Woman holding side plank on pale blue mat in pale yellow sports bra and gray leggings
Pelvic health

Diastasis recti rehabilitation

£62–£82
30–60 mins
Ring clinic

Diastasis recti is the widening of the gap between the two halves of the abdominal muscle, which happens to almost everybody in late pregnancy and does not fully close again for some people. It is often noticed as a doming or a ridge down the middle of the tummy when sitting up, or as a stomach that still looks pregnant months afterwards.

The gap itself is only part of the picture. What matters more is whether the tissue between the two halves can transmit force, because that is what determines whether your midline holds when you lift, cough or sit up. That is what we assess, and it is why the width of the gap alone is a poor guide to how much of a problem you have.

More information

How do I know if I have it

The usual signs are a visible doming or coning along the midline when you lift your head off a pillow, a soft or hollow feeling down the centre of the tummy, and a lower abdomen that does not respond to exercise the way it used to. We measure the separation and, more usefully, test how well the midline copes under load.

Will it close on its own

Often it narrows considerably in the first few months without any intervention. If it is still causing you problems after that, or if the midline cannot manage load, it responds to a graded strengthening programme. What does not help is a long list of general core exercises done in a pattern that pushes the abdominal wall outwards, which is why crunches and plank challenges frequently make things look worse.

Can it be fixed years later

Yes, in the sense that function and appearance both usually improve. The muscle and connective tissue respond to appropriate loading whenever that starts. We would rather set out honestly what a programme can and cannot achieve at the assessment than promise you a flat stomach.

Do I need surgery

Very few people do, and it is not the first thing to consider. If we think a surgical opinion is genuinely warranted after a proper course of rehabilitation, we will say so.

Ring clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have diastasis recti?
The common signs are a visible doming or coning along the midline of the tummy when you lift your head off a pillow, a soft or hollow feeling down the centre, and a lower abdomen that no longer responds to exercise as it did. A physiotherapist measures the separation and, more importantly, tests how well the midline holds under load.
Does diastasis recti close on its own?
It often narrows a good deal in the first few months after birth without any treatment. If it is still causing problems after that, or if the midline cannot manage load, it responds to a graded strengthening programme rather than to time alone.
Are crunches and planks bad for diastasis recti?
They are frequently unhelpful early on, because both can push the abdominal wall outwards and increase the doming rather than restoring control. The issue is the pattern rather than the exercise, which is why a programme should be built after an assessment rather than taken from a general list.
Can diastasis recti be treated years after pregnancy?
Yes. Muscle and connective tissue respond to appropriate loading whenever it begins, and both function and appearance usually improve. We will be honest at the assessment about what a rehabilitation programme is likely to achieve in your case.

Available Team Members

These team members perform this service

  • Nikki Dyer, pelvic health physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Nikki Dyer, pelvic health physiotherapist at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has a straight brown bob and a warm smile, and wears a white polo shirt with navy collar and cuffs and an embroidered badge. The background is a softly blurred mix of evergreen and autumn foliage.
    Nikki Dyer
    Physiotherapist, pelvic health
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