Exercise is the most commonly used technique for diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA). Although numerous studies confirm the positive effect of exercise on reducing the IRD distance, there is no generally accepted therapeutic protocol.

With abnormal posture, postural training will be useful so that the patient knows how to adopt the correct posture. It is also important to train the correct movement and lifting of objects.

So far, there is no consensus among researchers as to which abdominal muscle exercises are effective in reducing DRA. One method involves using exercises of the transversus abdominal muscle and avoiding exercises of the rectus abdominis muscle so as not to potentially exacerbate DRA. The other method involves activating the rectus abdominis muscle. In practice, exercises of the transverse abdominal muscle are more commonly used. However, some authors do not confirm these exercise suggestions. In addition to the traditional exercises of the transversus abdominal muscle, it is worth including other methods that strengthen this muscle, such as Pilates or functional training. Some authors suggest including pelvic floor muscle exercises that activate the transversus abdominal muscle. 10-15% of the pelvic floor muscle tension activates the transversus abdominal muscle, independently of the contraction of the oblique abdominal muscles and the rectus abdominis muscle. Adequate tension of the white crease is essential to transfer forces between the sides of the abdominal muscles, resulting in better abdominal control and a better cosmetic effect. It seems that the optimal strategy in DRA therapy is to combine the activity of the two types of abdominal muscles, but this still needs to be confirmed.

What to avoid:

• exercises that cause the abdominal wall to bulge,
• exercises that engage the oblique abdominal muscles,
• raising the lower limbs off the ground while lying on your back,
• all crunches,
• frontal planks,
• intensive coughing without abdominal support,
• lifting heavy objects,

Example exercise:
Starting position – lying on your back, legs bent, feet resting on the ground. Then tense the abdominal muscles, draw the bent leg towards the abdomen, then lower the leg and relax the abdominal muscles.

Antonina Kaczorowska

References:

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