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.
Who 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 moreWhat Is Diastasis Recti and How Do I Know If I Have It?
An astonishing 60% of women are affected by diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA), and most of these women are first-time moms. When you have diastasis recti, you may still look pregnant even though you're not. In a world where body image is everything, diastasis recti can impact confidence, body image, and overall body function.
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