexibility of the muscles, including abdominal muscles that stretch during pregnancy.⁴
• Stretching the muscles and increasing flexibility is a recommended strategy to relieve round ligament pain and cramps.¹⁴
• Magnesium’s assistance in diminishing muscle tension can help pregnant women avoid the impingement of nerves or the development of sciatica.¹⁵
• Increased magnesium in the body can improve analgesia, as it inhibits NMDA receptors and central sensitization which results in decreased pain sensation.¹⁶

Vitamin E

• Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is popular in dermatology. It is known for its key role in protecting the skin from solar radiation with its anti-inflammatory properties.¹⁷
• Vitamin E is effective transdermally, it creates a skin reservoir allowing for the vitamin to be retained in the skin and is safe for pregnant women, and their fetuses.^{19, 23}
• Vitamin E applied to the skin has hydrating properties and improves elasticity, skin disorders, structure and softness of the skin through its anti-oxidant properties.^{6, 21}
• Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Striae distensae, stretch marks, is caused by the rupturing of collagen and elastin fibers from either excessive strain or dehydration. Vitamin E can be used as a source to hydrate the skin where there are stretch marks, from its antioxidant properties which prevent transepidermal water loss.⁵

Jojoba Oil

• Jojoba is a perennial plant. The plant is used in numerous medicines worldwide. The pharmacological applications of jojoba oil include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial and anti-hyperglycemia.⁷
• Jojoba oil has been shown to penetrate the skin through transdermal application and is safe for use during pregnancy.^{18, 7}
• Jojoba oil can effectively reduce skin aging, moisturize the skin, increase elasticity and accelerate wound healing through its anti- inflammatory effects on the skin.^{7, 20, 22}

References and Supporting Articles

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4837927/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5751726/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29303216/
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286201409_Magnesium_status_and_exercise_performance_in_athletes286201409_Magnesium_status_and_exercise_performance_in_athletes
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8884185/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827176/#:~:text=Some%20research%20also%20indicates%20that,dermis%20%5B40%2C82%5D.
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8197201/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9777947/
9. https://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc235.pdf
10. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23264-hypomagnesemia
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15123972/
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579607/
13. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0604/2576/5097/files/Study_Watkins_Josling_transdermal_Mg.pdf?v=1636641291
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499970/#:~:text=Round%20Ligament%20Pain&text=During%20mid%2Dtrimester%2C%20the%20round,be%20physiological%20in%20normal%20pregnancy.
15. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10769266_Magnesium_and_connective_tissue/link/0fcfd510110114d119000000/download
16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468697/
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/
18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447442/
19. https://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc235.pdf
20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24442052/
21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/
22. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21211559/
23. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10520295.2020.1751880