It Is Never Too Late to Fix Abdominal Separation!

Do you still have abdominal separation years after your last pregnancy? Are you wondering if It’s too late? Well good news, research shows that it is never too late to fix that abdominal separation!

What is diastasis Rectis? Abdominal separation or rectus diastasis is the widening of the distance between the two bellies of the rectus abdominal muscle at the linea alba. This can commonly occur as a result of a growing baby during pregnancy with the thinning of the six pack muscles.

A common myth is that because the diastasis recti doesn’t bother women, they leave it untreated. However, over the years, it can increase in severity and further weaken the core muscles with certain everyday activities.

Untreated diastasis recti can result in:

-          Hernias

-          Incontinence

-          Pelvic and hip weakness

-          Lower back pain

-          Postural imbalance

SO, how can physiotherapy help fix this diastasis recti?

1.      Correct lifting and manual therapy education.

Your Women’s Health Physiotherapist can discuss with you safe and correct ways to modify everyday activities that may cause increased strain and pressure through the abdomen. Some modifications include:

-          Picking up your baby in a squat position close to your body rather than with arms stretched out

-          Rolling to the side and then pushing yourself up in bed rather than sitting up

-          Exhaling during lifting or tensing your pelvic floor and deep core with coughing & sneezing

2.      Utilising abdominal binding for support in the first month of pregnancy or use of specific taping

3.      Specific deep core and pelvic floor training

A graded core and pelvic floor strengthening program with education on what exercises are going to benefit your abdominal muscles versus what may cause further weakening – eg. avoiding any exercises that cause hard doming.

It is important to keep in mind that physiotherapy is the first line treatment when managing rectus diastis however in the lower chance that it does not improve, surgery is the next option. Physiotherapy aims to target the functional and physiological problems of the body rather than just the aesthetics. It is important to note that for some individuals, these aesthetic changes cannot be completely reversed with physiotherapy or even surgery however the strength and biomechanics of the body can be improved.

For a detailed consult and clear management plan, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our Women’s Health Physiotherapist who can get you started on fixing your abdominal separation now.