Diastasis Recti
Schedule an appointment with our team of experienced pelvic therapists to create a custom plan of care for diastasis recti.
It is no secret that pregnancy takes quite a toll on your body. While not necessarily normal, it is common for expecting mothers to experience musculoskeletal aches and pains, as well as a common condition that occurs called diastasis recti.
As your uterus continues to expand throughout your pregnancy, stress is put on your “rectus abdominis” muscles. This muscle constitutes two muscles that run parallel from the rib cage to the pubic bone connected down the middle with connective tissue. Without specific muscle training and with the continued expansion of the uterus, it is possible for these muscles to separate along the center seam, causing diastasis recti.
Common symptoms of this condition include:
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A noticeable bulge in the middle of the stomach
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Lower back pain
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Rib pain
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Constipation
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Urinary leakage
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Development of a hernia
Treating diastasis recti:
It is most common for diastasis recti to develop later in a woman’s pregnancy or during/after giving birth. In fact, the muscles affected by diastasis recti can remain separated for up to one year after a woman gives birth. Therapeutic interventions can significantly reduce this time frame, allowing healing in as little as a few weeks for some women.
Some factors that can heighten the risk of developing diastasis recti during or after pregnancy include:
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Being over the age of 35
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Being pregnant with multiple babies
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Having given birth in the past
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Giving birth to a baby with a high birth weight
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Sedentary lifestyle prior to pregnancy
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Fitness lifestyle that involves crunches, sit ups or v-sits
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Chronic slouched posture, rounded shoulders