Diastasis Recti Specialist In The NYC Tri-State Area
At FemFirstHealth, we believe every woman deserves to feel strong, supported, and confident in her postpartum body. That’s why we not only treat diastasis recti, a common condition many women face after pregnancy, but also screen for it as part of every postpartum assessment.
Diastasis recti isn’t something you just have to live with. With the right care, education, and treatment, you can restore your core function, reduce your discomfort, and help you feel like yourself again.
In this article, we’ll explain what diastasis recti is, how we diagnose it, and what treatment looks like. Whether you’ve already received a diagnosis or are just starting to experience symptoms, you’re in the right place.
What is diastasis recti?
Diastasis recti, sometimes referred to as "mommy tummy", is a condition where the abdominal wall muscles, specifically the rectus abdominis, experience muscle separation. This happens when the connective tissue that runs down the center of the abdomen, known as the linea alba (or “white line”), becomes stretched and thinned, allowing the two sides of the muscle to pull apart. This can happen either partially or completely.
This separation often occurs during pregnancy due to your growing baby putting pressure on your abdominal wall. Diastasis recti is incredibly common, affecting up to 60% of women during or after pregnancy.
One of the telltale signs is a noticeable gap or bulge in the midline of the abdomen, sometimes visible above or below the belly button, especially when sitting up or straining the core.
Who is at risk of diastasis recti?
The connective tissue affected by diastasis recti can be thought of as a piece of plastic wrap which can easily be stretched and tugged. This stretching can often occur from:
Abdominal surgery
The most common cause for women is pregnancy.
What are symptoms of diastasis recti?
The rectus abdominis muscles work together with the lower back muscles to keep us stable. They provide the proper support for stabilizing the trunk and lumbar spine. When someone has diastasis recti, it means the rectus abdominis muscles cannot work like intended.
To compensate for the lack of support, the spine has to work overtime. This puts extra stress on the spine, which leads to back pain and poor core strength.
Other symptoms of diastasis recti may include:
Constipation
Urine leaking
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty moving normally
In extreme cases, the connective tissue may tear, causing complete separate of the abdominal muslces and the organs to poke out of the opening (also known as a hernia).
Women concerned about having diastasis recti can watch this short instructional guide to determine whether they may have this condition or not.
How do you treat diastasis recti?
At FemFirstHealth, we treat diastasis recti through personalized pelvic floor physical therapy, which is one of the most effective non-surgical approaches to healing muscle separation in the abdominal wall.
Our specialized treatment focuses on retraining the deep core and pelvic floor muscles to work together. Through targeted exercises, breathwork, postural alignment, and manual therapy techniques, we help restore function to the connective tissue between your abdominal muscles, reducing the gap and improving your strength.
Every patient receives a tailored plan developed by one of our pelvic floor physical therapists, because no two postpartum recoveries are the same.
In more severe cases where physical therapy alone may not fully resolve the issue, diastasis recti repair through plastic surgery may be recommended. This is often done through tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), which can restore the integrity of the abdominal wall and improve both function and appearance.
However, even when diastasis recti surgery is part of the treatment plan, physical therapy before and after surgery plays a critical role in improving outcomes, reducing complications, and supporting a smoother, more complete recovery.
All of our pelvic floor physical therapist are diastasis recti specialists and will be able to provide you with a personalized assessment and treatment plan. Start your recovery today by booking an appointment below.
Book Appointment
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a conservative, first-line treatment for diastasis recti.
We treat Diastasis recti in NYC at our Midtown and Upper West Side offices. locations.
Reach out to us to schedule an appointment by using our contact form or by calling us directly at (646) 678-3034.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to book a FREE 15-minute consultation call with one of our pelvic floor physical therapists!
FAQs
How do I know if I have diastasis recti?
To know whether you have diastasis recti, do the following test:
Lie down on your side and then roll onto your back.
Put one hand behind your head so you can lift it up when looking down on your stomach as you do the test. If you have diastasis, your abs will not function as well, so you want that extra support.
Form your fingers into claws and dig deep into your navel with your knuckles.
Feel if there is a gap and check how many fingers you can fit in there.
Do the same for the area 3 inches above and below your navel. Diastasis recti can occur in different places along the linea alba, so be thorough.
If you can fit more than 2 and a half fingers in your gap, you may have diastasis recti. At this point, contact a medical professional as soon as possible.
What does diastasis recti look like?
A stomach bulge is a common sign of diastasis recti. The middle of a healthy rectus abdominis should be a straight line. But if there is a noticeable, somewhat circular gap in the middle, that may be a sign of diastasis recti. See below for a photo of diastasis recti.
When is it too late to fix diastases recti?
Many women believe that if years have passed since childbirth, there’s no hope for healing diastasis recti, but that’s simply not true. Whether you’re a few months or several years postpartum, diastasis recti can still be treated effectively, especially through targeted and consistent core rehabilitation.
With the right guidance, including gentle, properly executed exercises that focus on the deep core and abdominal wall, the connective tissue can begin to regenerate and strengthen over time. The key isn’t intensity, it’s consistency, proper form, and the right therapeutic approach.
What happens if diastasis recti is left untreated?
If diastasis recti is left untreated, it can lead to a range of physical issues that may worsen over time. Since the abdominal wall plays a crucial role in core strength and stability, muscle separation can compromise the body’s ability to support everyday movements and posture.
Common complications of untreated diastasis recti may include:
Chronic lower back pain due to lack of core support
Pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence or prolapse
Poor posture and spinal misalignment
Abdominal discomfort or bloating
Visible bulging or “doming” around the belly button area
Difficulty with exercise, lifting, or physical activity