Diastasis rectus abdominals (DRA) is a common condition many postpartum women are familiar with. If you haven’t been pregnant you may not even know what this condition is. But did you know you can get diastasis rectus abdominus without ever being pregnant? There are other reasons someone, including men, might develop DRA.
Should You Get Surgery To Correct Your DRA?
Abdominal separation can be difficult to manage. Is surgery the right choice to correct your abdominal separation? Or can you regain function again working with a pelvic floor physical therapist? While exercises alone may not fully close your abdominal separation, what exercise does do is build strength and stability in the musculature to improve your function and symptoms enough that you can return to normal daily activities.
Physical Therapy or Personal Training-Which One Is Better For Your Needs?
There may be confusion between the roles of a physical therapist and a personal trainer; even the letters at the end of our names are very similar (PT for physical therapist and CPT for certified personal trainer). And to be honest, there is some overlap between the two professions. When you have an injury or are experiencing pain or a loss of body function, I highly recommend starting your healing journey with a visit to your local physical therapy clinic. Especially if the issue you want to fix is diastasis abdominals recti.
Identifying and Minimizing Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (DRA) in Pregnancy
Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (DRA), or abdominal separation, is very common during pregnancy. In fact, a study found that diastasis rectus abdominus “may affect up to 100% of pregnant women and it may persist in the immediate postpartum period in 35-60% of women.” By being aware of the existence of abdominal separation, which needs to occur to some degree to make room for the baby, you can start to prepare your core for birth and postpartum during pregnancy to reduce the effects of abdominal separation after birth.
The Truth About Pelvic Organ Prolapse: What is it and how can I heal it with pelvic floor physical therapy?
Pelvic organ prolapse is the descent downward of one or more of the pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, or rectum) into the vaginal canal. When you have pelvic organ prolapse you could experience a number of symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy can be tremendously helpful in managing your symptoms.
Healing Postpartum: How Long Does It Really Take To Recover From Childbirth
There is a serious problem with postpartum care in America. What is it you ask? There is none! At least not the kind and amount that women should be getting after birth. Pregnancy is a long 9-month journey of hormonal, postural, muscular, and functional changes. Then you birth a baby, an event that stresses your entire system causing hormonal changes, physical changes, and possibly mental changes.
It’s inconceivable that women can just rest for 6 weeks and then “bounce back” to normal functional activities and exercise. Taking the time to build your foundation and slowly return to high-impact exercise reduces your risk of injury, pain, and incontinence postpartum.
The Whole Body Is Connected: Why Physical Therapists Need To Treat The Whole Body And Not Just The Pelvic Floor
The connections in the body go much deeper than just the bones and muscles being connected together. Our thoughts, emotions, stress levels, habits, movement routines, and diet all tie into our body’s function. When the body is totally ramped up from stress, trauma, injury, poor diet, and/or sleep habits, it’s really difficult to get results. Your pelvic floor can be hypertoned. You can have increased pain. Increased leaking. Pelvic organ prolapse. Or any other symptoms.
Exercising with Diastasis Recti: Busting Myths
With the right technique, progression, form, and guidance, you can do ANY exercise with diastasis recti. It’s all a matter of starting slow, building a foundation, and working up to more challenging exercises. This is how you safely return to exercise with diastasis recti.
What is Pudendal Neuralgia and Why Does It Happen?
Have you birthed a baby and now noticed some numbness, sharp burning pain, or a swollen feeling “down there”? Or maybe you're having a high incidence of urine or fecal incontinence? This may be Pudendal Neuralgia and unfortunately, this condition happens in about 32% of vaginal births.
Read moreWho Needs Pelvic PT?
It can be confusing when it comes to pelvic floor physical therapy. Often times it’s thought of as a therapy for women who have given birth. But this is NOT the case. Anyone can benefit from pelvic floor physical therapy… even men! Read on to find out more about who can benefit from pelvic floor therapy.
Read moreKeeping Your Pants Dry During The Holidays
The added pressure that we put upon ourselves during the holidays can cause a serious uptick in pelvic floor symptoms. Have you ever noticed that your pelvic pain or leaking increases during the holidays or stressful situations? Why does worrying about making a holiday meal or ensuring everyone makes it to grandma’s on time cause pelvic pain or peeing your pants?
The 4th Trimester Revealed- What No One Talks About After Birth
The 4th trimester is a difficult period of adjustment where you may not be sure what's going on or how to deal with it. Most moms feel totally unprepared for this trimester. Surrounding yourself with a support system and healthcare professionals like a pelvic floor physical therapist can greatly improve the postpartum healing process.
Preventing & Recovering From A C-Section
Find out what is a C-section, How to Recover, and Chances at a VBAC.
Read morePrepping for Postpartum - It’s Easier Than You Think
Pelvic Physical Therapy can help heal your body postpartum. Learn what exercises are safe for you to do immediately following birth and how to reconnect to your pelvic floor and abdominal systems post birth.
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