3 Most Popular Non Invasive Diastasis Recti Treatment: Effectiveness & Price

diastasis recti abdominis
Diastasis Recti

Congratulations on your new baby! If you were fortunate enough to have had a comfortable pregnancy, you might be wondering why your postpartum period feels so different.

Don't worry, you're not alone. Your body changed, your core and pelvic floor muscles changed to accommodate your growing uterus.

For most women, this is due to diastasis recti which can take 12 months to heal. The good news is that there are many methods to help your body heal quickly, without painful and expensive surgery.

What is diastasis recti and what causes the condition?

Diastasis recti abdominis is a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. It is a common condition that occurs when your growing baby stretches the muscles in the abdomen, causing them to separate. This can create a gap of several inches between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles. The gap is called diastasis.

Diastasis Recti can be caused by a variety of factors. Pregnant and postpartum women experience it the most, although it can also happen to anyone including newborn babies or men. Individuals who are overweight, have a persistent cough or performed unsafe abdominal exercises, or lift heavy weights incorrectly may have DR.

Top 3 most popular non-invasive diastasis recti treatments

1) Core building exercises:

Exercise for Diastasis recti caused commonly during pregnancy
Core building exercises

  1. Core-building exercises can help strengthen and tone the muscles in the abdomen, which may help improve the appearance of diastasis recti and reduce symptoms such as bulging or pouching in the abdominal area.
  2. Diaphragmatic breathing, standing pushups, and the bridge pose are all exercises that can help target the core muscles and improve their strength and endurance. These exercises may also help improve posture, balance, and stability, and may help reduce the risk of back pain.
  3. However, in more severe cases, diastasis recti surgery may be necessary to repair the connective tissue and fix the abdominal separation. Healing diastasis recti may require a combination of treatments with regular diastasis recti exercise and physical therapy.
  4. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting with any exercises to heal diastasis recti, especially if you have a medical condition or have recently given birth.

2) Tummy Binding:

Tummy Binding to heal diastasis recti after pregnancy
Tummy Binding

  1. Tummy binding involves wrapping a cloth or thin band tightly around the abdominal area in order to provide support and stability to the abdominal muscles. This process can help to keep the muscles together, which may help to fix diastasis recti. The band or cloth should be wrapped snugly, but not so tight that it causes discomfort or difficulty breathing.
  2. Tummy binding can be done using a variety of materials, such as a postpartum girdle, a belly wrap, or a stretchy band. It is important to follow the instructions provided with the binding product and to use it as directed. Tummy binding bands are widely available and cost around $10-20 or you can just use a piece of cloth.
  3. Tummy binding should be used in combination with other treatments, such as core-building exercises and physical therapy, in order to achieve the best results.

3) EMS Machines (or alternatives such as Tesla Former & EmShape):

Kim Kardashian and Emsculpt
EMS
  1. EMS machines are non surgical diastasis recti treatment that uses high electrical muscle stimulation energy to stimulate muscle contractions in the treated area. It is designed to help strengthen and tone the muscles in the abdomen and buttocks, and may also be used to help improve muscle definition in other areas of the body.
  2. The muscle contractions that are stimulated during an EMS treatment can help build and strengthen the ab muscles, which helps to improve your core strength and the appearance of diastasis recti.
  3. EMS Machines can provide a promising result when combined with at-home exercises and can cost you around $200-$500 per session.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Diastasis Recti Serious?

For most, diastasis recti is not a dangerous or harmful condition. However, many people experiencing diastasis recti have frustrating side effects as they can be either cosmetic, emotional, functional, or all three. Some of the side effects includes Belly pooch.

Is Divarication Of Recti The Same As A Hernia?

No. Divarication of recti is the separation of your rectus abdominis. Hernia is the protrusion of internal organs through the muscle wall. For extreme cases of diastasis recti, complications may include umbilical hernia.

What Causes Diastasis Recti?

In some people, excess pressure causes diastasis recti. When pregnancy is over, the abdominals and connective tissue stretch. Women get Relaxin hormone to which the muscle gets softened and widened which allows the connective tissue to stretch and separate much easier.

What Happens If Diastasis Recti Goes Untreated?

Until treatment has begun, diastasis recti can cause pelvic floor dysfunction, back, poor posture and pelvic pain. If diastasis recti is left untreated it may also cause umbilical hernia.

What Is Diastasis Recti Caused By?

Diastasis recti occur when a muscle in the abdomen has been separated by excessive stress. In many instances, pregnancy or heavy lifting can cause Diastasis recti. It will typically heal itself or physiotherapists and EMS treatments are available as an option to treat this.

What Causes Diastasis Recti In Males?

Diastasis recti are commonly seen in women post pregnancy but can also be seen in men due to improper exercise and weight lifting.

Can Diastasis Recti Affect Men?

Yes, Diastasis recti can affect anyone including men, but in men, diastasis recti can be due to improper exercise and can lead to a lot of other serious problems like erectile dysfunction.

Diastasis recti in men
Diastasis recti in men

Can You Do Anything About Diastasis Recti While Pregnant?

The majority of women have this problem while pregnancy occurs. The condition can be improved by removing and strengthening the deep core muscles and abdominal wall with the help of several abdominal exercises. Moms into fitness show us how!

Do I Have Diastasis Recti Or Am I Just Fat?

When you think you are suffering abdominal injuries from pregnancy it is possible that it may be caused by a torn abdominal muscle in the abdomen. Usually, when you put a couple of fingers pressed around your navel area, and you feel the gap of ~2 fingers between the abs muscle, it may be diastasis recti.

How Common Is Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy?

Diastasis recti mean your belly is stretched as a result of the left-right-sided muscle expansion. This is a widespread problem among ladies during pregnancy. It affects almost half of pregnant females.

How Do I Know If I Have Diastasis Recti?

Place your hand on your belly button with your fingers pressing down the midline of your belly button and measure how far apart your rectus muscles are. Check if there are gaps (~ 2 fingers or more) around the abdominal wall muscles.

How Do You Fix Diastasis Recti Hernia?

Diastasis recti may be treated with physical therapy, at-home exercises, or EMS treatments. For severe cases, it may be repaired using invasive surgery such as abdominal tucks. Surgery is performed when cases of hernia happen.