That Weird Space Between Your Abs Could be a Condition Called Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti can also cause back pain, constipation, leaking urine and in extreme cases, the abdominal muscle can tear, Schreiber says. Unfortunately, pushing incorrectly when giving birth and pushing while constipated (which happens a lot after birth) can make the condition worse. And once you’ve got diastasis recti, there is no cure for it — though there are treatments that can help reduce its appearance.
“There are several physical therapists who will recommend exercises to tighten the core,” says Dr. Melissa A. Doft at Doft Plastic Surgery. “In significant cases, I think surgical correction is the only option. This is a common repair performed during a tummy tuck. It is referred to as a rectus diastasis plication. The edges of the rectus muscle are sewn together, removing the space between them and creating an inner corset.”