Does postnatal physiotherapy treat diastasis recti?

Diastasis Recti is a widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles. It may show as a midline ridge or doming when sitting up, lifting, or coughing, and can occur with weakness, back discomfort, or difficulty controlling pressure. A physiotherapist can assess the abdominal wall, breathing pattern, pelvic floor, posture, and everyday movements. The aim is better function and control, not simply changing how the abdomen looks.

A tailored plan may begin with breathing, gentle deep-abdominal activation, rolling and rising strategies, and controlled loading. Exercises can progress as healing and control improve. Learn how to exhale during effort and avoid repeatedly straining or holding your breath. A clinician can adapt lifting, feeding, carrying, and exercise advice to your symptoms. Recovery is gradual, and an assessment is useful before returning to high-impact or heavy resistance training.

Arrange a review if abdominal pain, a pronounced bulge, increasing weakness, back pain, or difficulty with daily movement persists. Seek prompt medical advice for a painful or firm bulge, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or inability to pass stool or gas. These features may need assessment for causes beyond diastasis recti and should not be managed with exercises alone.

Ask how diastasis recti will be assessed, which movements should be modified, when to progress exercises, and whether pelvic-floor or abdominal symptoms need another review.