Definition/Anatomy | Rectus diastasis exercises

Definition/Anatomy

One speaks of rectus diastasis when the straight abdominal muscle diverges at its fibrous dividing line. The abdominal muscles are attached to a fibrous plate of connective tissue, the linea alba. It extends from the sternum to the pubic bone and lies around and between the two abdomens of the straight abdominal muscle (M. rectus abdominis).

The oblique abdominal muscles radiate into the linea alba from below. The anterior abdominal wall is rather weak in this part, so that when the muscles are stretched, for example due to overweight or pregnancy, a gap is created which is no longer stabilized by the muscles moving apart. This can extend from the lower edge of the sternum over the navel to the pubic bone and can be up to 10 centimeters wide.

Often, however, the region around the navel is affected. At rest, the rectus diastasis is usually felt as a gap as wide as a finger. Particularly under stress (e.g. lifting), the weak point can cause organs to bulge, which then become bulging under the skin, especially under exertion.

Summary

In rectus diastasis, the straight abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominis muscle, move apart. The result is a gap between the abdominal muscles, which in the most extreme case can be up to 10 cm long, separated from the organs only by a thin connective tissue structure and the connective tissue skin of the organ cavity. This can lead to the protrusion of organ parts.

During pregnancy, the child may become visible as a contour in the uterus. In rectus diastasis, the muscles are weakened and their lack of support can make delivery difficult. The most common cause of rectus diastasis is pregnancy.

Obesity can also lead to rectus diastasis. In most cases, an extensive regular exercise program to strengthen the abdominal muscles helps to correct rectus diastasis. Rarely and only in the case of complicated organ bridges is rectus diastasis corrected surgically by suturing the abdominal muscles.