If your abdomen still bulges months—or even years—after pregnancy, or you feel like your core never regained its strength, you may have diastasis recti.
The good news is that in many cases it can improve without surgery through a structured rehabilitation program focused on restoring your connective tissue, core function, posture, and daily movement habits.
Diastasis recti is extremely common after pregnancy, and many people see significant improvement with the right rehabilitation program.
Do I Have Diastasis Recti?
Common signs of abdominal separation include
- Your abdomen still looks pregnant
- You notice doming or coning when sitting up
- You feel weak through your core
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic floor symptoms
- Difficulty lifting your child
- Feeling unstable during exercise
What is diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. If the rectus muscles move to the side, connective tissue in-between the abs (linea alba) becomes stretched out.
Abdominal muscles are the main support for your back and internal organs and they cannot function properly without intact connective tissue.
“Throughout my years working as a prenatal and postnatal trainer, I kept meeting women who had been told their pain, weakness, or persistent abdominal doming were simply things they had to live with. Many had never even heard the term diastasis recti. That’s what led me to specialize in helping clients rebuild core function through evidence-informed rehabilitation.” Morgana Tessler, creator of Close your Diastasis Recti
Start with a complimentary 30-minute consultation. We’ll assess your abdominal separation, discuss your goals, and determine whether this program is the right fit for you.
How long does it take close my diastasis recti?
Working with Morgana Tessler, many clients reduce their abdominal separation by around 50% within two months. Through a combination of exercise, posture, awareness of daily activities, and wearing a belly band (diastasis rehab splint). The time it takes to fully close a diastasis recti varies depending on commitment to the program, level of abdominal muscle separation, and connective tissue strength. Even if it has been decades since your last pregnancy you can still heal your diastasis.
| Without treatment | With rehabilitation |
|---|---|
| Continued core weakness | Improved core function |
| Difficulty lifting | Greater confidence in movement |
| Poor pressure management | Better pressure management |
| Limited exercise | Gradual return to activity |
| Persistent symptoms | Improved comfort and function |
Who is at risk for a diastasis recti?
Common groups are pregnant or post-pregnant women, or people who have undergone abdominal surgery. However, everyone – women, men, and children – can have an abdominal separation.
What causes a diastasis recti?
Intra-abdominal forces (pressure from the inside out) can create a diastasis recti. This can be caused by many things, such as pregnancy, abdominal surgery, constipation, poor-posture, or repeatedly performing abdominal exercises with poor pressure management can contribute to a diastasis recti. Traditional crunches are one example.
I’m pregnant, can I work on my diastasis recti?
Improving core function before or during pregnancy may contribute to a more comfortable pregnancy and can help prepare your body for labor and postpartum recovery. Even in the event of a c-section, knowing how to use your abdominal muscles correctly can make the recovery process easier too.
Surgery
Many people improve significantly with my Close Your Diastasis Recti program, and never require surgery. However, surgery may be appropriate for some individuals, particularly when there is a large separation, significant functional impairment, or an associated hernia. Even if surgery is planned, improving core function beforehand can support recovery.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Whether you’re six weeks postpartum or your youngest child is in college, we’ll assess your abdominal separation, discuss your goals, and determine whether this program is the right fit for you.