14 Diastasis Recti – A Condition Affecting Two-Thirds Of Pregnant Women

This month, I had two patients inquire about diastasis recti. As common as this condition is, it is seldom talked about. Given the prevalence of this condition and the pain it can cause, we decided to shed some light on it in this month’s podcast. (View our blog post here) Diastasis recti, also called the ‘pooch’, is when the belly sticks out due to the separation of the left and right abdominal muscles. This condition is most common in the third trimester in pregnancy; all women will have some form of diastasis recti in their third trimester. This condition can cause pelvic floor dysfunction in nearly 66% of expecting mothers. Signs of pelvic floor dysfunction include: Chronic pelvic pain that radiates to the groin, abdomen and back Strong or frequent urge to urinate Burning during urination Urinary incontinence Painful menstrual periods Difficulty with bowel movements and constipation This condition affects not only women, as newborn babies usually get diastasis recti as well, but it tends to go away with time. Men can get it as well, either from fluctuations in weight or poor workout form. It is important to identify if you have diastasis recti and to avoid activities that can cause it to worsen. Some activities you should try to avoid include: Lifting heavy objects Exercises such as crunches, sit-ups, and front planks Backbends, or spinal extension exercises If you have diastasis recti, perform exercises to help strengthen the abdominal muscles. The first step is to consult your doctor to see if your body is ready to perform exercises. New mothers usually must wait six weeks before performing exercises. Several at-home exercise programs, like the Mutu System, Tupler Technique, and The Dia Method, which are specifically designed to help with diastasis recti, can help ensure you’re performing the proper exercises. To learn more about diastasis recti, or to start an exercise program with our health practitioners, call our clinic for a free consultation on 905-593-1605.