Noticing a Gap or Bulge Along Your Abdomen?
Physical Therapy for Diastasis Recti Can Help You Rebuild Strength and Control
Changes in your abdominal wall during and after pregnancy can make it harder to get back to day-to-day life. If you’re experiencing diastasis recti in Princeton, NJ, Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy can help you understand how your abdominal wall functions and develop a plan to improve strength, coordination, and confidence. Rather than handing you a standard list of core exercises, our physical therapist will evaluate how your body moves and determine what you need to progress safely.
Understanding Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti occurs when the connective tissue between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles stretches and widens. It is especially common during and after pregnancy as the abdominal wall adapts to accommodate a growing baby.
You might notice a visible gap or a bulging, doming, or coning appearance along the center of your abdomen, particularly when sitting up, lifting, or performing certain exercises. However, the size of the gap alone does not tell the whole story. Your ability to generate tension through the abdominal wall and coordinate your trunk muscles during movement can also be important considerations.
Several factors may contribute to diastasis recti or affect how your abdominal wall functions, including:
- Pregnancy-related changes: As the uterus grows, the abdominal wall stretches and adapts to increased demands.
- Changes in abdominal pressure: How you breathe, lift, strain, and exercise can influence pressure through the abdominal wall and pelvic floor.
- Muscle coordination: Difficulty coordinating the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor may affect trunk control during activity.
- Repeated physical demands: Frequent heavy lifting or other activities that place significant demands on the trunk may contribute to symptoms or make abdominal bulging more noticeable.
- Individual anatomy and tissue characteristics: Everyone’s abdominal wall is different, and factors such as connective tissue properties can influence how the area responds to increased load.
Build a Stronger Foundation for Everyday Movement
At Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy, physical therapy focuses on overall function, not simply closing a gap in your tissue. Your therapist will assess your abdominal wall, breathing, strength, movement patterns, and ability to manage pressure during activities that matter to you.
Treatment may include:
- Deep abdominal muscle training: Targeted exercises can improve abdominal muscle activation, endurance, and control without relying on a one-size-fits-all core routine.
- Breathing and pressure management: Your therapist can teach you how to coordinate breathing with the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor during exercise and daily activities.
- Progressive core strengthening: Exercises are gradually advanced based on your current abilities, symptoms, and goals.
- Functional movement retraining: You can practice strategies for lifting, carrying, getting out of bed, exercising, and other movements that challenge the abdominal wall.
- Hip and trunk strengthening: Improving strength in surrounding muscles can support efficient movement and help prepare your body for more demanding activities.
- Exercise modification and progression: Instead of unnecessarily avoiding certain exercises, your therapist can help determine when and how to safely progress them.
We offer in-network pelvic floor physical therapy to help make treatment for diastasis recti more accessible. Treatment is provided during one-on-one sessions in private treatment rooms, giving you dedicated time with your physical therapist. Appointments are available within 48 hours in most cases.
Feel Strong and Capable in Your Body Again
Whether you want to lift your child more comfortably, return to the gym, or simply feel stronger during everyday activities, your treatment should reflect those goals. Seva Orthopedic Physical Therapy can help you build the strength and strategies you need to move forward with confidence.
Contact our Princeton, NJ physical therapy clinic today to schedule your evaluation and start building a stronger foundation for the activities that matter to you.
Diastasis Recti FAQs
Can diastasis recti heal years after pregnancy?
Yes, rehabilitation may still be beneficial even when your pregnancy was several years ago. Physical therapy can focus on improving abdominal wall function, strength, coordination, and your ability to manage the demands of everyday activities.
Can I do planks or sit-ups if I have diastasis recti?
These exercises are not automatically off limits. Whether they are appropriate depends on your current strength, control, symptoms, and your abdominal wall’s response to the exercise. A physical therapist can help you determine suitable starting points and progressions.
Does diastasis recti always require surgery?
No. Many people with diastasis recti can improve function through conservative management, including individualized exercise and movement retraining. However, surgery may be considered in certain situations, and our team is happy to discuss your options.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!