Diastasis Recti is a fairly common condition during pregnancy and post-partum. Also known as abs separation, there is a widening of the gap between the left and right rectus abdominis muscle, at the mid line fascia.
Diastasis Recti reduces the functional strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain and cause pelvic instability.
Risk factors:
- Separation in a previous pregnancy can significantly increase the probability and severity of the condition in subsequent pregnancies.
- Women with multiple pregnancies and multiple birth pregnancy.
- Petite women.
A simple self-test for Diastasis Recti:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent, and the soles of your feet on the floor.
- Roll your upper body off the floor into a “crunch”.
- Check for a gap/separation at your mid line.
Things to avoid when you have this condition:
- Avoid any movement or exercise that places strain on the mid line, like full sit-ups,crunches, oblique curls, reverse
- curls, and full roll-ups and planks.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
- Abstain from backbends and other spinal flexion movements.
If you think you suffer from diastasis recti, please contact us at info@themovingbody.com.sg so we can work with you on a treatment plan.
Image credit: Unsplash, Szabolcs Toth