What Is Abdominal Separation or Diastasis Recti?

Written by: Laura Hill (Physiotherapist in Women’s Health).

Abdominal Separation or Diastasis Recti

What Is it?

Diastasis recti is more commonly known as abdominal separation. It is an increase in the distance between your abdominal muscles due to the stretching of the connective tissue (line alba) that joins them together

This is a completely normal process that occurs during pregnancy. In fact, it needs to happen to make room for your baby!

How long will it take till it’s back too normal?

This is different for everyone! The research shows that many remain wider than normal at 12 weeks’ post-partum. Often abdominal separation can go away on its own but there are many things we can do to help rebuild strength and control through your abdominal and assist in recovery.

What can I do?

The first step is to get your separation assessed by a women’s health physiotherapist so that they can determine the distance and the quality of the tissue and see how this fits with how functional you are and the goals you have.

Two simple things that you can begin to do to help with your recovery are:

Abdominal compression: this can be done via high waisted tights, SRC compression shorts or other forms compression (such as tubigrip).
Graded overall and core strengthening program. This will look different for everyone and will depend on what is found in your assessment with your women’s health physiotherapist. It is best to get guidance before going back to high intensity exercise.

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COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIO?

+ WHAT IS WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPY?

This involves treating issues related to pelvic floor, incontinence, pain around the back, hips or SIJ or any pre or postnatal concerns such as Diastasis Recti (Belly Separation) or just wanting the best advice on how and when to exercise before and after your delivery.

+ WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU SEE OUR WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIOTHERAPIST?

At The Running Room our women’s health physiotherapists do a very thorough history and assessment of the key muscles around your belly, back and pelvic floor. These all work together to keep you functioning well. Both Madison Cutmore and Laura Hill have completed further training and are able to perform internal exams if clinically necessary. However, not all women’s health consultations will require internal examination and we are able to assess your condition externally also.

+ WHAT DO WE DO IN A WOMEN’S HEALTH CONSULTATION?

Assess how you are functioning and give you a diagnosis and a clear time frame back to health is our priority. We can also advise on your current exercise level and what exercises you need to do to get back to 100% healthy and happy.

Along the way we may advise on certain braces or supports to help like Belly braces, SIJ braces or recovery pants.

+ WHAT DO WE DO IN A WOMEN’S HEALTH CONSULTATION?

Madison Cutmore and Laura Hill are both passionate women’s health physiotherapists whom have completed further training to accurately assess and treat women who are experiencing symptoms relating to Women’s Health.

Madison Cutmore is available in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs at our Clovelly location.Laura Hill is available at iMove Physiotherapy in Rozelle.

If you require any support with regards to your Women’s Health or anywhere along your pre or post natal journey please reach out.
We love empowering women to remain active through all stages of life and our goal is to keep our amazing women active, happy and healthy.
Use the simple booking portal below and book online to see our amazing physio’s who have a special interest in women’s health physio.