What is Diastasis Recti, anyway?

Jul 7

and Why Does It Matter?

Diastasis Recti (DR) is the natural separation of your abdominal muscles that happens during pregnancy to make room for your growing baby.

Totally normal. Totally expected.
But here’s the thing: It’s not supposed to last forever.

After birth, those deep core muscles need time, support, and specific movement to come back online. If the gap between your abdominals stays wide—or if the connective tissue remains weak—it can lead to:

Low back pain
Core weakness or “pooch” belly that won’t budge
Pelvic floor dysfunction (hello, leaks or pressure)
A body that just doesn’t feel as strong, stable, or supported as it could

This isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about coming home to your body—feeling strong from the inside out, and safe in your own skin.

Healing diastasis recti means retraining your deep core and breath patterns, learning how to move intentionally, and letting your body recover the way it’s designed to.

At Body Rich Movement, we don’t rush or shame the process.
We rebuild—layer by layer—with movement, breath, and awareness.

You can feel strong again. You can trust your core.

So how do you fix it?

It’s Not Just About the Gap

DR is more about function than just measuring finger widths.
What matters most is how the tissue responds (is it taut, or sinking in?), and whether the core is working as a team again.

Healing Takes Time—but It’s Absolutely Possible

Many people start to see improvement in 6–12 weeks with proper breath and movement.
Full healing can take several months or more, especially if the core hasn’t been reconnected.

It Can Be Healed Years Later

DR doesn’t expire. You can begin healing any time postpartum, even years down the road.

Crunches & Planks Aren’t the Answer

Certain movements can worsen DR if done too soon or without deep core support.
Instead, we start with breathwork, 360 core engagement, and functional movement.