Signs of Incisional Hernia with Diastasis Recti: Tupler Technique® Checklist

Is that midline bulge just diastasis recti, or could an incisional hernia be involved? Use this practical Tupler Technique® checklist to spot common signs, protect your abdominal wall during daily life, and understand when to get medical input. The goal is simple: fewer flare-ups, better pressure control, and safer movement patterns—every day.

Common Signs to Watch For

  • Bulge near a surgical scar that appears with effort and reduces at rest.
  • Pressure, ache, or dragging sensation after activity or at day’s end.
  • Visible doming along the midline during sit-up-type moves.
  • Sensitivity over the incision region when coughing or lifting.
  • Clothing imprint signs: waistband marks over a recurrent bulge. Important!

Your Tupler Technique® Safety Checklist

  • Exhale before effort; then gently draw belly inward (no rib flare).
  • Use hand support at the abdomen for cough/sneeze; avoid breath-holding.
  • Log-roll for bed and floor transitions; avoid jackknifing up.
  • Hip hinge to pick up items; keep loads close; use your legs.
  • Pause any task that causes doming; modify position or intensity.
  • Use comfortable approximation during practice to reduce lateral splay.
  • Track symptoms daily: bulge frequency, discomfort, end-of-day fatigue.

Self-Check: What You Can Monitor

While diagnosis is medical, you can track patterns:

  • Bulge behavior: Does it appear with strain and reduce when lying down?
  • Provokers: Which tasks trigger it (lifting, coughing, sit-ups)?
  • Doming test: Any forward abdominal peak during effort? If yes, reduce load.
  • Midline depth/width: Note changes over weeks with consistent practice.

The Stoplight System: Green, Yellow, Red

Green (Go)

  • No doming, no pain, no persistent bulge after task completion.

Yellow (Modify)

  • Occasional mild bulge that reduces with rest or better breath strategy.
  • Fatigue by day’s end—cut volume or split tasks into chunks.

Red (Stop & Consult)

  • Bulge becomes painful, non-reducing, discolored, or associated with nausea/vomiting.
  • Sudden escalation of symptoms or bowel changes—seek urgent care.

Everyday Protection Strategies

  • Bathroom mechanics: Footstool, exhale, relax pelvic floor—no straining.
  • Breath cadence: Inhale to prepare, exhale to move; keep chest quiet.
  • Posture breaks: Reset ribs over pelvis every 30–60 minutes.
  • Training snacks: 30–60 seconds of TA practice sprinkled through the day.
  • Recovery: Hydrate, nourish, and sleep to support fascia remodeling.

Need a structured pathway? Start with the free Introductory Workshop and learn the week-by-week plan.

When to Seek Help

Any rapidly worsening pain, fixed bulge, fever, or GI changes needs prompt medical attention. A collaborative plan with your provider plus the Tupler Technique® creates the safest long-term path.

FAQs

Back to blog

Leave a comment