What Is Diastasis Recti?
Diastasis recti is commonly known as abdominal separation. It occurs when the left and right rectus abdominis muscle bellies are pulled to the side, away from the linea alba. This happens most often during pregnancy, but men who do heavy lifting or workouts and newborn babies can experience it too, and it's easily identified through a physical examination.
Diastasis recti is a condition that can be ignored or treated and corrected. Beyond the aesthetic reasons people seek treatment, there are also emotional, mental, and physical factors to consider.
The Risks of Leaving It Untreated
Untreated in adults, diastasis recti can lead to lower back pain, poor posture, hernia, constipation, and weakened pelvic alignment. In infants, it usually occurs when the baby is born premature, and if left untreated, it can lead to complications such as an umbilical hernia, which worsens if accompanied by pain or vomiting.
Posture and Exercise
Treatment of diastasis recti involves time for healing and strengthening the abdominal muscles. Observing good posture helps correct or treat diastasis recti by allowing the muscles to return to their usual position, sitting up straight and not slouching stretches the abdominal wall and guides the muscles back into place, and standing and walking properly aid the same process. Proper posture matters when lifting or picking up heavy things as well.
Specific exercises are also formulated to help treat diastasis recti, but a medical note clearing the person for correction and treatment is necessary first. From there, an evaluation with a physical therapist, physiotherapist, or, for women who have just given birth, a postpartum fitness specialist is required. Recommended exercises for strengthening the abdominal muscles include pelvic floor and deep muscle work, which can be done at home or with the guidance of a therapist or specialist.
Surgery as a Last Resort
In some cases, proper posture or a specialized exercise program doesn't fully correct diastasis recti. When the bulge or pouch interferes with daily activities, causes pain or difficulty sitting or walking, or persists for aesthetic reasons despite exercise and posture correction, people may consider surgery, also called abdominoplasty.
Surgery is the last option and isn't typically the first recommendation, it's costly and recovery takes longer. During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are surgically stitched together, closing the gap and eliminating the bulge.
A Common, Treatable Condition
Diastasis recti is a normal occurrence common among people who lift heavy weights, work out, or are pregnant, as well as among infants born prematurely. Sometimes the abdominal muscles return to their usual position on their own; often there are ways to correct and treat the condition to avoid it worsening into constipation, pelvic floor weakening, bloating, or hernia.
With a proper physical examination and a guided or recommended program of exercises and therapy, diastasis recti can be corrected and treated. If you have diastasis recti and need help from a physical therapist, book a consultation with Tribeca Physical Therapy today.