Diastasis Recti (Abdominal separation)

Marianne802

After a visit to a specialist, it was discovered I have a small hernia resulting from abdominal separation. I have never experienced any discomfort, in fact didn't even know I had it. I assume is was the result of my pregnancies (9.10lb & 9.11lb).

The doctor just advised to avoid any abdominal exercises. He actually said "do some cardio to lose weight and my tummy would look a lot better".

Anyway, after searching the net I have come across some advice that say it is possible to correct this through exercise, while others have said surgery is the only option.

Has anyone had experience with this? As I said I am not in any discomfort and I would like to see if I can rectify it, but I don't want to make it worse & end up requiring surgery.

aimeelav

Check out" moms into fitness" The trainer is Lindsey Brin and she has diastasis specific exercises. She has a YouTube channel and Facebook page. I had mild separation after the birth of my twins and her workouts and knowledge has been very helpful.

SweatLikeDog

A diastasis is a thinning and widening of the connective tissue (the fascia) that separates the left from the right abdominal muscles. The fascia isn't broken, it's just loose and elastic. If you work your abdominal muscles, they'll get stronger and less prone to bow outward - your potbelly will improve somewhat. A hernia, on the other hand, is a break in the fascia. Straining hard can drive anything inside your abdomen into the hernia. If something gets driven into the hernia and gets stuck, you'll have a heck of alot of pain and a potential surgical emergency. Happened to a friend of mine. You should ask your doc to specify what the risks of your particular hernia might be.

Marianne802

SweatLikeDog wrote: »

A diastasis is a thinning and widening of the connective tissue (the fascia) that separates the left from the right abdominal muscles. The fascia isn't broken, it's just loose and elastic. If you work your abdominal muscles, they'll get stronger and less prone to bow outward - your potbelly will improve somewhat. A hernia, on the other hand, is a break in the fascia. Straining hard can drive anything inside your abdomen into the hernia. If something gets driven into the hernia and gets stuck, you'll have a heck of alot of pain and a potential surgical emergency. Happened to a friend of mine. You should ask your doc to specify what the risks of your particular hernia might be.

OK. The doc actually said "hernia". I googled myself and thought hernia and diastasis were the same thing. I will check with a doc first.

mutugirl2014

If you have diastasis you can heal it! Even if it is a hernia some people find success with similar exercise. http://www.thisreadingmom.com/?p=66 those are some thoughts on the program I use. There is lots of talk on the members board of hernias as well. I don't have any experience with it, I just know others with small hernias are using it with great result!

Lofteren

If the fascia is ruptured (herniation) then you can't fix it with exercise and surgery is your only choice. If the fascia hasn't ruptured you can slowly build the abdominals and it may tighten up some. Emphasis on "slowly", the fascia being stretched out means it is now thinner and more vulnerable to rupture.

t98j02

I have diastasis recti due to my pregnancies. I've had it for several years & like you I didn't even know that I had it. After my babies where born I was left with a ugly bulge in my stomach when I would try to sit up from a laying position. No pains though. I had no idea what it was till I showed my doctor. I also had a umbilical hernia. The surgeon repaired the hernia, he explained to me that the buldge as I sit up is from the diastasis it is not a hernia, it's like SweatLikeDog stated above its the thinning & separation of the abdominal wall. And its probably due to the two pregnancies. I have for a couple of years tried to do different exercises to help heal it on my own,which they have helped a little. But it is not going completly away. My doctor & surgeon both have told me the only way to completely heal my diastasis,because it is a large separation, is to have surgery also known as a full tummy tuck. My umbical hernia however was repaired and thankfully I have had no problem with that since. Hopefully yours is not to large so you can try modified ab crunches & such there are exercises to help heal diastasis recti. But talk to your dr first & do the exercises as shown (I found several on YouTube) otherwise you could make it worse. I know because doing regular crunches before I knew I had this I think made it worse.

mutugirl2014

Doctors are wrong when they say diatasis can only be healed by surgery. A physical therapist friend of mine says that is what doctors know with their training but PTs receive more training on the muscle-skeletal system and know more about how to fix. DRs still mainly view diastasis as a cosmetic issue not a body function issue. The program I use is a complete body rehabilitation program with core workouts and intensive workouts designed to repair the body. I would encourage you to find a complete program and try to heal your body that way before choosing surgery. You wouldn't be the first who had healed it without surgery! http://www.thisreadingmom.com/?p=66

Moter98

Check out Mutu System. I do this program for my diastasis and its helped me a lot. It gives you exercises to help close the gap and strengthen the connective tissue as well as intensive exercises further on in the program. They even have a Facebook support group you can join when you sign up. I did this program through my third pregnancy and managed not to further widen it and then afterwards, it helped me to strengthen up the connective tissue again. Also gives you guidance on what exercises to do and which to avoid.

Marianne802

Thanks everyone.

OK. So if it is only diastasis I could try and heal it on my own, but if a hernia is involved I should consult a specialist first.

When the specialist told me hernia and said avoid stomach exercises I wasn't on my health kick. I remember thinking "you beauty" excuse not to do them. So I didn't ask any more questions.