2016

Diastasis Recti in Men: What You Need To Know

Diastasis Recti in Men: What You Need To Know
Diastasis recti in men could be a tear, a detachment or worse... but nothing that can't be fixed. Which begs the question what is diastasis recti?

Recently, I noticed that I was having a hard time using my core muscles.

I struggled with movements crucial to daily life; sitting up and getting out of bed, lifting, carrying, bending, stooping, and pretty much everything else. I would wake up in the mornings with severe back pain that continued throughout the day.

My body was clearly trying to tell me something.

livestrong article - 3 exercises

After researching my symptoms online, and performing a simple at-home test, I diagnosed myself with diastasis recti.

What is diastasis recti?


If you haven’t heard of diastasis recti, you’re not alone.

In fact, this common lingering condition is underdiagnosed by many healthcare providers. The resultant tummy bulge and lack of muscle tone are overlooked or dismissed as fat gain, beer gut, or just excess skin.

Though diastasis recti are most commonly found in women who have had one or more children, it can happen in men as well – and is usually caused, and exacerbated, by improper workout and lifting techniques.

Professional athletes are more susceptible.

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Diastasis recti are commonly explained as a separation of the muscles of the abdomen, specifically the rectus   abdominis muscle, creating a gap of 2.7 cm or more between them (roughly the width of two fingers ). More accurately though, diastasis recti are understood to be a stretching and thinning of the tissues of the abdomen. It’s considered a muscle injury that, when left unaddressed, many carry on for years. With diastasis recti, the abdominal muscles haven’t tightened to their optimal positions. The symptoms are fairly easy to spot once you know what to look for - but also easy to dismiss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn6g8VFD8Kw

Without proper attention, exercise adaptations, or workout modification, diastasis recti can linger on for years. Though not considered an urgent care emergency, when the internal organs don't have the full support of the abdominal muscles, men can experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Indicators include; difficulty performing certain movements or exercises, back pain, constipation, and (in rare cases) damage to the area with improper lifting which may even result in a hernia!

Visit your local health clinic or ask your physician to help you do a simple test for diastasis recti - you can also do the test at home.


Diastasis Recti and Fitness


It's important for men to be aware of the condition and be ready to change their activities after a diagnosis.  Some of the routine fitness moves that trainers regularly promote including exercises like crunches, sit-ups, pushups, press-ups, and front planks - will inadvertently make the abdominal separation worse , not better. Swimming, some yoga poses (like a downward dog), and doing anything on your hands and knees can also aggravate the injury especially athletes must be aware of the fact that sprained ankles, shin splints, tennis elbow, etc could lead to something eventually worse. Other activities that prevent muscles from knitting back together properly include lifting, twisting, jackknifing out of bed, and other moves that activate the core muscles in a “bulging” way.

Movements that help reknit the rectus   abdominis muscle safely include gentle and careful side-lying exercises, deep chest breathing, and mindful awareness and change of daily tasks. Pushing up on one’s side to get out of a chair or bed slowly will also help prevent more separation and begin healing the injury over time.

Diastasis Recti Resources


Paid courses and programs for those with diastasis recti are available( Fit 2 Be , The Tummy Team , or programs promoting the “Tupler Technique”), but there is also a wealth of free information, tutorials, and videos that explain how to change your daily movements and exercise routine to start your healing journey. To learn more about how diastasis recti affect guys , including how to check yourself at home and adapt your exercise routine and daily activities, start by viewing these free videos:

Remember the following


It’s important to heal the injury before starting a vigorous fitness routine.

Moderate to severe cases of diastasis recti can add extra undue hardship and superfluous back pain. Working out in proper form is already challenging enough: make it easier on your body and don’t waste your efforts, by taking the time to heal your injury and properly knit your abs back together before building up your core.

Healing your diastasis recti will take some conscious choices and mindful changes to your movements and postures, but I can personally attest that I am well on my way to healing my own diastasis recti by adopting only a handful of the recommended movements and techniques. I’m already feeling much improved and well on my way to recovery. In no time at all, I will be back to easily performing all the twisting and lifting moves that are so much a part of my daily life without the worry about worsening the injury.

What is the Tupler Technique? And can it help fix diastasis recti in men and women?


The Tupler Technique ® is a research and evidence-based exercise program to treat diastasis recti which is a separation of the abdominal muscles. Julie Tupler, RN, an expert in treating diastasis recti, has been working with women, men and children to help them close their diastasis since 1990. Closing a diastasis with the Tupler Technique® is all about healing connective tissue. Her program does this by:

1. Continuously approximating or bringing both the connective tissue and muscles closer together with the Diastasis Rehab Splint®. This takes the stretch off the “stretched-out” connective tissue and puts the connective tissue in a better position to heal and do the Tupler Technique® exercises. This also puts the outermost abdominal muscles in a better position to do the exercises. To strengthen abdominal muscles they must be close together and move from the front to back. When they are separated they will move sideways which not only does not strengthen the muscles but it stretches the connective tissue.

2. Protect the connective tissue from getting stretched from activities and movements that stretch it (i.e. crunches, forward crossover movements, downward-facing abdominals or movements that flare the ribs).

3. Develop transverse awareness and strength with the Tupler Technique® exercises so the transverse muscle can then be used with activities of daily living and also while working out. The Tupler Technique® exercises for diastasis recti will put tension on the “splinted” connective tissue which will help to make it stronger.

Making a diastasis smaller with the Tupler Technique® is also important before abdominal surgery (i.e. umbilical hernia) to prevent an incisional hernia and during pregnancy to prevent a C-section.




 
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