Diastasis Recti

Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is a fairly common condition of pregnancy and postpartum in which the right and left halves of Rectus Abdominis muscle spread apart at the body's mid line fascia, the linea alba.
Widening and thinning of the mid line tissue occurs in response the force of the uterus pushing against the abdominal wall, in conjunction with pregnancy hormones that soften connective tissue.

A mid line of more than 2 to 2.5 finger-widths, or 2 centimeters, is considered problematic. Diastasis recti can occur anytime in the last half of pregnancy but is most commonly seen after pregnancy when the abdominal wall is lax and the thinner mid line tissue no longer provides adequate support for the torso and internal organs.

A small amount of widening of the mid line happens in all pregnancies and is normal. Diastasis recti occurs in about 30% of all pregnancies. Some postpartum women's mid lines close to less than 2 finger-widths spontaneously, but for many, the tissue remains too wide, causing problems.

Diastasis recti can also be seen in infants and adults with excessive abdominal visceral fat.

Exercise
Physical therapists don’t have one standard guideline on what moves will bring the belly muscles back into line. Some research found success with the Tupler technique. It involves certain exercises done while wearing a belly splint, which protects and holds the ab muscles together.

When the connective tissue has healed, some Pilates or other exercises may help you strengthen and rely more on your transverse (deep core) belly muscles instead of the outer ones. Not all Pilates or strengthening moves are good during pregnancy, though, so make sure you're working with a trainer who knows what "diastasis recti" means.

Treatment
If your abdominal separation is not too big, you may decide to live with it. But you should bring those muscles back together before you have another pregnancy.
Many women can close their belly gap by learning gentle movements to use while the abs are supported. Ask your doctor for advice.
If that rehab won’t work for you, maybe surgery will. An operation to correct diastasis may be called "abdominoplasty" or "a tummy tuck."

The surgeon folds and sews together the weak central ridge.
It might be possible to get laparoscopy, which is surgery done with only small cuts instead of one large one. Scarring, infection, and other side effects are possible with any operation.

Watch:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET96fd7ess8

Diastasis Recti self check:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvybTZiLqRE

Know more about diastasis recti:
https://diastasisrehab.com/what-is-diastasis-recti
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/diastasis-recti/faq-20057825
http://www.befitmom.com/diastasis_recti.html

#diastasisrecti   #postpartum   #fitnessafterpregnancy   #abdominoplasty