Diastasis Treatment

Until recently searching for diastasis treatment in Abu Dhabi was challenging. At perfect balance all our therapists are qualified in assessment and treatment of diastasis. What is diastasis?

Diastasis, or diastasis recti, is the separation of the left and right recti (abdominal) muscles. The left and right rectus attach along the vertical midline via the linea alba (connective tissue). The linea alba runs from the base of the breast bone to the top of the pubis. Separation can occur anywhere along this line. The separation usually occurs during pregnancy. To minimize the chances of developing a large diastasis, avoid lifting heavy things. This varies from individual to individual, but for most people avoiding lifting anything heavier than a full kettle.

Avoid full cobra (back bend), end range thoracic rotation (as in rotating to your maximum and reaching into the back seat).

Normal movement is good but end range movements that put a lot of tension onto your abdominals are going to stretch your tissues (which during pregnancy are already stretched) beyond their capacity.

Get checked by a specialist women’s health physiotherapist. During your pregnancy you should adhere to the precautions and you can also be doing specific targeted exercises to strengthen your inner pelvic floor muscles. This will help to minimise the chances of developing a diastasis.

Visiting a women’s health 6 weeks post-natally is highly recommended as well. You can only accurately assess for a diastasis after delivery. At this stage your specialist womens health physiotherapist can prescribe the correct exercises for you and ensure you are not doing anything that will make it worse. Common abdominal exercises can make a diastasis worse, so it’s important that you are guided by a professional to ensure that you are doing the correct exercises for you.

One size does not fit all.