I am a Clinical Exercise Physiologist trained in Diastasis Rehabilitation and can help you heal today!
What is a Diastasis Recti?
A Diastasis is a separation of the abdominal wall. This separation can leave you with a gap, resulting in a bulging belly near or around your belly button.
It is very common in women who have been pregnant due to their abdominal muscles being stretched outward within a short period of time. Many women feel that they still look pregnant several months after giving birth. This is the first sign that they may have a Diastasis Recti.
It is also very common in middle aged men. Men who believe they just have a "beer belly" may have an abdominal separation that is mimicking what a beer belly looks like.
What are the symptoms of a Diastasis Recti?
A bulging tummy
low back pain
digestive problems
prostate issues
incontinence
organ prolapse
general weakness/soreness
hip pain
upper back pain
What causes a Diastasis Recti?
chronic poor posture
incorrect breathing
bracing and bearing down during strenuous activity
crunches or sit ups
pregnancy
MEN
IF YOU ARE A MAN WHO HAS NOTICED A LARGER BELLY DESPITE YOUR NUTRITION AND EXERCISE EFFORTS, YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM DIASTASIS RECTI.
MANY MEN THINK THAT THEY ARE DEVELOPING A "BEER BELLY" WHEN THEY ARE ACTUALLY DEVELOPING A CORE WEAKNESS THAT CAUSES THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES TO SEPARATE AND WEAKEN, LEAVING A "POOCHING" EFFECT IN THEIR BELLY.
YOU MAY ALSO BE EXPERIENCING LOWER BACK PAIN, PROSTATE ISSUES, INCONTINENCE, CONSTIPATION, OR INTESTINAL PROBLEMS AS A RESULTS OF THIS. WE CAN HEAL YOU, FLATTEN YOUR BELLY, AND YOUR DIASTASIS CAN BE FIXED.
WOMEN
MOST WOMEN HAVE NEVER HEARD OF DIASTASIS RECTI UNTIL AFTER THEY HAVE GIVEN BIRTH. PREGNANCY IS A BODY DEMANDING PROCESS AND THE TUMMY GOES THROUGH A LOT OF GROWTH, STRETCHING, AND WEAKENING WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
IN SOME CASES, POST PREGNANCY, WHEN YOUR BODY IS WORKING ON GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES HAVE A HARD TIME COMING BACK TOGETHER ON THEIR OWN, ESPECIALLY IF THE SEPARATION IS LARGE.
MANY TIMES, YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU HAVE IT AND JUST THINK YOUR STOMACH WILL ALWAYS STICK OUT A LITTLE BIT. OR MAYBE YOU JUST HAVE LINGERING BACK PAIN FROM YOUR PREGNANCY THAT NEVER GOES AWAY. WE CAN ADDRESS THESE PAINS AND WEAKNESS AND FIX THEM ALTOGETHER.
PREGNANT
A COMMON QUESTION I RECEIVE IS WHETHER OR NOT A PREGNANT WOMAN CAN BE TREATED FOR DIASTASIS RECTI. THE ANSWER IS "YES!"
IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO START STRENGTHENING THE MUSCLES IN A SAFE WAY DURING PREGNANCY TO HELP PREVENT SEPARATION FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE AND ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOUR BELLY TO RETRACT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION POST PREGNANCY.
ABOUT ME
As a practicing Kinesiologist, I have worked with and helped hundreds of people achieve their goals. Whether it's weight loss, strength gains, body alignment, sleep patterns, anxiety, or overall wellness, many aspects of the body and mind can be treated with food, exercise, stretching, & strengthening. I have found that a common problem amongst a variety of people is an abdominal separation, or Diastasis Recti. Diastasis Recti means a weak core that can cause many issues such as lower back pain, hip pain, pelvic floor weakness, bad posture, constipation, and more.
EXPERIENCE
For the past ten years, I have been helping people lose weight, build muscle, gain confidence, and feel better overall. With a background in Biology, I hold a Masters Degree in Kinesiology and various certifications; ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, and I hold the Top Level of the ACSM Exercise is Medicine Credential. I currently practice as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Nutrition Counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have a thorough understanding of what it takes to change your life and create a healthy lifestyle after being overweight for years and finally losing 50lbs myself.