What is Diastasis Recti?
A widening of the linea alba, the connective tissue that runs down the center of your abdomen and joins the two sides of the "six-pack" muscle. Diastasis Recti is most common during and after pregnancy as the abdominal wall stretches to make room. It can also happen with weight changes, repeated heavy straining, and in men.
Diastasis Recti can lead to low back pain, pelvic discomfort, pelvic floor symptoms (such as leaking or pressure), and can cause a bulge or "dome" down the midline when you sit up or lift.
What Inspired My Diastasis Recti Poster?
There were actually two different situations that inspired me to create this poster:
- I was working with a pelvic floor therapist who rented a room from my chiropractic office, and she told me that Diastasis Recti was one of the most common issues that she deals with in a lot of her patients on a day-to-day basis (especially post-partum moms!)
- I recently completed a project for a different pelvic floor therapist who is writing a book on Diastasis Recti (which should be out soon!!), which allowed me to learn a lot more about DR and how it affects the body
With the prevalence of Diastasis Recti, I wanted to create art that helped patients understand what is happening to their bodies and how it can affect their overall health over time. I found that many women in my chiropractic practice were suffering from Diastasis Recti without knowing it, and it was causing core instability, which affected all of their daily activities.
Diastasis Recti: Understanding Your Core
The anatomy of DRA:
- Linea Alba: a band of connective tissue running from the breastbone to the pubic bone. The tendons of your side abdominal muscles meet here.
- Transverse Abdominus: your deepest abdominal muscle, wrapping around your trunk like a corset.
- Rectus Abdominus: a long, paired muscle running from your ribs to your pelvis. It curls your trunk forward and controls rib-to-pelvis position.
Types of Diastasis Recti:
- Complete (total separation of the abdominals)
- Infra-umbilical (only muscles under the belly button)
- Supra-umbilical (only muscles above the belly button)
Frequently Asked Questions
Will you be creating more Diastasis Recti posters in the future?
Yes! I'm working on some pelvic floor therapy related posters right now, actually. I'm always looking for more poster ideas, so if you're looking for something specific, let me know! My instagram is @sandyspines
Do you have other pelvic floor therapy posters for sale?
Yes!!! I love creating pelvic floor therapy posters! You can check out my collection here: Pelvic Floor Posters
How do you fix diastasis recti?
Working with your local pelvic floor therapist is an excellent way to help diastasis recti, and any associated pelvic floor symptoms.
