As your body goes through different stages in your life, it is common to see changes in your abdominal area. Sometimes, it may look saggy or come with a bulge. When this happens, you might assume that it is nothing more than just the effect of weight loss. When in reality, it can also be a sign of diastasis recti, a condition where your abdominal muscles have separated.
While diastasis recti is generally not life-threatening, there is a chance that it may disturb your daily comfort. Finding the right treatment is the key to restoring your muscle strength and minimising the discomfort. Here is a guide to understand more about the condition and the available treatments in Singapore.
What Is Diastasis Recti?
Diastasis recti (DR) is a medical term referring to a condition where rectus abdominis, or commonly known as the “six pack” muscles, are separating along the midline of the abdomen. This situation is caused by intense pressure from stretched muscles in the abdominal area. Individuals with diastasis recti may find that their stomach appears saggy and bulged, and also have weaker core strength.
Diastasis recti is quite prevalent among women in postpartum, as childbirth has made the growing uterus put pressure on the abdominal area. However, it can also happen to men and other women who are not pregnant, with factors such as intense weight transformation, improper core or strength exercises, or aging symptoms.
What Are The Symptoms?
There are several common signs to look out for diastasis recti, such as:
- A soft bulge in the middle of your abdomen
- Visible “coning” after lifting your head from lying down
- Lower back pain
- Issues with pelvic floor muscles, which may also include urinary incontinence
- Poor posture
If you believe that you have some of the symptoms above, it might be worth getting a proper assessment and consultation for the suitable treatment before it disrupts your daily comfort.
Diastasis Recti Treatment Options in Singapore
Diastasis recti can be treated and improved with the right approach. Several treatment options are available in Singapore, with effectiveness varying depending on the severity of the condition.
Physiotherapy
One of the first-line treatments that health providers commonly offer for diastasis recti is physiotherapy. This option is particularly recommended for mild to moderate cases, with a focus on core rehabilitation.
The treatment typically involves several exercises that cover core and pelvic floor health, along with guided breathing practice to help improve the abdominal muscles. For some cases, therapists may also recommend combining clinical pilates or yoga to improve core muscles and overall posture.
EMBody
Another non-surgical treatment option available in Singapore that is currently gaining attention is EMBody. Using High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology, the device can help stimulate intense muscle contractions more efficiently than exercise.
Physiotherapy can remain still as the first treatment to address diastasis recti, while EMBody can complement the recovery by accelerating the results. When guided core rehabilitation and EMBody are combined correctly, they can offer more well-rounded results to physical health.
In Singapore, EMBody treatment is available at Prologue Women’s Wellness in Ngee Ann City.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
For severe cases of diastasis recti where a non-surgical approach cannot give visible results, surgical methods may be considered. The surgical treatment for diastasis recti is called a tummy tuck, or some refer to it as abdominoplasty, which involves suturing the separated abdominal muscles and removing excess skin and fat.
Surgical method can definitely deliver faster and more visible results. However, it comes with a higher cost, health risks, such as scarring or infection, and longer downtime.
Finding the Right Provider for Diastasis Recti Treatment
Since women in the postpartum period have a higher chance of developing diastasis recti, it is important to get an early assessment to identify any signs of postpartum health concerns. If you are living in Singapore, Prologue Women’s Wellness offers comprehensive postpartum assessments, where a team of certified healthcare professionals will evaluate your overall health and provide a personalised treatment to improve your daily comfort.