Diastasis recti is a condition characterized by the separation of the right and left halves of the rectus abdominis muscle, which is the muscle that forms the "six-pack" in the abdomen. This separation occurs when the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles, known as the linea alba, stretches and weakens. Diastasis recti is most commonly seen in pregnant women, but it can also occur in men, women who have never been pregnant, and in infants.

1. DIASTASIS RECTUS ABDOMINIS
Dr. Saima Mustafa(pt)

2. Definition
Diastasis recti is commonly defined as gap of roughly 2.7 cm or greater between
the two sides of rectus abdominis muscle palpated above below or at the level of
umbilicus.

4. ● In pregnant or postpartum women, the defect is caused by the stretching of the
rectus abdominis by the growing uterus.
● It is more common in multiparous women due to repeated episodes of stretching.
● The etiology of this separation is unknown; however, the continuity and integrity
of the abdominal musculature are disrupted. Any separation larger than 2 cm or
two finger widths is considered significant.

6. symptoms of diastasis recti
● Most people don't notice signs of diastasis recti until they are postpartum. You can have diastasis recti during pregnancy, but it's hard
to distinguish because your abdomen is stretched.
● Common signs of diastasis recti during the postpartum period are:
• A visible bulge or "pooch" that protrudes just above or below the belly button.
• Softness or jelly-like feeling around your belly button.
• Coning or doming when you contract your ab muscles.
• Difficulty lifting objects, walking or performing everyday tasks..
• Pelvic or hip pain
• Low back pain
• Poor posture.
• Urine leaking when you sneeze or cough.
• Constipation.
• Feeling weak in your abdominals.

7. Risk factors for developing diastasis recti
● Several factors can increase your risk for developing diastasis recti:
• Having multiple pregnancies (especially back-to-back).
• Being over 35 years old.
• Having multiples (such as twins or triplets).
• Having a heavy or big baby.
• Being extremely petite.
• Vaginal delivery. Pushing can increase abdominal pressure.

8. How do I prevent diastasis recti?
● Some abdominal separation is normal and expected with pregnancy. There are some things you
can do to lower your risk for developing diastasis recti:
• Healthy weight gain during pregnancy: Exercising and eating healthy foods to keep weight
gain within a healthy range.
• Proper posture and deep breathing: Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Take deep
breaths that allow your ribs to expand and not just your belly.
• Safe core exercises: Avoid exercises like sit-ups and crunches that put pressure on your
abdominals after 12 weeks of pregnancy and postpartum.
• Don't strain while lifting: Certain day-to-day activities like lifting grocery bags or your children
can put undue strain on your abdominals.
• Log roll when getting out of bed: If you're pregnant or postpartum, roll to one side and use
your arms to push up out of bed.

10. Variations

11. Diastasis Symptoms and Complications
● It causes the stomach to protrude because of the extra space between the left
and right abdominal muscles. Some people call this a “pooch” or a “mummy
tummy”.
● Diastasis can cause organs, such as the bladder, to descend because the core is
unable to provide the necessary support. This lack of support can lead to serious
medical conditions such as: prolapse, and incontinence (urine leaking) when
accompanied by inter-abdominal pressure (sneezing, jumping, etc). It can make it
hard to move normally.
● In rare cases, if the connective tissue tears, it can cause a hernia. Some
symptoms of diastasis recti include: lower back pain, pelvic pain, hip pain,
constipation

12. Diagnosis
● Your healthcare provider will evaluate if diastasis is present, where it's located
and how severe it is. Diastasis recti can occur above the belly button, below the
belly button and at the belly button.
● Your provider will use their hands and fingers to feel the abdominal area for gaps
and muscle tone. Some providers may use ultrasound, measuring tape or a tool
called a caliper for a more accurate measurement. This exam typically occurs at
your postpartum appointment before being cleared for exercise.
● An abdominal gap wider than 2 centimeters is considered diastasis recti.
Diastasis recti is also measured in finger widths, for example, two or three fingers'
separation.

14. ● Abdominal ultrasonography provides objective evidence for the diagnosis, and
also confirms that the bulge is not a hernia.
● An abdominal CT scan is an acceptable alternative to an ultrasound.
● People can perform a basic self-test for diastasis recti at home by following these
steps:
1. Lie on the back with the knees bent and the feet on the floor.
2. Place one hand over the midline of the abdomen, keeping the fingers flat.

15. 3. Place the other hand under the head and neck.
4. Lift the head slowly and press down
on the abdomen with the finger pads.
5. Feel for a gap between the muscles.
If a person feels a space of more
than two finger widths, they should
contact a doctor.

16. Treatment
Physiotherapy Management:
● Lie on your back, knees bent.
● Cross your hands at your waist and guide your recti muscles towards the midline
to stabilize them.
● Take in a deep breath.
● As you slowly exhale, perform a pelvic muscle contraction and raise your hand off
the bed. (keep your shoulders on bed)

17. ● While you lift, gently pull your underlying
muscles together with your hands. If your
tummy is too large, wrap a sheet or large towel
around the body , and grasp the ends with
opposite hands. Apply same pull
● Slowly return to the starting position as you
breathe in.
● Try to do 10 in a row, at least 3 times a day.

18. ● Do not perform a standard curl-up (raising your shoulders off the bed) until your
center seam does not bulge or hollow and you feel only 2 fingers widths or less
separation between recti muscles.
● If at any time (weeks, months, years later) you notice the gap returning, just
repeat this exercise to decrease it.
● Poorly executed abdominal exercises can cause an increase in intra-abdominal
pressure, this force may cause further recti separation and its accompanying
bulge/ hernia to worsen.

19. ● Hence, it is important to monitor DRA (and the hernia if any) before prescribing
any abdominal exercises. Unsuitable abdominal exercises include sit ups, straight
leg raises, pilates movements, especially trunk rotation activities, such as criss-
cross sit ups which target obliques, can strain the abdominals excessively.
● Weakness in the core muscles contributes to insufficient force closure of the
sacroiliac joint leading to pelvic instability, which can eventually lead to lower-
back and hip pain. In the worst case scenario, this recti separation can result in
hernia.

20. ● At the initial visit, the patient is given instructions on 1) correct body mechanics, 2)
proper posture, 3) appropriate exercises to activate the abdominal musculature,
and 4) appropriate exercises to re-approximate the recti bellies without increasing
insta-abdominal pressure.

21. Progression
● Head lift with pelvic tilt
● Pelvic tilt exercise
● Leg sliding
● Trunk curls
● Modified bicycle
● Core muscle strengthening

22. Special precautions
● Avoid all activities that places stress on the midline, that stretch or overly expand
the abdominal wall
▪ Repetitive trunk movements or diagonal twist i.e. during a tennis serve
▪ Exercises that require lying backward over a large exercise ball
▪ Yoga postures that stretch the abs, such as “cow pose,” up-dog, all back-bends
and belly breathing
▪ Exercise that cause the abdominal wall to bulge out
▪ Lifting and carrying heavy objects
▪ Intense coughing while abdominal muscles are unsupported.

23. EXERCISES TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE DIASTASIS RECTI:
● Standard crunches
● Crossover/bicycle crunches
● Standard sit ups
● Double leg raises
● Push-ups
● Press-ups
● Front planks
● Swimming
● Golf
● Tennis
● Softball

24. THANK YOU