Diastasis Recti is a condition in which connective tissue splits into large abdominal muscles in the front of your torso and becomes stretched. This condition is also known as diastasis recti abdominis (DRA). The bulge or ridge appears down the middle of your belly, in this condition.
It affects almost 90% of women after they give birth. According to research, 60% of people still have DRA 6 weeks after delivery, and 39% of women are affected by this condition for 6 months after delivery.
The most common treatments of Diastasis Recti are the physical therapy and surgery offered at Handa Plastic Surgery. Dr. Arjun Handa is an experienced surgeon, who diagnoses and treats your Diastasis Recti.
Overview of Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti, called diastasis recti abdominis. This condition occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles are separate from each other.
The vertical separation due to this condition is not visible before or after pregnancy. After delivery, this condition is visible when muscles are tensed. For example, this bulge shows itself when you sit up from a lying position. Diastasis recti also causes some issues, like back pain.
What are the Causes of Diastasis Recti
Here are the various causes of Diastasis Recti, you must know
Pregnancy
The main cause of Diastasis Rectiis pregnancy. When the baby grows, the abdominal muscles stretch to expand your uterus. These hormonal changes in the pregnancy period weaken your connective tissues and cause Diastasis Recti.
Obesity and excess weight
Obesity and excessive weight conditions also cause stress on abdominal muscles and lead to Diastasis Recti. When the pressure increases in the abdominal cavity, it gives the time to muscles to separate from each other and cause Diastasis Recti.
Incorrect abdominal exercises
If you do heavy and intensive exercises that put pressure on your abdominal muscles, then there is a high risk of Diastasis Recti. It makes this condition worse.
Age and muscle weakening
Age is another cause of Diastasis Recti. As we age, our muscles start losing elasticity and strength. It increases risks of vertical separation of muscles and leads to Diastasis Recti.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Symptoms of Diastasis Recti
Many women experience the symptoms of Diastasis Recti after giving birth to a baby. Here are the signs and symptoms of Diastasis Recti after delivery
- Bulge above or below the belly button
- Constipation
- Difficulty lifting or performing everyday tasks
- Doming as ab muscles contract
- Lower back pain
- Painful sex
- Pelvic/hip pain
- Poor posture
- Softness around the belly button
- Urinary incontinence
- Weak feeling in the abdominals
Complications of diastasis recti
Here are the complications and problems associated with diastasis recti conditions
Hernia
One of the complications arising from diastasis recti is a hernia. Since the condition weakens your belly muscles, it could lead to internal tissue pushing via a weak area causing a bulge in your stomach.
Lower Back Pain
When one group of muscle tissues weakens, other muscle tissues compensate to choose up the slack. In cases of diastasis recti, the stomach muscle separation means the front of your core can not bring the weight of your body. This influences your posture. To make up for this, your back muscle mass constantly tries to keep your core erect. This can lead to undue strain for your lower back muscle and reduce back pains.
Digestive Problems
Your stomach is the center of your digestive system. So it’s only natural that the separation of your abdominal muscular tissues ends in digestive problems. digestive issues that can be linked to diastasis recti are diarrhea and bloating. A study also determined that stomach pains have been some of the most common self-stated signs of women with diastasis recti.
Weak Core Muscles
Diastasis recti negatively affects your potential to contract your belly muscle cell. This lack of ability to assist the body’s weight will result in pain and bad posture. This can affect your lifestyle and physical therapy, and weakens core muscle tissue will prevent you from performing activities.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Because diastasis recti is associated with weakness of pelvic floor muscles along with rectus abdominis muscle , there may be a risk of prolapse. This occurs when the pelvic muscle can’t help the load of the inner organs located in the pelvis. These organs encompass the rectum, uterus, vagina, urethra, and bladder.
How is diastasis recti diagnosed?
Your surgeon will perform a physical exam to diagnose diastasis recti They will feel for gaps in the belly area and determine the muscle tone. An ultrasound or CT scan is performed to diagnose it.
Any gap wider than 2 cm is diagnosed as diastasis recti. It is usually diagnosed at least 6 months after delivery.
It is possible to diagnose diastasis recti yourself. If you lie on your back with your knees bent and toes flat on the floor, use one hand to guide your head and lightly raise your shoulders (a piece like a sit-up). Place your free hand in your stomach and sense for a gap among the stomach muscle tissues. If two or more fingers can shape into the space, speak to your surgeon about diastasis recti.
Treatment for Diastasis Recti
The treatment for diastasis recti is suggested to strengthen the abdominal muscle and enhance their features.
Exercises
Exercises for diastasis recti are indicated to reduce the separation of the abdominal muscles and strengthen muscle mass that provide stability to your belly area. These must be achieved under the supervision of a physiotherapist or surgeon, Complications of physical activities that are not correctly completed encompass worsening of separation and the emergence of a hernia.
Generally, these physical activities are started around 6 to 8 weeks postpartum once authorized by a medical doctor. The surgeon can also propose starting clinical pilates or hypopressive physical activities, as those cause contraction of the transversus abdominis and the lower fibers of the rectus abdominis. They strengthen these areas, without placing stress at the rectus abdominis.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for diastasis recti can be prescribed by a surgeon and has to be guided by a physiotherapist, who may also advise stretching and strengthening of the rectus abdominis, with pelvic ground and lumbar muscle exercises.
A physiotherapy plan should be developed by a surgeon. They also use procedures, along with functional electrical stimulation (FES), that enhance muscle contraction. This procedure can be finished for 15 to 20 minutes and is suitable for strengthening the rectus abdominis.
Surgery
Surgery is considered if physical therapy doesn’t restore the stomach separation. Surgery gives high success rates. Most research reports no reappearance of stomach separation 6 months after surgery.
During the technique, a surgeon will bridge the gap with sterile surgical threads referred to as sutures. Here are surgeries performed to treat diastasis recti are
- Laparoscopy: This is a minimally invasive process wherein a doctor makes one or small cuts to your stomach. The doctor then inserts a laparoscope—a tube with a camera—to look in your stomach and close the distance.
- Abdominoplasty: An abdominoplasty, also referred to as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic procedure that eliminates more skin and fats from the stomach.
Experts Recovery tips after diastasis recti Treatment
When treating diastasis recti, you could also speed up recovery by
- You should maintain proper posture whilst standing and sitting
- We suggest you maintain transverse stomach muscle contracted during the day, by pulling the stomach area into the backbone when sitting and in the course of the day
- Avoid to bend your body forward as much as possible, as this will worsen diastasis
- Whenever you want to bend all the way down to select up something from the ground, bend your legs, and squat your body to keep away from leaning forward
- Changing the children’s diaper on a high surface including a table, or if you need to change it in bed, get on your knees on the ground to keeping off bending your body forward
- Wearing a postpartum belt, if accepted by your doctor, for most of the day or even to sleep, however keep in mind to maintain your stomach tucked in to reinforce the transversus abdominis in the day
Conclusion
Diastasis Recti is a prevalent condition that affects many individuals, especially during the post-pregnancy period. You must know the causes, symptoms, and rehabilitation methods of Diastasis Recti to manage this condition effectively.
Our experienced surgeon at Handa Plastic Surgery suggests you follow physical therapy, appropriate exercises, and lifestyle modifications to gain strength, reduce symptoms, and enhance your quality of life. Consultation with our healthcare doctor is important to ensure a safe approach to recovery from the Diastasis Recti problem.