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Did you know that this small abdominal defect can affect your overall health?
The structure of the abdomen plays a key role in our physical health. However, many people are familiar with an abdominal defect that can affect their overall health: Diastasis Recti. The condition is most common in newborns and pregnant women, but virtually any adult, including men and non-pregnant women, can be affected.
Diastasis recti refers to an increased gap between the left and right rectus abdominis muscles, which is caused by stretching of the linear white (linea alba) connecting the muscles on both sides.
Distasis recti is usually seen as a bulge in the midline of the abdomen, extending from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus. This bulge will be more noticeable when you exert force, but may disappear when you relax. In the physical diagnosis of diastasis recti, the doctor determines the severity of the gap by assessing whether the inner border of the rectus muscle is palpable when it contracts.
Causes of diastasis recti
Many factors may contribute to the development of diastasis recti. For pregnant women, it is very common for the rectus abdominis to be stretched as the uterus grows. Especially for multiparous women who experience repeated stretching effects due to multiple pregnancies, the chance of diastasis recti increases. For women with infertility, increasing age or having a high birth weight baby are also risk factors. In addition to pregnancy, excessive abdominal movement may worsen this problem.
Standard exercise often cannot fully heal a separated muscle, so physical therapy is often necessary to repair it.
Diagnosis of diastasis recti
Diagnosis of diastasis recti mainly relies on physical examination. Doctors will measure the separation distance of the rectus abdominis muscles at rest and in a contracted state. Generally speaking, diastasis recti can be diagnosed if the separation distance is 2.7 cm or more. Ultrasounds are sometimes used to rule out hernias or other abdominal problems.
Treatment methods: from pregnancy to postpartum
For pregnant women, no treatment is usually required and the separation will resolve naturally after delivery. However, stretching of connecting tissues can lead to long-term muscle weakness, which can affect the health of the lower back and normal posture. As a result, many people continue to deal with the consequences of diastasis recti after childbirth.
Even small abdominal defects can often cause bothersome pain or posture problems in the future.
Intensive training and other treatment options
Regarding the strengthening method of diastasis recti, systematic training shows that muscle exercise during pregnancy and postpartum can effectively reduce the width of diastasis recti. Many experts recommend using a variety of techniques to strengthen abdominal muscles, including postural training, proper lifting techniques, manual therapy, and multi-functional training. In addition, interventional treatments such as abdominoplasty are viable options in extreme cases because they can create folds and suturing of the abdominal muscles, ultimately resulting in a tighter abdomen.
Summary
Diastasis recti is a minor abdominal problem but can have profound effects on overall health. By understanding its causes, diagnosis, and treatments, we may be able to find better prevention measures and solutions. So, faced with such health challenges, what actions should we take to improve our physical condition?
