Diastasis recti is the separation of the rectus abdominis (6 packs) muscles , which is common in postpartum women. A minor separation (1-2 fingers width) is often not something to be worried about. 

 

A more severe separation (>2 fingers width), especially when it's accompanied with other symptoms such as back pain, pelvic girdle pain, leaking urine etc, is worth to be examined and addressed by a women health physiotherapist. 

 

A diastasis recti with a poor intra abdominal pressure control 腹内压控制can cause umbilical hernia/ belly hernia. This happens as part of the intestine pushes through the gap of the abdominal muscles and can be seen as a bulge on the belly button. 

 

Below is a case sharing of a client with diastasis recti and umbilical hernia疝气.

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Ms Y came to me after giving birth to 3 kids in 4 years. Her main concern was the bulging of her belly button/ umbilical hernia肚脐疝气 (her gynae suggested a surgery to address the hernia), the big belly and general weakness that was affecting her day to day activities. She was also dealing with tailbone pain, back pain, leg numbness and incontinence 尿失禁 (leaking urine) at the same time. 

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She seemed to be experiencing lots of different symptoms however all these symptoms were actually interrelated, meaning all can be treated at the same tim. I worked on balancing the muscles around her pelvis, belly and pelvic floor, closing her pelvic bones that have been in an open birthing pattern since her first birth and lastly guided her step by step through awakening her deep core muscles.  

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She showed a huge improvement in just 4 sessions (done over 6 weeks). Most of her pain/ discomfort has resolved and she was confident enough to return to dancing (she is a dance teacher) after another few weeks of core/ muscles strengthening. 

 

I rarely share before and after photos as how the belly looks doesn't really matter to me as a therapist (I am always more concerned about the pain/function as that tells me where the imbalances are). However what  I do know is, when the pelvis returns to its optimal alignment and the muscles surrounding it regains its coordination, a flatter tummy will eventually return. 

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