Rectus Diastasis: Therapy

General measures

• Do not strain the straight abdominal muscles while the rectus diastasis is still palpable!
  • Avoid heavy lifting
  • Avoid pressing when going to the toilet – if constipation (constipation) is present, it should be treated dietary
  • Getting up from bed only over the side, ie first roll to the side and then rest on the side of the arm, so as to come to a sitting position
• After birth: do postpartum gymnastics / pelvic floor training.
• Training of the abdominal muscles / rectus diastasis exercises.
• Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program or program for the underweight.
  • BMI ≥ 25 → participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.

Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)

• Physical therapy – rectus diastasis exercises: This involves tensing the muscles diagonally while the therapist holds the diagonal abdominal muscles together; furthermore, the shoulders are pulled up and pushed against resistance.Start of exercise: 2 days after spontaneous delivery or 2 weeks after a sectio (cesarean section)To be avoided:
  • Exercises that train the straight or superficial abdominal muscles (e.g., crunches or situps); these would only exacerbate the problem
  • Exercises with intense backbends (for example, yoga exercises: the camel, the dog or the bow).