Daily Dose: Diastasis Recti

A viewer asked Dr. Lacy Anderson about treatment options for diastasis recti.

Diastasis recti is a condition where the fascia, or connective tissue holding the abdominal muscles together, becomes torn. This can happen with weight gain or pregnancy. 

 It will cause the abdomen to bulge in the center while doing sit ups. It can cause pain and discomfort and cause difficulty with abdominal exercises.  

As the abdominal muscles weaken, it can cause increasing back pain as the back muscles try to compensate for the weaker abdominal muscles. Sometimes the fascia is only torn in the lower abdomen and sometimes the tear can extend all the way up and down the fascia.  

For severe rectus diastasis, surgery will be curative. This is often done during abdominoplasty procedures.  

For those with milder symptoms or those who don’t want surgery, exercise can sometimes improve symptoms by increasing abdominal muscle strength. Talk to your doctor to find the best option for you.