Rectus Diastasis Symptoms: What You Need to Know

Rectus diastasis is a common condition that affects many people, men, children and especially women who have gone through pregnancy. This happens when the two rectus abdominis muscles separate, causing a gap in the middle of the abdomen. While this condition is not necessarily dangerous, it can cause a variety of symptoms that can impact your quality of life. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of rectus diastasis and what you can do to manage them.

What is Rectus Diastasis?

Before we dive into the symptoms of rectus diastasis, it's important to understand what this condition is. As mentioned earlier, rectus diastasis means separation. It is the separation of the outermost abdominal muscles which are called rectus abdominus. While this condition is most associated with pregnancy, it can also occur in men and women who have never been pregnant.

A diastasis is caused by continuous stretching in both a forward and sideways direction of the connective tissue that's in between the outermost muscles. This stretching is caused by:

:Pregnancy

:Weight gain in the abdominal area

:Abdominal surgery

:Improper exercises (i.e. crunches & Pilates 100)

:Gymnastics

Common Symptoms of Rectus Diastasis

1. Abdominal Bulge

One of the most common symptoms of rectus diastasis is an abdominal bulge. This bulge can be more pronounced when you are standing or sitting up straight, and it may be more noticeable after eating or when you are constipated. In severe cases, the bulge may be visible even when you are lying down.

2. Back Pain

Because the rectus abdominis muscles play an important role in supporting the back, a weakened or separated muscle can lead to back pain. This pain may be felt in the lower back, and it may be more pronounced when you are standing or sitting for long periods of time.

3. Poor Posture

When the rectus abdominis muscles are weak or separated, it can be difficult to maintain good posture. You may find yourself slouching or hunching over, which can put additional strain on your back and neck muscles.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

Rectus diastasis can also cause gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, bloating, and gas. This is because the weakened muscles can make it more difficult for your body to digest food and eliminate waste.

5. Pelvic Floor Problems

The rectus abdominis muscles are also connected to the pelvic floor muscles, so a weakened or separated muscle can lead to pelvic floor problems such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

Managing Rectus Diastasis Symptoms

If your symptoms are severe or impacting your quality of life, it may be time to seek professional help. Fortunately, there is a non-surgical option available to treat this condition: the Tupler Technique®.

The Tupler Technique® is a research-based program that focuses on strengthening the transverse abdominal muscles and connective tissue to help close the diastasis. The program consists of four steps that progress over 18 weeks, and it includes exercises such as the Elevator, Contracting, and optional Head lifts.

While wearing an abdominal splint, such as the Diastasis Rehab Splint®, can help reposition the muscles and connective tissue, it is not enough to close the diastasis. The splint does not strengthen the muscles or protect the connective tissue from getting stretched. Therefore, it is essential to do the exercises to achieve optimal results.

In addition to the wearing the splint and doing the exercises, the program also provides tips on modifying workouts and avoiding certain activities that can worsen the condition.

By committing to the Tupler Technique® Program, women, men and even children can see significant improvements in their abdominal separation and achieve a flatter tummy in as short as 3 weeks. This non-surgical option is a safe and effective way to treat rectus diastasis and improve postpartum recovery.

Click here to see before and after pictures of people who have tried the program.

Conclusion

Rectus diastasis is a common condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including an abdominal bulge, back pain, poor posture, gastrointestinal issues, and pelvic floor problems. While this condition may not always be dangerous, it can impact your quality of life. If you think, you can manage your symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being.

Watch the video if you need to close your diastasis surgically:

Rectus diastasis is a common condition that affects many people, men, children and especially women who have gone through pregnancy. This happens when the two rectus abdominis muscles separate, causing a gap in the middle of the abdomen. While this condition is not necessarily dangerous, it can cause a variety of symptoms that can impact your quality of life. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of rectus diastasis and what you can do to manage them.

What is Rectus Diastasis?

Before we dive into the symptoms of rectus diastasis, it's important to understand what this condition is. As mentioned earlier, rectus diastasis means separation. It is the separation of the outermost abdominal muscles which are called rectus abdominus. While this condition is most associated with pregnancy, it can also occur in men and women who have never been pregnant.

A diastasis is caused by continuous stretching in both a forward and sideways direction of the connective tissue that's in between the outermost muscles. This stretching is caused by:

:Pregnancy

:Weight gain in the abdominal area

:Abdominal surgery

:Improper exercises (i.e. crunches & Pilates 100)

:Gymnastics

Common Symptoms of Rectus Diastasis

1. Abdominal Bulge

One of the most common symptoms of rectus diastasis is an abdominal bulge. This bulge can be more pronounced when you are standing or sitting up straight, and it may be more noticeable after eating or when you are constipated. In severe cases, the bulge may be visible even when you are lying down.

2. Back Pain

Because the rectus abdominis muscles play an important role in supporting the back, a weakened or separated muscle can lead to back pain. This pain may be felt in the lower back, and it may be more pronounced when you are standing or sitting for long periods of time.

3. Poor Posture

When the rectus abdominis muscles are weak or separated, it can be difficult to maintain good posture. You may find yourself slouching or hunching over, which can put additional strain on your back and neck muscles.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

Rectus diastasis can also cause gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, bloating, and gas. This is because the weakened muscles can make it more difficult for your body to digest food and eliminate waste.

5. Pelvic Floor Problems

The rectus abdominis muscles are also connected to the pelvic floor muscles, so a weakened or separated muscle can lead to pelvic floor problems such as urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

Managing Rectus Diastasis Symptoms

If your symptoms are severe or impacting your quality of life, it may be time to seek professional help. Fortunately, there is a non-surgical option available to treat this condition: the Tupler Technique®.

The Tupler Technique® is a research-based program that focuses on strengthening the transverse abdominal muscles and connective tissue to help close the diastasis. The program consists of four steps that progress over 18 weeks, and it includes exercises such as the Elevator, Contracting, and optional Head lifts.

While wearing an abdominal splint, such as the Diastasis Rehab Splint®, can help reposition the muscles and connective tissue, it is not enough to close the diastasis. The splint does not strengthen the muscles or protect the connective tissue from getting stretched. Therefore, it is essential to do the exercises to achieve optimal results.

In addition to the wearing the splint and doing the exercises, the program also provides tips on modifying workouts and avoiding certain activities that can worsen the condition.

By committing to the Tupler Technique® Program, women, men and even children can see significant improvements in their abdominal separation and achieve a flatter tummy in as short as 3 weeks. This non-surgical option is a safe and effective way to treat rectus diastasis and improve postpartum recovery.

Click here to see before and after pictures of people who have tried the program.

Conclusion

Rectus diastasis is a common condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including an abdominal bulge, back pain, poor posture, gastrointestinal issues, and pelvic floor problems. While this condition may not always be dangerous, it can impact your quality of life. If you think, you can manage your symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being.

Watch the video if you need to close your diastasis surgically: