Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is a very common condition that occurs in women during and after childbearing. As it is described, the two muscles on each side of the stomach tend to separate due to the stretching of the tissues connecting them. These tissues expand as the fetus grows in the uterus creating pressure to the abdominal walls and muscles. The rectus abdominis is the primary abdominal muscle that is located on the front side of the body. The rectus abdominis is divided in half by a thick band of connective tissue called the linea alba. As this tissue continues to expand, it weakens causing a separation of rectus abdominis. How will I know if I am experiencing symptoms of DRA? While the symptoms of DRA develop gradually during pregnancy, they are not always painful but the effects can be painful.
Symptoms of Diastasis Recti Abdominis
- Sexual pain
- Poor posture
- Feeling flabby in the abdominal muscles
- A visible separation rectus abdominis
- Lower back pain
- Hip and pelvic girdle pain
- Weakness in the midsection
Can it be Prevented?
Well, since Diastatis Recti Abdominis is a normal and natural occurrence in women during childbirth there really isn’t much to prevent. At Oklahoma Physical Therapy we try our best to minimize the symptoms and pain of this condition.
Our professional physical therapists will ensure they stabilize your pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles during and after pregnancy. They use their expertise to teach you some of the exercises and strategies that ease your delivery, labor, and restoration of linea alba. If your linea alba is strong, the recovery becomes quick after delivery. So, how do we help you?
How We Help You
Our women’s health specialist, Dr. Mackenzie Barnes therapist will partner with you to create a treatment plan that will effectively manage the symptoms of Diastasis Recti Abdominis. The treatment plan will be created after a gentle abdominal examination that will help determine how much separation has occurred of the abdominal muscle. The treatment plan might consist of the following treatments:
- Training of your core muscles to improve posture
- Manual therapy techniques to aid in closure of the abdominal gap
- Stretching Exercises that will improve posture
- Education on ways to prevent further pain of Diastasis Recti Abdominus