We Answer the Big Questions About Diastasis Recti!
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Why Do I Still Have a Belly Bulge After Birth? Understanding & Treating Diastasis Recti in Fort Myers & Cape Coral
Many women notice a lingering bulge or core weakness after giving birth — and it can feel frustrating, confusing, or even alarming.
One of the most common causes of this postpartum issue is something called diastasis recti. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what it is, how to identify it, and how expert care through pelvic floor physical therapy in Fort Myers can help you recover without surgery or long-term issues.
What Is Diastasis Recti?
During pregnancy, your body releases hormones that help soften and stretch your ligaments and connective tissues. While this is necessary for childbirth, it can also affect the connective tissue between your abdominal muscles.
As your baby grows, the tissue between the left and right sides of your abdominal wall can overstretch. When this tissue fails to return to its original position, it creates a separation — known as diastasis recti.
You can think of it like a rubber band stretched beyond its limit. It loses elasticity and can’t return to its former strength.
How Common Is It?
Approximately two-thirds of postpartum women experience diastasis recti. Many don’t even realize it’s happening because they’ve never been taught what to look for.
In fact, more than 50% of women still have an abdominal separation one year after delivery if it goes untreated.
Symptoms and Risks
If left untreated, diastasis recti may contribute to:
-
Core instability and weakness
-
Low back, hip, or pelvic pain
-
Urinary incontinence or constipation
-
Abdominal hernias
-
Increased severity with future pregnancies
Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk of diastasis recti if you:
-
Have had multiple pregnancies
-
Are over age 35 during pregnancy
-
Have a petite body frame
-
Carried twins or multiples
How to Check Yourself at Home
-
Lie flat on your back with knees bent.
-
Place your fingers just above your belly button, pointing down toward your toes.
-
Gently press your fingers into your stomach and do a small crunch.
-
If you feel your fingers sinking into a gap or notice bulging under your hand, it may indicate a separation.
A gap greater than two fingers wide is often considered clinically significant, but even smaller gaps should be addressed if symptoms are present.
Why Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer
Some women are told surgery — often categorized as a cosmetic “tummy tuck” — is the only fix. However:
-
It’s rarely covered by insurance
-
It can create risks for future pregnancies
-
There’s a chance of infection or complications from scar tissue
Others try abdominal binders. While they may offer temporary support, the benefits end when the binder comes off, and they can cause compensatory pain in the back or hips.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
At Back In Motion in Fort Myers, we offer specialized pelvic floor physical therapy in Fort Myers that is highly effective in treating diastasis recti.
Our expert therapists guide you through safe, progressive exercises that help re-approximate the abdominal muscles, build core strength, and support long-term healing. The right kind of physical therapy can even prevent the condition from recurring — or reduce the risk of developing it in the first place during future pregnancies.
It’s important to note that traditional core exercises may actually worsen diastasis recti. That’s why working with a trained professional is crucial.
Ready to Find Out If You Have Diastasis Recti?
You don’t have to live with pain, weakness, or uncertainty. Our team is here to help.
Claim your free 20-minute discovery visit to learn whether physical therapy is the right next step for you — no commitment required.
Call our Fort Myers clinic at 239-223-0484 or click below to schedule your session.
Request Your Free Discovery Session
Download Your Free Guide
Top 7 Simple Ways to End Diastasis Recti — Without Surgery, Painkillers, or Resting
Download Your Free Diastasis Recti Relief Guide
Why Do I Still Have a Belly Bulge After Birth? Understanding & Treating Diastasis Recti in Fort Myers & Cape Coral
Many women notice a lingering bulge or core weakness after giving birth — and it can feel frustrating, confusing, or even alarming.
One of the most common causes of this postpartum issue is something called diastasis recti. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what it is, how to identify it, and how expert care through pelvic floor physical therapy in Fort Myers can help you recover without surgery or long-term issues.
What Is Diastasis Recti?
During pregnancy, your body releases hormones that help soften and stretch your ligaments and connective tissues. While this is necessary for childbirth, it can also affect the connective tissue between your abdominal muscles.
As your baby grows, the tissue between the left and right sides of your abdominal wall can overstretch. When this tissue fails to return to its original position, it creates a separation — known as diastasis recti.
You can think of it like a rubber band stretched beyond its limit. It loses elasticity and can’t return to its former strength.
How Common Is It?
Approximately two-thirds of postpartum women experience diastasis recti. Many don’t even realize it’s happening because they’ve never been taught what to look for.
In fact, more than 50% of women still have an abdominal separation one year after delivery if it goes untreated.
Symptoms and Risks
If left untreated, diastasis recti may contribute to:
-
Core instability and weakness
-
Low back, hip, or pelvic pain
-
Urinary incontinence or constipation
-
Abdominal hernias
-
Increased severity with future pregnancies
Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk of diastasis recti if you:
-
Have had multiple pregnancies
-
Are over age 35 during pregnancy
-
Have a petite body frame
-
Carried twins or multiples
How to Check Yourself at Home
-
Lie flat on your back with knees bent.
-
Place your fingers just above your belly button, pointing down toward your toes.
-
Gently press your fingers into your stomach and do a small crunch.
-
If you feel your fingers sinking into a gap or notice bulging under your hand, it may indicate a separation.
A gap greater than two fingers wide is often considered clinically significant, but even smaller gaps should be addressed if symptoms are present.
Why Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer
Some women are told surgery — often categorized as a cosmetic “tummy tuck” — is the only fix. However:
-
It’s rarely covered by insurance
-
It can create risks for future pregnancies
-
There’s a chance of infection or complications from scar tissue
Others try abdominal binders. While they may offer temporary support, the benefits end when the binder comes off, and they can cause compensatory pain in the back or hips.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
At Back In Motion in Fort Myers, we offer specialized pelvic floor physical therapy in Fort Myers that is highly effective in treating diastasis recti.
Our expert therapists guide you through safe, progressive exercises that help re-approximate the abdominal muscles, build core strength, and support long-term healing. The right kind of physical therapy can even prevent the condition from recurring — or reduce the risk of developing it in the first place during future pregnancies.
It’s important to note that traditional core exercises may actually worsen diastasis recti. That’s why working with a trained professional is crucial.
Ready to Find Out If You Have Diastasis Recti?
You don’t have to live with pain, weakness, or uncertainty. Our team is here to help.
Claim your free 20-minute discovery visit to learn whether physical therapy is the right next step for you — no commitment required.
Call our Fort Myers clinic at 239-223-0484 or click below to schedule your session.
Request Your Free Discovery Session
Download Your Free Guide
Top 7 Simple Ways to End Diastasis Recti — Without Surgery, Painkillers, or Resting
Download Your Free Diastasis Recti Relief Guide
Call (239) 223-0484
