Diastasis recti is a separation of your outermost abdominal muscles . A diastasis is caused by continuous stretching of the connective tissue. This stretching can be caused by pregnancy, weight gain primarily in the abdominal area, or abdominal surgery. Certain exercises that can increase your abdominal pressure like pilates or crunches, any activities where you can arch your back can also attribute to a diastasis.
What is the function of my abdominal muscles?
The main job of these muscles is support of your back and organs. Running down the center of the recti muscle is your connective tissue or linea alba. The function of the linea alba is to maintain the recti muscle at a certain proximity to each other. In the case of long-lasting increased intra-abdominal pressure, the linea alba widens and stretches becoming a clear transparent film, resembling saran wrap. If you have a diastasis, your recti muscle is weak and open and your connective tissue is stretched resulting in your organs being held in by thin, weak saran wrap like connective tissue. In order to properly support your back and organs your recti muscle and connective tissue must be brought back together and strengthened.
How do I know if I have it?
Do you suffer from any of the following problems?
- Urinary incontinence with any activity
- Lower belly pooch you just can’t seem to get rid of
- Still look pregnant (when you aren’t)
- Umbilical hernia
- Have an outie belly button when it was once an innie
- Multiple pregnancies (Diastasis can get larger with each pregnancy which is why you look pregnant faster after the first pregnancy)
- Lower back pain you can’t seem to fix.
- a foot ball like bulge when you lift your head off the floor
- Constipation, bloating with eating or GI issues.
If you said yes to any of these then you could have a diastasis! Sign up now for a Free Belly check
How can I fix it?
Rehabilitation of your diastasis non surgically can be possible no matter what stage of life you are in. ZipCore is proud to be offering Tupler Technique® program. This is a research based program that can strength and flatten your stomach non surgically.
During this program:
Because no two people are the same, neither are your health needs. On our first visit, we will work together to develop an individualized plan that best suits you and your lifestyle.
You will be guided and supported the whole way during a week by week program to teach you how to safely protect and strengthen your connective tissue and abdominal muscles so you can do all the activities that you love.
There is so much conflicting information about which core exercises are best for women. It is because of this that we will focus heavily on learning how to engage and use your abdominal muscles correctly. You will also learn safe core exercises to continue to strengthen your core even after you are closed.
We will meet every three weeks to document your progress, add to your exercise program, and identify other problem areas contributing to your core weakness and work towards strengthening them as well. After our time together you can expect to have a stronger, healthier core
The best part! You will start to see results within the first 3 weeks!!