Separated stomach muscles symptoms

When the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles stretches, the abdomen may look or feel different during a sit-up, cough, lifting task, or getting out of bed. A ridge or dome can appear along the centre, and the area may feel soft or less supported. Some people have no pain, while others notice back ache, pelvic-floor pressure, or difficulty controlling movement.

Symptoms can overlap with a hernia, wound problems, or other causes of abdominal pain. A hands-on assessment considers the whole pattern, including pregnancy or birth history, breathing, posture, strength, and activities that bring on the bulge.

Notice which movements create doming, then reduce the load and breathe steadily during them. Turn onto your side to rise from bed, keep loads close to your body, and increase walking or strengthening in small steps. Avoid exercises that cause pain, pressure, breath-holding, or worsening bulging.

Postnatal physiotherapy can provide an individual programme for abdominal control, pelvic-floor coordination, scar care when relevant, and safe return to work or sport. Bring a description of your symptoms and the tasks that are hardest.

Arrange a clinical review for ongoing pain, a growing or firm bulge, weakness that limits daily care, or urinary or bowel symptoms. Seek urgent help for sudden severe pain, vomiting, fever, faintness, or a tender lump that does not settle when you lie down.

Ask whether your symptoms are consistent with diastasis recti, whether a hernia needs excluding, which exercises to pause, and whether physiotherapy would help. Tell your clinician if symptoms began after a caesarean section, vaginal birth, or another abdominal procedure.