DIASTASIS

RECTI
BY:
Veeno
Pavi
Mila
Manju
Tira

Diastasis recti is a adominal separation of the rectus

abdominis muscle into right and left halves.

Created by stretching of linea alba

Linea alba=connect 2 region

Diastasis recti commonly occur in 2 people

o Newborn baby
Rectus is not fully develop(premature baby)

o Pregnant women
Stretching of the rectus due to growing of uterus

It can occur above, below, or at the level of the

umbilicus but appear to be less common below
umbilicus

It also appear to be less common in women with

good abdominal tone before pregnancy.

Causes from diastasis recti

May produce musculoskeletal complaints, such as low

back pain, possibly as a result of decrease ability of the
abdominal musculature to stabilize the pelvis and lumbar
spine.

Functional limitations

Decreased fetal protection

Potential for herniation.

Special test
1.

Examine by positioning your pt. In supine with the

knees bent.

2. Place one hand behind your head and the other hand
on your abdomen with your fingertips across your
midline-parallel with your waistline at the level of
your belly button.
3. She raises her head and shoulders until her neck is
about 8 inches from the supporting surface.

4. The chin should be tucked and the arms stretched

out.
5. The PT checks for a bulge in the central abdominal
area, which is evident when the muscles have parted.
6. If present it is defined by the number of fingers that
can be inserted horizontally into the gap at the level
of the umbilicus and 2 inches above and below.

Precaution

Test the pregnant patients for presence of diastasis recti

before performing any abdominal exercises.

wait until three days after delivery to perform the diastasis

check, as the muscles will be too slack for a reliable result.

If you had a C-section, you should wait approximately six

weeks or until your incision has healed.

Do not perform a standard curl-up (raising your shoulders off the

bed) until your center seam does not bulge or hollow and you feel
only 2 finger widths or less separation between the recti muscles.

If at any time (weeks, months, years later) you notice the gap
returning, just repeat this exercise to decrease it.

Poorly executed abdominal exercises can cause an increase in intraabdominal pressure, this force may cause further recti separation and
its accompanying bulge/hernia to worsen.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid all activities that place stress on the midline, that stretch
or overly expand the abdominal wall.i.e

Repetitive trunk movements or diagonal twists i.e. during a tennis serve.

Exercises that require lying backward over a large exercise ball.

Yoga postures that stretch the abs, such as cow pose, up-dog, all back-bends,
and belly breathing.

Abdominal exercises that work the exterior abdominal muscles, such as crunches
and oblique curls.

Exercises that cause the abdominal wall to bulge out upon exertion.

Lifting and carrying very heavy objects.

Intense coughing while abdominal muscles are unsupported.

Try to do 10 in a row, at least three times a day.

Thank you.