7 sept 23

is this the cause of my belly bulge?

I've wondered why getting rid of my midsection pooch was so hard.

I did some research and found there could be an anatomical condition behind my muffin top.

The medical term is diastasis recti.

In post-pregnant women, diastasis recti is a condition in which the rectus abdominis muscle separated due to the pressure the fetus placed on it.

But, anyone can have or develop diastasis recti, even men.

Now how can you tell if you have diastasis?

1. Lie on your back on a flat surface with your knees down. Place your hands behind your head and lift your head a few inches (like you’re doing a crunch). Look at your midsection. If you see a ridge (mound) running vertically from your ribs to your navel, that’s a good sign you have diastasis.
2. A second test is to lie again on your back with your knees down. Place one hand behind your head and place the tips of your index and middle fingers on your other hand an inch or two above your navel. Gently press your fingertips into your stomach and do a small crunch at the same time. If it feels like the sides of your abdominal wall are “grabbing” at your fingers, then you could have diastasis.

Of course, you should check with a doctor to confirm your assertion, but there are things you can do to improve or correct the condition.

First, you have to know certain types of abdominal exercises will only make it worse.

Often these are lateral crunches or anything that would seem to pull the sides of your abdominal muscles even further apart... avoid these.

Outside of eating better and getting in cardio, it's been suggested that you can also wear a splint (wrapped fabric) around your waist regularly, especially when exercising.

Healthcare practitioners usually suggest physical therapy or at-home exercises to assist in repairing abdominal walls. But cosmetic surgeons recommend tummy tucks.

The good news? Surgery isn't necessary.

The bad news? Diastasis recti can lead to hernias, urinary incontinence, pain during sex, and chronic back pain, especially in our latter years.

So checking for and correcting it isn't for vanity's sake.

It's for our health.

Lynn

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