Symptoms of Rectus Abdominis Diastasis
Disease description:
I heard that after giving birth, the abdomen remains loose and saggy, as if there is still a small belly that cannot be pulled back in. Sometimes one might also feel weakness in the abdominal area, along with lower back pain. Could this be rectus abdominis diastasis? What are its symptoms?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Common symptoms of rectus abdominis diastasis include:
1. Abdominal protrusion: After separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, the abdominal muscles lose their normal firmness and tone, causing the abdomen to bulge forward, forming a "pooch" or "false pregnancy" appearance. This occurs because the separation of the rectus muscles weakens the abdominal wall's structural support, allowing abdominal organs and fat to protrude forward.
2. Back and waist pain: As part of the core muscle group, the rectus abdominis contributes to spinal support. Its separation can weaken core strength, reducing spinal stability and potentially causing back and waist pain. The diminished support from the rectus abdominis increases stress on the spine, making it a significant contributing factor to back pain.
3. Abdominal weakness: Patients may experience a sensation of abdominal weakness or poor muscle control when performing activities that require abdominal effort, such as lifting heavy objects or doing sit-ups. This is due to impaired coordination among abdominal muscles caused by rectus diastasis, which reduces overall abdominal strength.
4. Difficulty with bowel movements or urination: Diastasis recti may interfere with normal regulation of abdominal pressure, potentially causing discomfort or difficulty during bowel movements or urination.
5. Reduced physical performance: Weakened core muscles may impair performance during daily activities and exercise, such as running or weightlifting.
