1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Physical Therapy

Diastisis Recti

by Laura Inverarity, D.O.
for About.com

Updated April 15, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board


Diastisis recti is a medical disorder that involves a separation of the right and left rectus abdominus muscle. It commonly occurs during pregnancy due to the expanding uterus under the abdominal musculature.

The line of separation can be palpated in the midline of the abdomen and is often more apparent during a valsalva effort. The degree of separation, and thus the severity of the condition, is measured in finger tip width distance between the right and left muscles. Strengthening of the abdominal muscles is important in prevention and recovery of diastisis recti.

Explore Physical Therapy
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Physical Therapy
  4. Women's Health Issues
  5. Diastisis recti >

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.